Science Policy Report

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02 April 2019

In This Issue:

Policy News

Science and Society News

International Corner

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Policy News

The Senate Budget Committee unveiled a 2020 budget resolution that ignores President Trump's request for increased defense with a budget that proposes a net decrease in both defense and nondefense spending. The Senate's proposal, stuck to the drastic cuts mandated by law, putting defense spending at $576 billion and nondefense spending at $542 billion, which together amount to a $126 billion drop from current spending caps. But the Senate resolution also includes language that would allow defense spending to rise to $750 billion if a legal deal were reached to raise the caps. Conversely, House Democrats introduced a plan to raise spending caps by $51 billion. House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) introduced legislation that would increase the nondefense cap to $631 billion in 2020, a $34 billion increase, and the defense cap to $664 billion, a $17 billion increase. In 2021, the caps would rise to $646 for nondefense and $680 for defense. 


 
 

While Democrats are rallying around calls from their base for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many GOP lawmakers are offering climate solutions of their own. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) presented one of the latest examples by calling for a "new Manhattan Project for Clean Energy" that would double energy research funding and promote GOP-friendly approaches to reducing greenhouse gas pollution, such as nuclear energy or technology to capture carbon dioxide from coal plants. And Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of Trump's closest allies, is drafting a "Green Real Deal" resolution that would acknowledge climate change as a security threat while avoiding calls for sharp reductions in fossil fuels. Read the full article.
 

Science and Society News

As the United States continues to search for a geological repository that can accept the nation’s high level nuclear waste, deep salt formations have emerged as a top candidate for safe, long-term disposal.  High level nuclear waste, often capable of generating significant heat, includes spent nuclear fuel from civilian reactors. In the 2019 issue of the Vadose Zone Journal, researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory report data from a 9 month operational test of a full-scale heated nuclear waste canister mock-up in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant facility. The team found that the thermal behavior of the mined salt used to cover the heated canister could be represented well in numerical simulations using existing salt property models.  Further, simulations show that the canister covered with dry mined salt behaves like a chimney. Flowing air pulls moisture away from the canister and out the top of the salt pile. Read the full article.
 

The American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America will host approximately 4,000 scientists, professionals, educators, and students at the 2019 International Annual Meeting, "Embracing the Digital Environment," on November 10-13, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas. This premier scientific meeting provides unlimited networking opportunities, scientific abstracts, oral and poster sessions, a robust exhibit hall, technical workshops, and professional and destination tours. Learn more and register here.
 

The ASA, CSSA, SSSA Career Center promotes and encourages opportunities in the agronomic, crop, soil, and environmental sciences and offer free postings for your internship programs. Post your positions year-round and reach qualified students in our sciences! 
 

Most discussions about fighting climate change focus on electricity and the need for renewable energy. De-carbonizing the way we generate electricity would be a huge step, but it won’t be enough if we don’t reach zero net emissions from every sector of the economy within 50 years (and make a serious dent in the next ten). That includes the agriculture, forestry, and land use sector, which is responsible for 24 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions—just one percentage point less than electricity. I wish agricultural innovation got as much attention as the impact on climate change from electricity, because its success is just as critical to stopping climate change. Future changes in income and population may come close to doubling the current environmental impacts of the food system. I believe creative, scalable solutions to this challenge are out there, and now is the time to invest in their R&D. Read the full article.
 

A newly released report shows how U.S. farmers — facing a surge of weather events and disease outbreaks — can increase production and revenues with innovations produced by federally funded agricultural research, but warns that more investment in agricultural research is needed to prevent falling further behind China. According to the report issued by the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation and 20 FedByScience research institutions, agricultural research and development (R&D) funding has an estimated return on investment of 20 to 1. While other federal research investments have grown, however, the report said U.S. agricultural research funding has stagnated. China, on the hand, invests nearly twice as much as the U.S. in agricultural science. Read the full artcile.
 

Food safety regulations increasingly pressure growers to remove hedgerows, ponds, and other natural habitats from farms to keep out pathogen-carrying wildlife and livestock. Yet, this could come at the cost of biodiversity, making the farmland less hospitable to pollinators and other beneficial insects or birds. New research published in the Journal of Applied Ecology encourages the presence of dung beetles and soil bacteria at farms as they naturally suppress E. coli and other harmful pathogens before spreading to humans. Read the full article.
 

