93 



level of coromitment from other participants and/or sectors. 



Effect of the Facility on the infrastructure of agriculture. 

 This criterion relates to the potential of the Facility and 

 the research being conducted there to contribute to better 

 understanding or improvement of the quality, distribution, 

 or effectiveness of the Nation's (agricultural) scientific 

 research and educational capabilities. An important issue 

 here is the way the Facility relates to other institutions 

 and facilities on similar topical issues in the Nation, 

 Region, or State. 



Appropriateness and strength of linkages and knowledge 

 transfer efforts to other sectors and groups. This 

 criterion is used to assess where the Facility involves or 

 has concrete plans to involve appropriate sectors and groups 

 in the work of the Facility, and the form and strength of 

 that involvement. Included here are questions about the 

 appropriateness, form, and likely success of knowledge or 

 technology transfer efforts. 



Performance against Strategic Plan and goals. This section 

 will fully evaluate the performance of the Facility in 

 meeting its goals as set forth in its Strategic Plan. 



The proximate, long-term economic development impact of the 

 Facilitv. Among the criteria to be considered are the 

 contribution to the body of basic research, development of 

 new technologies, development of new processes, number of 

 patents/copyrights issued, composition of industry 

 clientele, etc. 



CONCLUSION 



Clearly, our present agricultural research facilities system 

 needs an overhaul. We need a coordinated, coherent policy to 

 maintain and promote America's agricultural research 

 infrastructure. We need to consolidate and close outdated 

 facilities; reinvest in existing facilities; and institute a 

 national plan for building new facilities. 



I urge the Subcommittee to work with the research and 

 extension community and come to a consensus on a national, 

 cohesive strategy for agricultural research. Without such a 

 plan, it will be difficult to measure the "fit" of any existing 

 or proposed research facility and determine whether it merits our 

 limited Federal funding. 



Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I have cited a 

 decade of UAB recommendations about research facilities and 

 strategic planning. In fact, in just its third report (October 



15 



68-792 - 93 - 4 



