INFLATION

rice and nutritious fruits and vegetables comparatively underexplored.

Public-sector research spending, which often supports research at universities and international research organizations like CGIAR, can help fill this gap. Public-sector research also benefits society broadly by exploring areas including food safety, animal health, environmental issues, water resources and increasing crop yields in developing countries to fight global hunger and malnutrition.

Due to its range of benefits, agricultural research has an extremely high return on investment – one continued from page 2 recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study showed $20 in benefits to the economy for every one dollar spent.

Yet in recent years, this area has suffered from an extreme lack of investment. Since 1995, agricultural research funding from within federal and state governments has declined in real terms, from about $6.5 billion down to $5.2 billion as of 2019, a drop of 20 percent in 2019 dollars.

During the same period, inflation-adjusted public sector spending in all research areas in the U.S. increased by almost 150 percent.

While the U.S. has

MAY 24, 2023 • 10 AM

CONVERSE COUNTY LIBRARY

DOUGLAS BRANCH

300 WALNUT STREET, DOUGLAS, WY

This is your opportunity to voice your opinion on how Farm Bill funds should be allocated in Converse, Natrona and Niobrara counties.

The public and any agencies with an interest in conservation issues are invited to participate in a Local Work Group meeting.

The 2018 Farm Bill states that conservation programs must continue to be locally led. Through stakeholder meetings, the public is given an opportunity to help local conservation leaders set program priorities. These meetings are open to the public.

Attendance in person is encouraged. Participation online or by phone will be available through Microsoft Teams. Contact Michelle at (307) 624-3151 for a Teams invitation.

Converse County - Kaitlin Hasler (307) 624-3146, kaitlin.hasler@usda.gov

Natrona County - Kenny Wolfley (307) 462-5598, kenneth.wolfley@usda.gov

Niobrara County - Clint Anderson (307) 334-2953, clint.anderson@usda.gov become complacent about its technical advantage, China and Brazil have scaled up public sector spending on agricultural research, threatening U.S. agriculture’s competitive edge.

USDA is committed to providing inclusive and accessible programs and events for all participants. If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, contact Edward Berg, NRCS Business Support Specialist at 307-233-6776 by May 19, 2023. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Upcoming farm bill

Now, the U.S. has a timely opportunity to reverse this dangerous trend.

Congress is currently discussing the next farm bill, which comes up for reauthorization every five years. There are a number of ways Congress could support agricultural R&D in this legislation, which my organization, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, recently outlined in a new report produced jointly with Farm Journal Foundation.

One solution could be to increase funding for agricultural research at USDA agencies in regular, yearly intervals, an idea also put forward by the proposed America Grows Act, which we expect to be reintroduced this year.

This incremental approach was successful in increasing long-term funding for the National Institutes of Health, and it could be duplicated for agriculture.

In addition, Congress could expand funding for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), a public-private partnership first established under the 2014 Farm Bill.

FFAR is required to match public funds with outside investments, often from the private sector.

Since its inception, FFAR has matched every dollar of federal support with an average $1.40 in non-federal funding – making it a highly efficient use of taxpayer money which has generated significant new funds for innovation.

In addition to expanding FFAR funding, Congress could broaden its mandate to make it the premier public-private partnership for agricultural research across the federal government, encouraging agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and others to take advantage of its matching model to increase R&D investments relating to agriculture.

This past year has shown just how vulnerable our food system is to shocks, and farmers and consumers are paying the ultimate price. To protect our food supplies, national security, farming livelihoods and economic growth, we must do more to support agricultural innovation.

With the upcoming farm bill, Congress has a golden opportunity to invest in the future of the U.S. food and agriculture sector and ensure consumers have access to safe and affordable food for generations to come.

Dan Glickman is a former U.S. agriculture secretary and member of Congress from Kansas. He serves as a distinguished fellow for the Center on Global Food and Agriculture at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and as a board member for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research. This opinion column was originally published in AgriPulse on April 3.

What’s Cooking, Good Looking?

It’s here, it’s finally here! I’m not sure if I have ever been as excited for green grass and warm temperatures as I have been this year.

We have officially jumped into spring work here on the ranch, so I figured I would whip up a new breakfast treat to offer up to the branding, gathering, shipping,

Cinnamon Bun Scones

Ingredients docking and day-work crews.

The general consensus so far is “Don’t lose that recipe,” which I have interpreted to mean it passes muster.

Do you have any branding or docking meals that are an absolute must have? Send them my way, I’d love to hear from you!

1/2 c. toasted chopped pecans

2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats

1/4 c. granulated sugar

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. unsalted butter, cold and cut into ½-inch cubes

2/4 c. milk

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Glaze

3/4 c. confectioners’ sugar

3 to 4 tsp. milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine the toasted pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbles – I cheated, I threw this all in my Ninja with the dough attachment and it did a great job!

Next, combine the milk, egg and vanilla in a small bowl. Add to the flour mixture and stir just until combined.

Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the dough and gently stir until the dough has a nice cinnamon swirl.

Drop the dough in one-fourth cup portions onto the prepared pans, leaving about two inches between scones. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the scones to cool for five minutes on a wire rack while making the glaze.

To make the glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar with three teaspoons of milk. Add more milk if necessary to make the glaze a pouring consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the warm scones. Enjoy!

Tressa Lawrence lives and works on her family’s cattle ranch, where she runs cattle, cooks a few meals and juggles freelance writing and photography. Comments can be sent to lawrenceranchbeefco@gmail.com.