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“CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COOPERATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E476 on March 28, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COOPERATION
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HON. JAMES A. BARCIA
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 27, 1996
Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the strength of cooperation is the greatest asset of any entity. I want you to know about the Saginaw Valley Bean and Beet Research Farm which is flush with cooperation, and as a result is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary of operation this year. This facility, which started operations in 1971, is one of the premier locations in the world for research into matters of concern to sugar beet and dry bean producers and processors.
Michigan Sugar Co. and Monitor Sugar Co. helped to get all of this going by recognizing the importance of ongoing research in the maintenance of a competitive edge. The Michigan Bean Shippers Association, the Michigan Bean Commission, and the Farmers and Manufacturers Beet Sugar Growers Association pushed for creation of a single research farm. Producers helped fund the research by check-off from sales of their commodities, and continue to this day. Today, this facility is a wonderful joint effort of dry bean and sugar beet processors and producers, in cooperation with Michigan State University's Agricultural Experiment Station, the MSU Extension Service, and funding provided through the Cooperate State Research, Education and Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This Federal support has been generously provided with the cooperation of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; and Related Agencies of the House Appropriations Committee.
It is phenomenal to me to think of the fact that 30 years ago farmers earned $60 million for dry bean crops and $23 million from sugar beet crops, with yields now having increased by about 80 percent since 1970. New varieties of dry beans have been introduced in the area to take advantage of changing consumer demands for dry bean varieties, particularly for the colored dry bean varieties that are so heavily demanded in other markets around the world. The stable prices that our consumers enjoy for sugar have been enhanced by a research program that is committed to improving yield and maintaining quality in an increasingly competitive market.
Work has been done over the years to improve the hardiness of varieties of beans and beets. Environmental concerns have been addressed by reviewing the efficacy of pesticides and herbicides as well as application practices. Planting methodology has been studied, ranging from narrow row planting efforts to increase yield per acre, to dealing with concerns created by soil compaction.
Several people deserve credit for this historic endeavor. Loren Armbruster, John Davis, Ernest Flegenheimer, Dr. Milt Erdman, Maurice Frakes, Dale Harpstead, John A. McGill, Jr., Basil McKenzie, Leyton Nelson, Grant Nichol, and Perc Reeve all deserve a major share of the credit for the creation of this facility. Former Congressman Bob Traxler led the efforts to secure Federal funding for this facility. Bob Young, Bill Bortel, Dale Kuenzli, John McGill, Greg Varner, and Dr. Don Christenson now work for the success of this facility. And support for this project continues to come from myself, Congressman Camp, and Senator Levin.
Mr. Speaker, at a time when we want people to look to themselves for solutions to problems, we need to recognize the accomplishments of the Saginaw Valley Bean and Beet Research Farm. I urge you and our colleagues to join me in wishing them the happiest 25th anniversary.
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