The dramatic improvement of maize grain yield in the US over the last century is well documented but has not occurred uniformly across the country, especially in recent decades. Specifically, genetic improvement of maize for Texas and Southern U.S. states has remained stagnant compared to the U.S. Corn Belt. New adapted inbreds are needed for producing hybrids which are more productive under longer growing seasons, as well as under stresses such as heat, drought, and disease in these climates. In a paper recently published in the Journal of Plant Registrations, researchers report on the development and release of five such inbred lines, uniquely bred from tropical germplasm but adapted to the climate and stresses of the southern U.S. Read the full article.
 

As Nebraskans begin returning to their homes in the aftermath of widespread historic flooding, Nebraska Extension has mobilized a number of resources to aid in the road to recovery. Those affected by the flood are likely unsure of where to begin. Extension encourages individuals returning to homes and properties to first take steps to ensure their safety. When a home or building is flooded, there is likely damage to the structure. Buildings need to be thoroughly dried, and before drinking water it is critical to test domestic wells for bacteria. Also, be cautious when working in and around contaminated floodwater. Read the full article.
 

Please join the American Geoscience Institute (AGI) on Wednesday April 17 at 1:00pm EDT for the next free Critical Issues Webinar, “Identifying and Reducing Landslide Risk.” In this one-hour webinar, experts in landslide characterization, mapping, and risk reduction will discuss landslide impacts in the United States; landslide research and mapping at the federal, state, and local levels; funding mechanisms for landslide mapping; and strategies for engaging communities in landslide risk reduction. CEUs/CECs available. Learn more about the webinar and register. 
 

ASA and SSSA offer free trial memberships that provides an in-depth look our associated benefits, without the up-front commitment of member dues. The Trial Memberships, gives the opportunity to take a tour, become familiar with ASA, SSSA, our members, and our benefits. If you like what you see and believe, as we do, that this is a valuable addition to your networking and information needs, join and become a member. Already a member? Then invite a colleague to join our Societies and spread the word by sharing these links to future members for details! ASA Membership and SSSA Membership.
 

International Corner

Global carbon levels reached a record high last year, as surging demand for fossil fuels in the United States and Asia sent emissions soaring, the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris reported. The 33.1 gigatons of energy-related carbon dioxide reported in 2018 represents a 1.7% increase over the previous year. Surging energy consumption fueled by strong economic growth in the United States and Asia was the primary cause of the emissions spike, the agency said. Global energy consumption was up 2.3% in 2018, roughly double the average annual growth rate since 2010. Fossil fuels met almost 70% of the new demand for the second year running, with demand for natural gas especially strong. Read the full article.
 

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) is seeking applications for the Egg-Tech Prize, a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to revolutionize global egg production by preventing the culling of male chicks. The Egg-Tech Prize encourages the development of innovative technologies that will determine a chick’s sex prior to incubation, which may allow male eggs to be directed into the food supply or vaccine production. The Prize will also foster competition and build momentum to support scientific breakthroughs, from concept to prototype development, to provide practical solutions for the egg industry. Phase I deadline, May 15. Read the full announcement.
 

The overall goal of the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is to support the development and implementation of research, extension and higher education programs to improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices. NIFA administers the ORG program by determining priorities in U.S. agriculture through Agency stakeholder input processes in consultation with the NAREEEAB. ORG will continue to prioritize environmental services provided by organic farming systems in the area of soil conservation, pollinator health, and climate change mitigation, including greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as the development of educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices, and development of cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. It is expected that all projects will integrate research, education and extension activities, as appropriate to project goals, although some projects may be weighted more heavily than others in one or more of these areas. However, all proposals should have activities and impact in research and at least one of the other areas: education and extension. Deadline, May 16. Read the full announcement.
 

The purpose of this grant program is to support potato research programs that focus on varietal development and testing and potato varieties for commercial production. As used herein, varietal development and testing is research using conventional breeding and/or biotechnological genetics to develop improved potato varieties. Aspects of evaluation, screening and testing must support variety development. Deadline, May 21. Read the full announcement.
 

The purpose of this program is to support research, education/teaching, and extension projects that increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in STEM. NIFA intends this program to address educational needs within broadly defined areas of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. Applications recommended for funding must highlight and emphasize the development of a competent and qualified workforce in the FAHN sciences. WAMS-funded projects improve the economic health and viability of rural communities by developing research and extension initiatives that focus on new and emerging employment opportunities in STEM occupations. Projects that contribute to the economic viability of rural communities are also encouraged. Deadline, May 21. Read the full announcement.
 

