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Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to appear before you 

 today to offer comments on the science and education priorities of USDA. I am Robert 

 Guernsey. A farmer from Indiana, I have a family operation where I produce hogs, beef, com 

 and soybeans. Today, I come before you on behalf of the Council For Agricultural Research, 

 Extension and Teaching (CARET) where 1 currently serve as the past chairman. CARET is a 

 national voluntary citizens organization whose grassroots membership is comprised of such 

 individuals as agricultural producers, commodity leaders, agribusiness leaders, state and local 

 officials, homemakers, consumers and members of agricultural advisory boards. Each state and 

 territory is represented by at least one delegate. CARET was established in 1 982 as a mechanism 

 through which citizen support could be expressed for the agricultural research, extension and 

 teaching programs of the land-grant university system. 



1, like all other CARET members, have greatly benefitted from the unique partnership 

 between USDA and the land-grant university system. Without the assistance I have received 

 during my more than 30 years of farming, I doubt that I would have the kind of farm operation 

 1 have today. Through assistance from Extension and resources at my land-grant university, I 

 computerized my operation early-on in the 1980's; I have consistently cut down on the use of 

 insecticides; I am using herbicides in a manner that is sensitive to the environment; and am 

 learning to apply fertilizers in a more safe and efficient manner. This assistance allows me to 

 continue to manage my farm business while adjusting my products to meet the needs of 

 consumers and to comply with farm-program regulations. Our farm operation consists of my 

 wife and I, our son and his family. If I had to rely on professional consultants to assist us in 

 some of the decisions we must make on a regular basis, our costs would escalate which in turn 

 would limit our fmancial ability to avail ourselves of new scientific knowledge and technology 

 in our farming efforts. 



As the present debate ensues on how USDA should look, what its priorities should be and 

 to what extent its programs should be funded, we, in CARET, have the following concerns: ( 1 ) 

 that the base programs of Hatch, Smith-Lever, 1890s, etc., be strengthened; (2) that the 

 Extension Service remain one of education and outreach; (3) that an effective balance be struck 

 between basic, applied and mission-linked research; (4) that agricultural academic programs be 

 strengthened within the Department of Agriculture; and (5) that these agricultural research, 

 extension, and teaching programs be allowed to respond to current, as well as future, concerns 

 of both the producer and consumer, such as food safety, water quality, genetic-engineered plants, 

 youth at risk and family problems to name a few. 



1. The strengthening of base-program funding of Hatch, Smith-Lever, the 1890's, 

 Morrill-Nelson, and Mclntire-Stennis, is CARET'S number one priority. These programs provide 

 the infrastructure to the agricultural research and education programs. Base programs guarantee 

 that there will in fact BE a continuing agricultural research and education effort at our land-grant 

 universities. Without base programs, states would not have the necessary flexibility in 

 responding to on-going needs or to situations of crisis. Competitive and special grants, while 

 extremely important and essential, do not and cannot, by their very nature, provide the on-going 

 attention that is necessary. Research, by its nature, requires a long-term effort that does not 

 produce results overnight 



