Advocating for Increased USDA Agricultural Research Service Funding

Amid a quickly changing research funding landscape in the United States, ASPB continues to be a vocal and engaged advocate for federal funding that supports plant scientists. The Society recently joined academic, agriculture, and food stakeholder groups in a letter to House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Members recognizing their past support of the US … Read more

ASPB Supports Funding for USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

As budget development continues, ASPB recently joined with other research institutions, scientific societies, and agricultural stakeholders in a letter to House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Members requesting “no less than $500 million for the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) in Fiscal Year 2026.” As a key grant program of the US Department … Read more

ASPB President’s Update: Supportive Community

By Leeann Thornton, ASPB Past-President   In difficult times, people need to come together to support and encourage each other to keep moving towards a shared vision. ASPB is committed to promoting plant science, communicating research about plants, and supporting plant biologists. Our work in advancing the community of plant biologists embraces inclusivity, integrity, transparency … Read more

ASPB Joins Call for Increased USDA Program Funding

On February 4, 2025, ASPB joined more than 40 organizations in urging Congress to increase crucial US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program funding in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). In a letter to Congressional leadership, ASPB and others outline how USDA programs “support America’s farmers, improve the security of our food supply, and restore our nation’s … Read more

ASPB Supports Farm Bill Funding for Orphan Programs

With a new Senate majority, a new incoming Administration, and new leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee coming in the next Congress, changes are afoot in Washington, DC, with unknown consequences on the much-anticipated farm bill. These changes present continued opportunity for ASPB  to advocate for funding for programs that benefit and support stakeholders in … Read more