The University of Wisconsin-based Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (CSARE) has joined the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research (C-FAR). The organizations will work together to attempt to double federal funding of food, agricultural, and natural resources research and education programs over the next five years.

John Gerber, director of CSARE, comments that “CSARE’s national network of researchers and educators, all working for a more sustainable food and agriculture system, strengthens our unique and powerful effort to increase the public investment in agricultural research. We are pleased to join with other members of the agriculture community to work for common goals.”

C-FAR is a national, broad-based coalition of food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation and natural resource organizations, with more than 60 members representing all sectors of the food and agricultural system.

Joe Coffey, secretary/treasurer of National C-FAR, said “We are very pleased to welcome CSARE as a new member of National C-FAR. We look forward to working with CSARE to achieve our mutual objectives of enhancing food and agricultural research and expanding stakeholder participation in priority setting and funding. CSARE brings an important emphasis to National C-FAR. Through research and education, they aim to develop a more sustainable food and fiber system.”

“By joining forces we hope to raise all the boats on the water. We aim to keep people on the land in a way that is good for farms, communities and the environment,” said Kim Leval, policy coordinator for CSARE and the Center for Rural Affairs. Leval will facilitate CSARE”s involvement in C-FAR.

For more information on CSARE, contact Kim Leval at (541) 687-1490 or visit the CSARE website.

For more information on National C-FAR, contact Joe Coffey at (804) 744-1486 or visit the coalition”s website.