The purpose of this competitive undergraduate scholarship grant program is to increase the multicultural diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce, and advance the educational achievement of all Americans by providing competitive grants to colleges and universities. Deadline, May 24. Read the full announcement.
 

Projects supported by the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program will: (1) address a state, regional, national, or international educational need; (2) involve a creative or non-traditional approach toward addressing that need that can serve as a model to others; (3) encourage and facilitate better working relationships in the university science and education community, as well as between universities and the private sector, to enhance program quality and supplement available resources; and (4) result in benefits that will likely transcend the project duration and USDA support. Deadline, May 27. Read the full announcement.
 

Building on NSF's history of investments in data and computational sciences and USDA/NIFA's history of investments in agricultural science, NSF and USDA/NIFA wish to notify the community of our intention to jointly fund convergent research that combines methods in agricultural, biological, and computer and information science and engineering to address pressing challenges and opportunities in digital agriculture. Motivated by the increasing volumes of data, faster computation, and algorithmic advances, there is an opportunity to apply transformative, data-driven research methods to the agriculture sector that are responsive to and will yield meaningful insights for farmers, other stakeholders, and society at large. Of interest for this DCL are applications focused on economically important plants, animals, and their environments—in particular food, fuel, feed, and health—and where research outcomes in a particular application area may be transferable to, or informative for, other agricultural application areas. Relevant stakeholders can be integrated into the proposed research activities, including as partners in the project, if appropriate for the project. Read the full announcement.
 

The Sustained Availability of Biological Infrastructure program (SABI) supports the continued operation of extant infrastructure that will advance basic biological research. Infrastructure supported under this program may include cyberinfrastructure, instrumentation, experimental or observational facilities, biological living stocks which have ongoing costs of operation and maintenance that exceed the reasonable capacity of the host institution. Proposals must make a compelling case that sustained availability of the proposed infrastructure will advance or transform research in biological sciences as supported by the National Science Foundation. While other programs in the Division of Biological Infrastructure focus on research leading to future infrastructure or on the development or implementation of shared infrastructure, this program focuses on awards that ensure the continued availability of mature infrastructure resources critical to sustain the ability of today’s scientific community to conduct leading edge research. Proposals accepted at any time. Read the full announcement.
 

Within the states and territories, the Cooperative Extension System has repeatedly served as the trusted community organization that has helped to enable families, communities, and businesses to successfully prepare for, respond to and cope with disaster losses and critical incidents. Once a disaster has occurred, the local extension outreach includes: 1) Communicating practical science-based risk information, 2) Developing relevant educational experiences and programs, 3) Working with individuals and communities to open new communication channels, and 4) Mitigating losses and facilitating recovery. NIFA intends to fund Special Needs projects to implement applied scientific programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during and after local or regional emergency situations. Deadline, May 28. Read the full announcement.
 

The purpose of the Aquaculture Research program is to support the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the U.S. and generate new science-based information and innovation to address industry constraints. Over the long term, results of projects supported by this program may help improve the profitability of the U.S. aquaculture industry, reduce the U.S. trade deficit, increase domestic food security, provide markets for U.S.-produced grain products, increase domestic aquaculture business investment opportunities, and provide more jobs for rural and coastal America. The Aquaculture Research program will fund projects that directly address major constraints to the U.S. aquaculture industry and focus on one or more of the following program priorities: (1) genetics of commercial aquaculture species; (2) critical disease issues impacting aquaculture species; (3) design of environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture production systems; and (4) economic research for increasing aquaculture profitability. Deadline, May 28. Read the full announcement.
 

The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program is accepting applications for the Fall 2019 term. SULI encourages undergraduate students and recent graduates to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research experiences at the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories. Selected students participate as interns appointed at one of 17 participating DOE laboratories/facilities. They perform research, under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers, on projects supporting the DOE mission. Deadline, May 29. Read the full announcement.
 

Sources: The Hill; Politico; NPR; Gates Notes; Food Stuffs; Supporters of Agriculture Research News; Laboratory Equipment; KTIC Radio; AGI; ScienceInsider; USDA; FFAR; NSF; DOE-Office of Science

Vision: The Societies Washington, DC Science Policy Office (SPO) will advocate the importance and value of the agronomic, crop and soil sciences in developing national science policy and ensuring the necessary public-sector investment in the continued health of the environment for the well being of humanity. The SPO will assimilate, interpret, and disseminate in a timely manner to Society members information about relevant agricultural, natural resources and environmental legislation, rules and regulations under consideration by Congress and the Administration.

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