June 12, 2018

Duckworth, Durbin Announce $200,000 for University of Illinois Agricultural Research Projects

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] — U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $200,000 in federal funding today for agricultural research projects at the University of Illinois aimed at helping make crop and livestock production more efficient and sustainable. The funding comes from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Exploratory Research Grants Program, which invests in projects focused on developing innovative solutions to emerging challenges in the agricultural field.

“This federal funding will help the skilled researchers at the University of Illinois continue to make scientific breakthroughs that help our farmers cut costs and minimize environmental impacts,” Duckworth said. “Research programs at Illinois universities play an important role in driving economic growth and job creation across our state and Senator Durbin and I will keep advocating for the investments they deserve.”

“As innovation in our agriculture industry is becoming increasingly important, this funding will help ensure that Illinois is at the forefront of future breakthroughs,” Durbin said. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to ensure that Illinois’ agricultural industry has access to the critical federal investments that drive economic growth.”

Under this announcement, two research projects will receive $100,000 each from the USDA. One is focused on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that come from commonly used fertilizers, while the other is working to develop a single, longer-lasting vaccine that will help ensure healthier livestock and reduce costs for farmers by eliminating the need for regular vaccines.

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