Ft Wayne Times

Congressman Jim Baird and Representative Andrea Salinas have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing agricultural research through collaboration between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The legislation, named the NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act, seeks to bolster the partnership between these two agencies to promote research and development that supports agricultural sustainability with advanced technology.

"As a farmer myself, our agriculture industry should have access to cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, to transform farming practices, improve severe weather predictions, better protect our crops, and grow crop yields," stated Congressman Baird. He emphasized that collaboration in research is essential for driving innovation and addressing challenges within the agricultural sector.

Representative Salinas highlighted the potential benefits of the bill for rural communities by developing workforce pathways and ensuring local producers can utilize new technologies. "Our bill will empower the National Science Foundation and Department of Agriculture to collaborate on research, development, and educational activities related to agriculture," she said. Salinas also noted that climate change poses increasing challenges for farmers, which ultimately affects consumers through higher grocery prices. She expressed gratitude for Congressman Baird's partnership on this initiative.

The proposed legislation aims to foster innovative solutions by combining efforts from both organizations in tackling pressing issues faced by farmers due to changing environmental conditions.