Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) & Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA)
Demonstrating the Lasting Value of Federal Capacity Funding in Agricultural Research
The Challenge
Federal capacity funding—long the backbone of agricultural research, Cooperative Extension, and workforce development—has increasingly been overshadowed by competitive grants in national policy conversations. To ensure policymakers clearly understood its enduring value, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and its Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA) needed an independent, evidence-based analysis quantifying how this foundational funding supports innovation, strengthens the agricultural workforce, and sustains America’s food and research systems.
How We Helped
Tripp Umbach conducted a comprehensive analysis measuring the long-term outcomes of capacity funding across land-grant and public universities. The study assessed the funding’s role in sustaining research infrastructure, advancing agricultural productivity, and supporting rural development. The report was designed to elevate the conversation around capacity funding’s role in maintaining national food security and ensuring the continued competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in a global economy.
The Impact
The findings provided policymakers, university leaders, and agricultural stakeholders with clear, data-driven evidence of capacity funding’s critical value. The report underscored the need for sustained investment in these programs—affirming their impact on research continuity, workforce preparation, and the vitality of rural communities—and positioned APLU and the BAA to advocate effectively for long-term public funding.