Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation to Support Advancements in Agriculture Research and Innovation

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to introduce legislation to invest in public research, develop regionally adapted seed varieties and animal breeds, and enable the U.S. to maintain a robust and resilient food and agricultural system. This standalone legislation is also a part of Senator Heinrich’s Agriculture Resilience Act, comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040.

The Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act promotes the development of ready-to-use, regionally-adapted, and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. This would give farmers more tools to confront drought, varying growing conditions, and to have plant and animal varieties that are better suited to their area. Regionally developed seed varieties often result in substantial increases in hardiness and yields. Further, it would ensure American farmers have access to domestically produced seeds and breeds that are developed through publicly available research. 

“Farmers and ranchers are on the front lines of the climate crisis. We need to grow our investments in the research and development of more climate-adaptive and disease-resistant plant varieties and animal breeds to make our food systems more sustainable,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud to champion this legislation to help researchers on the cutting-edge of publicly funded agricultural innovation. That includes those at New Mexico State University who are developing drought-resilient chile peppers and onions and regionally-adapted heat-tolerant cattle.”

“Wisconsin’s agriculture sector is a driver of our state’s economy and the heart of many of our rural communities,” said Senator Baldwin. “In the face of a changing climate, we must make sure our farmers and producers have the tools they need to adapt and compete on the global stage. This legislation will ensure that our farmers have regionally-adapted seed varieties and animal breeds to increase their yields and adjust to new environmental challenges. Farmers are always innovating, and this reform will make sure research is keeping up with them.” 

“Providing additional public funding through USDA-NIFA grant programs would provide opportunities for researchers to develop and maintain breeding programs that would support agriculture’s sustainability in the future, including enhancing genetic resources needed for southwest USA producers to meet the challenges of climate change and drought, managing pests and diseases with reduced reliance on chemicals, and enhancing nutrient and water use efficiency,” said Dr. Rolando A. Flores, Dean at the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, where researchers within the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, conduct research related to both plant and animal breeding. “Public funding would allow researchers to identify and develop varieties and species that are specifically adapted to the arid southwest and could help maintain agricultural productivity in the region. Public funding could support local agricultural production and specialty crops that are sometimes overlooked. Additionally, breeding research would support academic efforts relative to graduate students working with faculty.”

Over the past several decades, universities across the country have reduced, or even eliminated, their public plant and animal breeding programs, causing a shortage of crops and livestock tailored to unique regional conditions. Lack of access to regionally adapted seeds and breeds makes our domestic agricultural sector vulnerable to disruption and threatens farmers’ domestic and international competitiveness. The Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act ensures that the United States Department of Agriculture invests at least $75 million each fiscal year for competitive research grants that support the development of regionally adapted seed varieties and animal breeds at public universities.

Find a fact sheet on the Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act here.