Monday, June 15, 2026

Washington Update - Prepared for the Board on Agriculture Assembly by Lewis-Burke Associates

 In this edition:

  • FY 2027 Agriculture Appropriations: House Advances, Senate Delays
  • Senate Farm Bill Outlook
  • House and Senate Agriculture Committees Hold Oversight Hearings with Secretary Rollins
  • Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Hearing with Forest Service Leadership

 Read the full report.

Scoops of Science: APLU Hosts Capitol Hill Reception Showcasing the Impact of Public Universities’ Agriculture Programs

APLU hosted a Capitol Hill reception on June 2 showcasing the joys and real-world impact of public and land-grant university creameries. The reception featured ice cream and cheese products from public and land-grant university colleges of agriculture, highlighting the societal benefit of university-based research, teaching, and Extension in food and agricultural sciences. Nearly 1,000 congressional staff, members of Congress, and other stakeholders attended the event. View a roundup of photos from the event.

Lawmakers and congressional staff had the opportunity to sample ice cream and cheese from 20 university creameries. The showcase included classics like cookies and cream and flavors highlighting state agricultural products. such as muscadine from Mississippi, pecans from New Mexico, and even sweet corn from Iowa and Nebraska all spun into bite-sized scoops.

Read the full press release.

Research Facilities Act Program (RFAP)

The RFAP is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.246. RFAP is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying institutions for the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of agricultural research facilities to conduct research in the fields of food and agricultural sciences (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3103, see Appendix III for definition). Download the NOFO.