Photo credit: FarmWeekNow
Western Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood and Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis visited the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria today. This visit comes after President Trump’s budget proposed ending federal funding for the facility, which would result in its closure. Following the tour, Rep. Bustos, Rep. LaHood and Mayor Ardis gave brief remarks across the street at the Peoria County Farm Bureau highlighting the work being done to keep funding for the facility. Other supporters and attendees included Adam Nielsen of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Peoria County Board Chair Andrew Rand, Peoria City Councilmen Sid Ruckriegel, Dennis Cyr, Chuck Grayeb and Zach Oyler. Bustos and LaHood will send a letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling for maintained funding of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Buildings and Facilities account, which funds the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria