ASHS National Issues Task Force Update Session

Objective(s):
The National Issues Task Force has been focused on implementation of the new funding horticulture received in the Farm Bill last year, and on building relationships with new legislators on key committees. The session will provide highlights of the year's successes and plans for next year from consultant Jonathan Moore and NTIF chair Thomas Björkman as well specialists on specific initiatives. In the past year, NITF established member liaisons in many states to follow their State Department of Agriculture's process for implementing the substantial new funding in the Specialty Crops Block Grants and to advocate for research and extension funding. The Specialty Crops Research Initiative provided a great opportunity for planning more broadly and a challenge in developing a wholly new kind of project. Legislators we visited are very supportive of horticultural research and extension, particularly in relation to local foods, food safety and rural or urban economic development. In the coming year, we see interesting opportunities to increase funding both to do translational biology with horticultural outcomes and to do plant breeding. There are opportunities for any member to help contribute. One of NITFs goals is to identify actions that take advantage of your unique situation to have the greatest impact. The workshop will be a good opportunity to find out how you can contribute easily. Chair: Thomas Björkman