U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt introduced legislation on March 13 to extend and raise authorized funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Policy Research Centers program, which includes the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Center (FAPRI-MU). The bill would continue the program’s authorization until 2031 and increase its annual funding to $15 million.
The proposed legislation is significant because FAPRI-MU has played a key role in providing economic and policy analysis that supports decision-making in agriculture. The center’s work helps inform policies affecting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the country.
Schmitt said, “Missouri is proud to house the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at Mizzou, a worldwide leader in agricultural market research and policy analysis. For decades, FAPRI-MU has provided decision-makers at all levels of government and industry with sound research and economic modeling to ensure policy options are grounded in a clear-eyed view of the challenges facing our farmers and ranchers every day. The work being done in Columbia and across Missouri doesn’t just inform debate in Washington—it helps safeguard the future of our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the country, and I’m proud to support their vital work.”
Christopher Daubert, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri, said, “FAPRI-MU has served as a trusted resource for Congress and America’s farmers and ranchers for more than 40 years, providing the data-driven analysis needed to support strong farm policy and a competitive U.S. agricultural economy. We are grateful to Senator Schmitt for his leadership in supporting the continued work of our Policy Research Centers and strengthening American agriculture.”
FAPRI-MU provides economic models that estimate how different agricultural policies affect prices, quantities produced or consumed, producers’ incomes, consumer costs, and government spending. The center also conducts quantitative research on trade issues, farm income trends, biofuel policies, and frequently responds to requests from Congress as well as federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency.
The University recently welcomed Dr. Seth Meyer—USDA Chief Economist from 2021-2025—to lead FAPRI-MU’s flagship research efforts.
Schmitt serves as a U.S. Senator from Missouri with offices throughout cities including Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City, Cape Girardeau—and Washington D.C.—and provides legislative representation statewide according to his official website. He also serves on Senate committees such as Armed Services; Commerce; Science; and Transportation according to his official website.
