Congressman Flood Highlights USDA’s Precision Ag Research Center at UNL to Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood testified before the House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Congressman Flood’s testimony emphasized the work and progress of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) at the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture.
Video of the testimony can be found here while text of Congressman Flood’s remarks is provided below. News outlets are welcome to use the footage for their reporting purposes.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Bishop. Thank you for the opportunity to share some updates about an important project that this subcommittee has been very good to over the course of my tenure. It was originally introduced by my predecessor, Congressman Fortenberry.
Specifically, I'd like to call your attention to this project: It's the USDA Research National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture. It’s located on the Innovation Campus at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and it will anchor a national network comprised of ARS research units and land grant universities committed to addressing one of the most critical science gaps to advancing innovation in American agriculture.
This committee has been really good to this project over the years. We are still working to land this. I am requesting $16 million as my top priority CPF request for FY27.
As we approach the final years of the required construction funding, we must keep up the momentum to secure significant construction funds in FY27. Congress appropriated $11.2 for initial planning back in FY21, then $20 million in FY22, $25 million in FY24, and most recently $16 million in FY26, all for the construction of this facility. This is also the top priority for U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, who's an appropriator in the 'upper chamber.'
USDA broke ground in the first phase of construction in May 2024. This includes a 15,000 square foot greenhouse and a 10,000 square foot headhouse space connecting with the existing UNL greenhouse innovation center. The second phase of construction, which will begin when Congress appropriates all funds, will go towards constructing laboratories and office space on the Innovation Campus.
During the groundbreaking in May 2024, USDA leadership, members of the congressional delegation, university leaders, stakeholders, and producers across the state and region were there to support this new facility.
Last June, I had the pleasure of hosting Chairman [Tom] Cole in Lincoln to share firsthand the transformative vision guiding this project. Last month, the ARS Administrator visited the University of Nebraska to observe firsthand the significant potential of this facility and its research for advancing agriculture across the country.
Precision Ag is a key piece of our agricultural fabric. It makes sense that this project is in the Cornhusker State. You might know this already, but we have the largest freshwater underground aquafer in North America. It's basically our secret weapon, and we since 1955 have gone out of our way to manage that resource.
So, we have a history in precision agriculture. This project helps us further that cause.
It's home to The Combine, the Heartland Robotics Cluster, which supports small businesses and spin-offs from ag research. These small businesses are driving student entrepreneur interest in precision ag in Nebraska.
I think you're well aware of the project. It is making a difference. The greenhouse is under construction right now. We are well on our way to finishing this project. We have a couple of more years to go, but as we have gone along, you should know the state legislature has also put $30 million into this project. And this will not just serve Nebraska. It will serve everyone in America.
With that, I yield back.