California congressional members voice support for ag research

From left, Gabe Youtsey, Anne Megaro, Rep. Ami Bera and Glenda Humiston.

As Congress negotiated the Farm Bill, Vice President Glenda Humiston recently visited Washington, D.C. to meet with California congressional members and their staff to discuss agricultural research and Cooperative Extension programs.

“During this time of change and transition, I was gladdened to hear that many legislators – on both sides of the aisle – remain fully supportive of agricultural research and Cooperative Extension programs,” Humiston said.

From left, Youtsey, Atkinson, Megaro, Rep. David Valadao’s staff and Humiston

She was joined on the trip by Anne Megaro, director of government and community relations, and Gabe Youtsey, chief innovation officer, and colleagues from UC Riverside, including Peter Atkinson, interim dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; Kathy Eiler, director of federal relations; and Elia Scudiero, associate research agronomist in the Department of Environmental Sciences.

The UC delegation visited staff from both Senate offices, 14 congressional offices and some committees. They were honored to meet personally with Rep. Ami Bera and Rep. John Garamendi.

From left, Elia Scudiero, two members of Sen. Alex Padilla’s staff, Humiston, Peter Atkinson and Megaro.

The group shared UC's agricultural appropriations and Farm Bill priorities, and voiced support for Cooperative Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture competitive grant funding, as well as the House's $2.5 billion proposal for agricultural research facilities.

“I was pleased to hear that our lawmakers shared our desire to increase funding for Cooperative Extension and pass a Farm Bill with robust support for ag research,” Humiston said.

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