Funding included in Agriculture Appropriations bill, along with additional money for agriculture development in the First District

Washington, DC–Today, funding secured by Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) for a USDA grant program was signed into law by the president. Braley announced that he secured $875,000 to continue the New Era Rural Technology Program he established. This program allows community colleges and advanced training facilities to train the next generation of agriculture-based energy professionals.

"This funding for the New Era Program allows us to keep Iowa at the forefront of the bio-energy industry," Braley said. "As our economy shifts to a culture of renewable energy, it's crucial that we provide education for the emerging professionals in Iowa. I'm proud to have introduced, passed into law and funded legislation that does just that."

Additionally, the bill signed into law included $350 million in emergency assistance for dairy farmers. The language provides $290 million for direct assistance to dairy farmers and another $60 million for a large cheese purchase.

"I understand the struggle Iowa dairy farmers are going through as they deal with low dairy prices combined with high input costs. I'm hopeful that the assistance provided in the Agriculture Appropriations bill will help them get through this difficult period."

Braley also secured funding for the National Education Center for Agriculture Safety in Peosta, the National Ag Based Lubricants Center (NABL) at University of Northern Iowa and for UNI's Tallgrass Prairie Center to research floodplain restoration.

The $170,000 for the National Center for Agriculture Safety will provide interactive health and safety education to Iowa farmers, volunteer firefighters, EMS providers and agricultural businesses. The program will also provide youth safety training to over 300 young people in the First District.

The $405,000 for the UNI-NABL will fund research and testing of bio-renewable lubricants and greases. The goal is to create commercial, bio-based lubricant products which are bio-degradable and more environmentally friendly than petroleum based products.

The $134,000 for UNI's Blackhawk County's Tallgrass Prairie Center will fund a study of wetland communities to determine which species best aid in floodplain recovery. This will provide direct impact on restoration of wetlands in Eastern Iowa and across the country.

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