ARS RESTORES HALF OF RESEARCH GRANTS

USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announced it has restored half of the FY 2012 potato research funding it originally cut as a way to meet its obligated savings requirements.

Earlier this year, while ARS reduced its potato funding grants by 30 percent, NPC worked with it to minimize the impact of those cuts on the industry's vital research programs.

However, since the agency recently fulfilled its overall budget saving obligations, they were able to restore $209,000 in funding, for a total FY 2012 investment of $1.39 million in potato research funding. The additional funding will be distributed to grant recipients on a pro rata basis.

SOURCE: NPPGA