[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

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                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2009

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican Leadership 
standards, I am submitting the following information regarding projects 
I received funding for as part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2010.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 2997
  Agency: National Institute for Food and Agriculture
  Account: Special Research Grants
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Michigan State University College of 
Agriculture and Natural Resources
  Address of Requesting Entity: 102 Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, 
Michigan 48824
  Description of Request: This bill provides $147,000 for Improving the 
Sustainable Production of Specialty Crops (Improved Fruit Practices). 
This grant is a valuable use of taxpayer money because the research 
will be used to assist growers in producing high quality fruit, dry 
beans, and sugar beets with environmentally sound, safe, and effective 
pest control methods and management approaches. Approximately, $91,140 
is for salaries and expenses, and $55,860 is for lab maintenance and 
equipment. In addition to the federal funds provided by this grant, 
this research is supported by personnel, equipment, and facilities 
funded by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and Michigan 
State University Extension.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 2997
  Agency: National Institute for Food and Agriculture
  Account: Special Research Grants
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Michigan State University College of 
Agriculture and Natural Resources
  Address of Requesting Entity: 102 Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, 
Michigan 48824
  Description of Request: This bill provides $346,000 for Controlling 
Fire Blight Disease of Apple Trees. This grant is a valuable use of 
taxpayer money because the research will be used to develop blight-
resistant varieties and new, environmentally responsible control 
strategies to combat this disease. This grant will be split between 
Michigan (which receives approximately 36 percent) and New York (which 
receives approximately 64 percent). For Michigan, approximately $99,648 
is for the salaries of laboratory and field research personal; and 
$24,912 is for materials and supplies. Michigan State University is 
working to obtain funding from the Michigan Apple Committee, the 
Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, project GREEN, and from other 
industry sources.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 2997
  Agency: National Institute for Food and Agriculture
  Account: Special Research Grants
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Michigan State University College of 
Agriculture and Natural Resources
  Address of Requesting Entity: 102 Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, 
Michigan 48824
  Description of Request: This bill provides $266,000 for Sustainable 
Agriculture: Expanding and Refining the Ecosystem Base (Sustainable 
Agriculture). This grant is a valuable use of taxpayer money because 
the research will be used to assist farmers on sustainable agriculture 
practices, which will help farmers manage their crops for improved 
yields, while reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, and stemming 
nutrient losses to ground and surface water. Organic farming concepts 
are also addressed. Approximately, $151,000 is for salaries of 
researchers; $15,000 is for travel expenses; $10,000 is for farmer 
stipends; $25,000 is for materials and supplies; and $65,000 is for 
communication and outreach. Michigan State University expects to 
leverage at least $150,000 in state, local, and private funds to expand 
the impacts of the special grant.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 2997
  Agency: National Institute for Food and Agriculture
  Account: Special Research Grants
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Michigan State University College of 
Agriculture and Natural Resources
  Address of Requesting Entity: 102 Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, 
Michigan 48824
  Description of Request: This bill provides $346,000 for Phytophthora 
Capsici research. This grant is a valuable use of taxpayer money 
because the research will be used to study the fungal-like pathogen 
that lives in the soil and causes plants to rot. Vegetables such as 
cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, 
zucchini, peppers, eggplants and lima and snap beans are particularly 
susceptible to rot caused by Phytophthora. This funding will go towards 
salaries of researchers, laboratory and field equipment, travel 
expenses, and publication or results. This program receives other 
federal/state/local/industry funding.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 2997
  Agency: Natural Resources Conservation Service
  Account: Conservation Operations
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Great Lakes Commission
  Address of Requesting Entity: 2805 S. Industrial Hwy, Suite 100, Ann 
Arbor, MI 48104-6791
  Description of Request: This bill provides $404,000 for the Great 
Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, which was 
authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. This funding is a valuable use of 
taxpayer money because it will protect and improve Great Lakes water 
quality by controlling erosion and sedimentation; limiting the input of 
associated nutrients and toxic contaminants; and minimizing off-site 
sources of damage to harbors, streams, fish and wildlife habitat, 
recreational facilities and the Basin's system of public works.

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