UM Strengthens Partnership with USDA, ARS-BA through Cooperative Agreement
July 2, 2009
The University of Maryland and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Beltsville Area (ARS-BA) has formalized its more than 50-year partnership by signing a five-year cooperative agreement. Through this agreement, both organizations seek to build a leading center for agricultural, environmental, and natural resources research that will enhance training and research opportunities for ARS-BA staff and researchers, as well as UM faculty and students. ARS-BA and UM staff will work together to develop graduate research and educational programs that will prepare future generations for science-related careers.
The partnership between UM and ARS-BA dates back to 1957 and has led to numerous cooperative endeavors in the areas of dairy, agronomy, horticulture and agricultural biotechnology research. By collaborating and pooling their strengths, the organizations have made many significant and important scientific research accomplishments.
Left to right: Edward Knipling, ARS Administrator; Kitty Smith, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education & Economics; Joseph Spence, BA Director; Dan Mote, University of Maryland President and Congressman Steny Hoyer
"This agreement formalizes many years of highly productive collaborations between ARS-BA and the University of Maryland," said University of Maryland President Dr. C.D. "Dan" Mote. "It ensures continued opportunities for education and training for students and scientists and encourages future efforts to address public health, promote healthy lifestyles, protect the environment, promote sound agricultural practices, and develop strategic approaches to responsibility optimize competitiveness."
"Our longstanding partnership with the University of Maryland has led to outstanding research collaborations in the past," said Dr. Joseph Spence, director of ARS-BA. "I am particularly excited about future collaborations that will be built on this strong foundation of research cooperation and scientific excellence."
