C-FAR is the Shining Example of Agricultural Teamwork

The Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) is a statewide coalition organized to support relevant, high-quality research and related outreach programs for Illinois’ food, agricultural, and related systems. The organization blossomed from a concept developed by the University of Illinois Agriculture Alumni Association—now known as the College of ACES Alumni Association—and other groups to address the need for increased state funding of research and to establish one meaningful voice for Illinois’ food and agricultural research programs.

“C-FAR is the shining example of agricultural teamwork. While it is unfortunately common for agricultural groups to disagree on solutions or approaches to problems or issues, C-FAR brought organizations and groups together. From the concept to the creation of the Council, the College of ACES Alumni Association was the foundation and the communication link to C-FAR’s development. We are proud of our role and hope we can continue to have a positive impact on the future of our state and University,” said Colleen Callahan Burns, president of the College of ACES Alumni Association.

C-FAR is an unprecedented partnership of the private sector, government officials, university administrators, and researchers all working toward the same goal: to enhance research that will benefit Illinois’ food, agricultural, and related sectors; consumers; and ultimately Illinois’ economy. The C-FAR appropriation reached $15 million annually from FY00 to FY02. Due to State of Illinois budget difficulties, C-FAR’s appropriation was reduced the following three fiscal years, with the current FY05 appropriation being set at $3.5 million.

“C-FAR members, who represent virtually every sector of the state’s food and agricultural system, volunteer thousands of hours every year to ensuring the state’s appropriation is soundly invested,” said Larry Fischer, C-FAR membership chair and College of ACES alumnus.

C-FAR research addresses issues important to Illinois

C-FAR provides a critical venue for ACES scientists and other Illinois researchers to connect with food and agricultural representatives from across Illinois. C-FAR members identify research priorities to guide researchers in producing high-impact outcomes that address issues important to Illinois. New technologies, resources and opportunities continue to be developed to assist crop and livestock producers, dietitians, health educators, food processors, nursery managers, agricultural business professionals, natural resource conservation directors, and other related professionals throughout the state.

Primary source of funding to conduct research

The C-FAR appropriation is the primary source of non-salary operating funds from the state for ACES scientists to conduct food and agricultural research. While federal funding is often sought to support many food and agricultural research initiatives, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and the linkage between federal funded research and Illinois issues is much less direct.

Researcher recruitment and retention

ACES research faculty consider a number of factors when deciding on their career location and often a significant factor is the availability of state funding support. Based on feedback from university administrators, C-FAR funding has been a key factor on several occasions in the decision for faculty deciding to conduct their research in Illinois. It also allows research support staff to be hired and provides graduate and post-doctoral students with industry-related research learning opportunities.

C-FAR dollars leveraged to secure substantial additional funding

The C-FAR appropriation often serves as seed money to begin a particular research initiative, which can lead to substantial funding from other sources. ACES researchers have been highly successful in leveraging their C-FAR dollars to obtain substantial additional support from such entities as the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“As our state’s land grant institution, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is critically important to the continued vitality of our state’s food and agricultural systems,” said Alan Puzey, C-FAR chairman and College of ACES alumnus. “I know firsthand, in having the privilege of serving as C-FAR‚s chairman, how important C-FAR and the appropriation have been to the Colleges of ACES and Veterinary Medicine. It is an extremely positive partnership I am proud to be part of.”

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