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 Calls for Support of NPGS

ASPB and 93 other organizations recently sent a letter to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials in support of for the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), a program managed by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) focused on conserving and distributing plant genetic resources. The NGPS maintains a diverse collection of plant germplasm, including … Read more

ASPB Joins Call to Protect the Future of Science

ASPB joined the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and 47 other scientific organizations in a letter to members of Congress demanding that they protect federally funded scientific research and federal scientists. The letter asks Congress to “take immediate action to protect and restore life-saving and essential scientific research that benefits American families and communities.” The … 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