National Issues Task Force Update
Jonathan Moore
ASHS National Issues Consultant

The American Society for Horticultural Science returned to the site of its very first annual meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, this past July. The ASHS National Issues Task Force (NITF) was very active throughout the conference.

Hosted by chair, Thomas Björkman of Cornell University, the NITF’s conference session outlined two strategies—1) capitalizing on horticulture’s current contributions and promoting those benefits and research programs before Congress, and 2) broadening this acquired knowledge into new issue areas. Some of these new advocacy areas include food safety, global climate change, bioenergy, urban horticulture and buy local initiatives, turfgrass research, and promoting horticulture as a catalyst for healthy diets and mitigating potential healthcare costs. “There is no time like the present for promoting horticulture’s many benefits,” said Björkman. “Much of today’s public demands for healthier foods and cleaner environments call for horticulture-based solutions—from combating obesity and creating disease-resistant plants to increasing concerns over water quality and climate change. This continues to be an exciting time for ASHS’ National Issues Task Force and our advocacy mission to promote your work in Washington.” As Congress tackles issues covering a broad spectrum of American life, the NITF vowed to redouble its efforts as a key player in the agricultural policy arena—especially in areas where research plays such a pivotal role.

Dr. Bjorkman and I reviewed accomplishments and current issues covered during 2008–09, and listed the NITF’s goals for the coming year. Among issues accomplished and/or ongoing:

• Successful passage of the 2008 farm bill with measurable increases for research including a new Horticulture Title (Title X)
• Monitoring ARS initiatives and CSREES formula and competitive research grant programs for 2009–10
• Increasing ASHS advocacy and participation with the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBG) under USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service
• Continue ASHS outreach to state departments of agriculture regarding SCBG and other potential research sources jointly funded by states and land-grant institutions
• Promote research funding for organic production, and for producers transitioning to organic farming practices
• Funding research for pest and disease mitigation programs as outlined in the 2008 Farm Bill
• Funding the second fiscal phase ($5 million) of the new and innovative National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program—a program of special importance to tree fruit, berry, and viticulture producers, as well as those in the ornamental plant and nursery industries
• Promoting greater use of fruits and vegetables in daily diets; support establishment of additional farmers market outlets, especially in “urban desert” zones; and, support efforts to combat obesity in all age groups
• Working with the Specialty Crop Alliance to achieve greater flexibility for non-federal 1:1 matching grant requirements with CSREES’ Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)
• Keeping relevant agriculture committees (and other research-based congressional panels) apprised of ASHS’ expertise and interest for promoting horticulture research as an integral component within the scientific community
• Establishing ties with the new USDA Undersecretary for Research, Education, & Economics (REE), and monitoring CSREES transition to its new title of National Institutes for Food & Agriculture (NIFA)
• Working with a broad coalition supporting increased incremental annual funding for the Agriculture Food & Research Initiative (AFRI), a multi-faceted competitive grant program under CSREES (merged from NRI and IFAFS)
• Support funding within REE budget for USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

With these issues continuing to have an impact on competitive research programs, our session also defined new issues for pursuit in the year ahead. The NITF views these new issues as potential recipients of hort research—providing valuable dividends while complimenting more traditional competitive grants for food, fiber, fuel, and ornamentals. Specifically, new issue advocacy areas for the coming year as defined by NITF are:

• Food Safety policies with workable arrangements between USDA and other federal agencies
• Climate change
• Adequate funding of the 2010 Horticulture Census by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
• Participation when appropriate with NASS’ Advisory Committee on Agricultural Statistics
• Bioenergy research using non-agronomic sources
• Promote Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs as part of “Buy Local” movements—especially in urban areas
• Establish new inroads with turfgrass research
• Support ongoing digitization and archival documentation initiatives with USDA’s National Agricultural Library
• Create a brochure describing ASHS research and its benefits for distribution to congressional offices and other contacts

The NITF’s expanded advocacy outreach directly correlates to issues that the Society deems worthy of consideration as it pertains to competitive and formula research funding. In keeping with this conference’s theme of bold and innovative experimentation, my advocacy efforts—and those of your fellow NITF members—might be best described by culling a few lines from John Clark’s Presidential addressed delivered at the Annual Business Meeting on 27 July.

Trumpeting a theme of “New Challenges, New Opportunities,” President Clark recounted horticultural science’s monumental growth in recent years, specifically referencing greater recognition and appreciation of its contributions by lawmakers and the general public. He also acknowledged many ASHS pioneers in various fields contributing to this progress, and urged Society members and their affiliates to boldly meet exciting challenges that lay ahead. “Inspiration in horticulture derives from our most basic needs in life—healthy diets, environmental stewardship, and enhancement of our physical and mental existence on Earth,” he said. “With new technologies leading to new approaches for creative research, we should view each challenge as a primer for the next big thing.” Matching President Clark’s rhetorical summons to a “New Frontier” for research, I match a few of his phrases for defining NITF’s own trek into new policy spheres, along with our continued strategies for creative advocacy.

Finally, President Clark’s “multiplier effect” reference to horticulture is demonstrably evident these days in the halls of power and influence in Washington, DC. Given specialty crops’ enormous legislative progress these past two years, there is greater realization and appreciation for horticulture’s embodiment of our basic needs. Those needs and benefits are bipartisan in nature, permeate all congressional districts, and form a foundation for many crucial aspects of our vibrant economy. As we continue broadening our contacts with Congress, USDA, and other federal agencies, new and existing issues discussed in St. Louis will form the NITF’s core policy agenda for 2009–10.

ASHS’ exploratory efforts in the policy arena began in earnest almost three years ago. Aided by a supportive USDA, a landmark omnibus farm bill, a renewed commitment for funding competitive research at USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics agency, and a supportive Congress, your National Issues Task Force and I will continue building on this momentum to further expand ASHS’ profile and its achievements.