The North American Strawberry Growers Association (NASGA) is asking for public support to help protect an important strawberry research and breeding program in the United States.
"The USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Station in Maryland, including its strawberry research program, is slated for closure. This program has played a critical role in developing successful strawberry varieties and providing genetics for disease resistance that benefits growers across the United States and North America," the company states in an open letter.
© North American Strawberry Growers Association
"We strongly encourage every member to contact their U.S. Congressman and ask them to support maintaining the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Station and to oppose the closure of the strawberry research program."
NASGA has sent out a draft letter of support that that can be sent directly to local a Congressman.
"We encourage you to personalize it if you wish, but even sending it as written is impactful. It would be especially powerful to have letters sent from all 50 states.
"As Sam Erwin noted in his recent report, many outstanding strawberry varieties and critical disease-resistance genetics have come from this specific program. We need to do everything we can to preserve it at Beltsville—or ensure the program continues elsewhere if the station is closed."
For more information:
The North American Strawberry Growers Association (NASGA)
Tel: (+1) 613-862-4321
nasga.org/
