SE Nebraska News

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced she has advanced $16 million in additional funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which now awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.

"The USDA Ag Research Service facility located at UNL will be a hub for world class agricultural innovation. That’s why I was pleased to advocate for this funding to construct the second phase of the ARS Center, which will continue to help attract students, scientists, and industry leaders who are focused on turning valuable research into tangible products for our farmers and ranchers," Fischer said.

Fischer also secured additional funding and provisions for Nebraska that include $1.5 million for the National Drought Mitigation Center at UNL; prioritizing ARS research for the beef industry at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska; and requiring the USDA to streamline contracting and procurement services for livestock research facilities to assist USMARC with cost overruns on facility improvements.