Sponsors (5)
The bill gives maple industry stakeholders more influence to make research funding more relevant and economically beneficial for producers, at the cost of modest administrative delays and a risk that consultations could entrench established players and disadvantage smaller participants.
Maple producers and researchers will get a formal role in shaping research and education priorities, making grants more likely to address real-world production challenges and potentially boosting yields and incomes for maple businesses and rural communities.
Required stakeholder consultations at least six months before issuing RFPs increase transparency and predictability in research funding timelines, helping industry participants plan and respond to funding opportunities.
The added solicitation and consultation steps create extra administrative time and costs for USDA, which could slightly delay issuance of some RFPs or the use of program funds.
If consultations are dominated by established industry players, smaller producers or nontraditional researchers may have reduced influence over priorities, raising barriers to entry and limiting equity and innovation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires USDA to solicit and consider maple industry stakeholder input on research and education priorities before issuing grant solicitations beginning one year after enactment.
Amends the USDA Acer access and development program to require the Secretary of Agriculture to solicit and consider input from maple industry stakeholders on research and education priorities before issuing grant requests. The consultation must begin with the first request for applications that occurs at least one year after enactment, and stakeholder comments must be sought at least six months before that request.
Official title: To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 with respect to the Acer access and development program, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Nicholas A. Langworthy · Last progress January 9, 2025