PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Nelson Visits Connecticut Delegation to Urge Support for NSF, USDA, Plant Research

ASPB member Timothy Nelson of Yale University participated in a Capitol Hill visits day April 9 in support of funding for the National Science Foundation and the USDA.

Nelson met with staff of the offices of the Connecticut delegation, starting with the office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). Nelson, a constituent of DeLauro’s, recommended strong support for basic and applied research in plant biology. DeLauro chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. This subcommittee writes spending bills supporting agricultural research.

Nelson followed up the meeting with DeLauro’s office with meetings with staff from the offices of Congressman John Larson (D-Conn.), Congressman Joseph Courtney (D-Conn.), Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.). ASPB Public Affairs staff and representatives of the Weed Science Society of America, including a scientist from Connecticut, joined Nelson on the visits.

The Biological & Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) and the Coalition on Funding Agricultural Research Missions (CoFARM) asked member science societies to coordinate and sponsor Hill visits on April 9. ASPB is a member of both coalitions. Nelson also attended a program April 8 at which agency officials gave presentations on research programs.