[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 45 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COOPERATION

                                 ______


                          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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