Photos courtesy of Jonathan Moore, Public Affairs Consultant
Thomas Björkman, associate professor in the Department of Horticulture, traveled to Washington, D.C., May 10 as part of a delegation representing the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). The group visited Capitol Hill and U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate legislators and staff about the need for continued funding of horticultural research and extension in the FY12 budget and the next Farm Bill.
“There is a passion for budget cutting in Washington today, a passion that makes it essential for these decision makers to understand the immense value taxpayers get from investments in horticultural research and extension,” says Björkman. “Horticulture improves everyone’s life every day, but few realize how much research and extension is needed for that to happen.”
Björkman (right), chair of ASHS’s National Issues Task Force, thanks Roger Beachy, outgoing director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, for his service to agricultural research.
In the hearing room of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Björkman (left) makes a point with Stacy McBride, Minority Staff Clerk for the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.
ASHS members meet with USDA Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics, Dr. Catherine Wotecki, and outgoing NIFA Director. Dr. Roger Beachy.
Björkman inspects pea plot at the People’s Garden outside USDA Headquarters.