02/21/05 Budget compromise? Ag research cut?

There is growing evidence that farmers and ranchers across the country are not happy with President Bush's proposed reductions in farm subsidy payments as proposed in his fiscal year 2006 budget. That evidence comes from media reports citing farmers who feel the proposed cuts are unfair, and the grilling U.S.D.A. Secretary Mike Johanns recently received from members of the House Ag Appropriations subcommittee. However, Johanns did provide something not yet heard from the Administration about the budget & a sign that the President might be willing to compromise. JOHANNS: The majority of savings from these proposals is obtained through an across the board reduction in program payments and we are willing to work with Congress in order to achieve the savings estimated in the President's budget. A growing ag concern about the President's budget comes from higher education. Reports have the University of Idaho, Washington State University, and Oregon State University potentially losing millions of dollars in federal agriculture funding, much of that going towards ag research. Estimates have a fifty per cent reduction of formula funds in fiscal year 2006, and complete elimination of such funds the following year. Officials from those schools say the reduction of federal funds will force them to compete for research monies in the private and public sector as is done in other science and research based fields. And with those schools serving as land-grant universities, it could hamper local extension services. Now with today's "Food Forethought", here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: Nothing can make a statement like a cool t-shirt. Be it from a bygone Beatles concert or white with the sleeves rolled up a` la James Dean, the t-shirt is an American icon, a walking billboard for our political convictions, cartoons and creative phrases. Celebrities, like Jessica Simpson, auction off their favorite t's on e-bay for thousands of dollars to raise money for tsunami relief but it is possible that T-shirts could play an even bigger role by providing income beyond short term relief efforts. John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge writers for the Economist feel that too often monetary aide to poverty stricken countries ends up padding the wrong bank accounts as in the case of the oil for food scandal . It is their view that long term aide could take the form of introducing new industry into the culture. Traditionally the textile industry has worked well to create new industry for poverty stricken communities and if not subject to high tariffs could be a vital component in helping Tsunami survivors rebuild their lives. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.