U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $25,000,000 for the construction of a new Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Sen. Fischer also secured funding to support both the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at UNL and the National Ag Data Cooperative that is led by UNL.
The bill, which must still be voted upon by the Senate and House, was advanced today by the Senate Appropriations Committee by a bipartisan vote of 28-0 as a first key step.
“Nebraska is becoming a world-renowned leader in agricultural research. I’m proud to have pushed for these critical projects, which will cement our state’s position as a hub for ag innovation and support family farmers and ranchers. I will continue to use my position on the Appropriations Committee to champion high-impact investments that empower producers and aid rural communities,” said Sen. Fischer.
Additional details on the Nebraska projects Senator Fischer secured are below:
Nebraska Bill Highlights
ARS National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture
Project Purpose: Construction of the ARS National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture
Project Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Amount Secured: $25,000,000
NDMC at UNL
Program Details: NDMC, along with government agencies, produce the U.S. Drought Monitor and help build resiliency to drought.
Program Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Amount Secured: $3,000,000
National Ag Producers Data Cooperative
Project Purpose: Promote collaboration between researchers and stakeholders to develop a framework for a standardized, secure system to process agricultural data.
Project Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Amount Secured: $1,000,000
Senator Fischer also secured language that would:
· Prioritize ARS research critical for the beef industry at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska
· Require flavored low fat and fat free milk to be eligible to be served in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program