Government research programs to aid agricultural industries

WASHINGTON — A House agriculture subcommittee voted last week to support research programs that will benefit Maine’s blueberry, potato, and wood-products industries, according to U.S. Rep. John Baldacci.

At Baldacci’s urging, the agriculture subcommittee on forestry, research and resource conservation voted to include the provisions as part of the Agriculture Research, Extension and Education Reauthorization Act of 1997. The legislation now will be sent to the full House Agriculture Committee, of which Baldacci is a member.

The legislation approved Sept. 25 invests in Maine’s blueberry, potato and wood products industries by reauthorizing research and education programs for U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.

The bill would establish research and extension programs:

To develop and evaluate new strains of potatoes that are resistant to blight and other diseases, as well as insects. This would allow emphasis to be placed on developing potato varieties that lend themselves to innovative marketing approaches.

To develop new uses for wood from underused tree species, and investigate methods of modifying wood and wood fibers to produce better building materials.

To evaluate methods of developing low-bush blueberries as a marketable crop.

In addition, the bill empowers the secretary of agriculture to establish the National Agricultural Weather Information System. The weather service, which was canceled during the 104th Congress, would help farmers in Aroostook County determine seasonal timing for planting.