 
Current Projects
Social Security Reform: Impact on Rural America
In June 2007 the National Center released a study, funded by the Howard G. Buffet Foundation, on the
rural impact of proposed social security reforms. The following two links provide the specific findings
of the study:
High-Speed Internet in Rural America Roundtable
The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy hosted a roundtable
discussion in the Longworth House Office Building on June 22nd , 2007
focusing on High-Speed Internet in Rural America. The presentations
included: “Providing Internet Service to Rural America: The Challenges”
by Rob Atkinson of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation,
“Internet Use in Rural America” by Peter Stenberg of the USDA-Economic
Research Service and “Connect Kentucky and Federal Policy” by David
Lazarus from the office of Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.
Health and Well-being in Rural America Workshop
On June 8, 2007, the National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy,
in conjunction with the Economic Research Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture, held a workshop entitled “Health and
Well-being in Rural America” in the Rayburn House Office Building. The
workshop was held to promote the exchange of ideas and concerns regarding
the state of the National Food Stamp program, health care, and policies
that effect rural communities. The Honorable Rosa DeLauro delivered
keynote remarks entitled “Nutrition and Health in Rural America-We must
Do Better.” Roberto Salazar, Administrator of the Food, Nutrition, and
Consumer Service sector of the USDA spoke on” The Well Being of Our
Children and Our Seniors”, and the Dean of the Friedman School of
Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Eileen Kennedy, spoke
on “ Moving Beyond Current Policy”.
International Biotechnology Education and Outreach
With funding from the U.S.D.A. Section 108 Program, The National Center has been conducting educational
briefings on biotechnology-derived crops in foreign countries since 2003. As part of these efforts, a
series of biotechnology briefings were conducted in 2006 in India and Russia. Additional briefings were
held in Germany in January 2007 and future international briefings are being planned.
Impacts on US Agriculture of Biotechnology-Derived Crops Planted in 2005
The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy released its annual update study on
biotechnology-derived crops on November 16. The report, entitled "Quantification of the Impacts on U.S.
Agriculture of Biotechnology-Derived Crops Planted in 2005" evaluated the producer and crop production
impacts of biotechnology on 123 million acres in the United States.
Norman E. Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows Program
The National Center for Food and agricultural policy entered into a cooperative agreement with
the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service to provide training and
education for officials and regulators from China. This program is funded by the U.S. Trade and
Development Agency and is administered by the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science
and Technology Program. The National Center hosted its first Fellow in May and June of 2006. An
additional five Fellows will be hosted in 2007.
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