WASHINGTON – House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott and Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Subcommittee Chair Stacey Plaskett issued the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarding funding to 1890 Land Grant University Centers of Excellence:

“Today’s announcement of USDA investing in the 1890 Centers of Excellence is great news and will go a long way in working to build more talented young minds for our food and agricultural sector, to ensure the success and prosperity of our smaller farmers and ranchers,, and fighting hunger across the globe,” said Chairman Scott. “The 1890 Land Grant Universities are something I have long fought for, and they are playing key roles in our ability to diversify American agriculture and bridge the gap in underserved communities. I look forward to continuing this work with Secretary Vilsack and his expert team at USDA.”

Chair Plaskett added, “As the Chair of the Subcommittee that oversees USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), I’m pleased to see this critical funding made available to these Centers of Excellence. All four of these institutions are absolutely vital to their communities, but also our agricultural future. The academic and career opportunities at the Centers of Excellence offer new opportunities for young people looking to get involved in food and agriculture, and will serve as a bridge between our food and ag sector and the 1890s.”