United States: Research matching funds requirement proposed in US Farm Bill

States and Federal commodity boards be required to match dollar-for-dollar any federally funded applied research or extension in the United States if proposed language in the Farm Bill is passed. House members supporting the provision say it is intended to engage stakeholders and make the different programs more consistent in their funding formulas.

Critics of required matching funds say that it would hurt those who have been historically disadvantaged in the Federal funding process, including organic farmers.

Researchers say that the provision will discourage applied research and information dissemination. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has called for removal of this provision.

(Text: Brian Baker, FiBL)

Further information

Links

• Agriculture-House.gov: Full Text of the House of Representatives version of the 2012 Farm Bill
• SustaionableAgriculture.net: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Path to the 2012 Farm Bill