ASTA Members Lobby for Increase in GEM Project Funding

On March 9, ASTA representatives met in Washington, D.C. to lobby for continued funding for the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project. Administered under the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Plant Germplasm System, the GEM project focuses on adapting exotic corn germplasm for use in the U.S. and identifying useful genetics in exotic landraces to develop new hybrids. These resources are then made available to breeders by request.

The current funding for GEM is approximately $1.8 million. Private industry provides over $625,000 of direct in-kind support annually, and industry germplasm contributions are currently valued at over $3 billion. Due to increased research and operations costs and the need to establish consistent winter nurseries for seed increases and regeneration, ASTA is requesting an increase in GEM funding to $2.8 million.