Wyden, Crapo Introduce Farm Bill Amendment Focused on NW Research

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, and Idaho’s Mike Crapo introduced an amendment to the Senate Farm Bill Tuesday.  Their proposal would increase the ability of the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research to receive federal grant funding.  Research at the Center focuses on blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, apricots and others.  Wyden said this groundbreaking research will help improve crop development, and improve Oregon agriculture overall.

“Our bipartisan amendment takes advantage of so much of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer – from our internationally renowned blueberries and raspberries, to our cutting-edge research that allows American and Oregon farmers to grow some of the best crops in the world.”

The Center is a joint effort by Oregon State University, Washington State University, the University of Idaho and USDA’s ARS.  The Senate is expected to consider their version of the Farm Bill this week.

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