BELTSVILLE, Md. (April, 2007) – Leaders from Maryland’s technology, research and development, economic development and agricultural industries have joined together to establish a new consortium, the National Agricultural Research Alliance – Beltsville, Inc. (NARA-B).
The goal of the organization is to support and advance the agricultural, human nutrition and scientific research mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC). NARA-B will advocate for BARC and its agricultural and horticultural activities before legislative, executive, administrative and judicial bodies, and the public in general regarding the contributions to agricultural science, safe and healthful foods, environmental quality, national security and other benefits of BARC.
In addition, the group will also work to promote the maintenance and preservation of the natural and historic qualities of BARC, including open space, watershed protection and enhancement, and clean air and water.
“One of the first priorities for NARA-B is to champion for BARC to get ‘enhanced use lease’ authority, which will help the institution drive money that is currently used to maintain buildings on the BARC site into research and development,” said John Peter Thompson, president of NARA-B. “The more research and development that can be conducted by researchers at BARC, the greater number of opportunities there are to better society.”
The officers are:
· NARA-B President: John Peter Thompson, chairman of Behnke Nurseries, Co.
· NARA-B Secretary: Renée M. Winsky, executive director of the Maryland Technology Development Corp.
· NARA-B Treasurer: Wendi M. Williams, vice president of Old Line Bank
· NARA-B Board Member: Wanda L. Plumer, director of business development, retention and expansion for the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation
· NARA-B Board Member: Essex Finney, former director of BARC
About the National Agricultural Research Alliance – Beltsville, Inc.
The goal of the National Agricultural Research Alliance – Beltsville, Inc., (NARA-B) is to support and advance the agricultural, human nutrition and scientific research mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC). NARA will advocate the support of BARC and its agricultural and horticultural activities before legislative, executive, administrative and judicial bodies, and the public in general, regarding the contributions to agricultural science, safe and healthful foods, environmental quality, national security and other benefits of BARC; and consistent with BARC’s mission, promote BARC’s work regarding the maintenance and preservation of the natural and historic qualities of BARC, including open space, watershed protection and enhancement, clean air and water, and architecturally significant or historical structures.
No comments:
Post a Comment