Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chairwoman of the committee, have introduced legislation to establish a Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) that would solicit private donations to enhance agricultural research.  Senator Roberts said, “Agriculture research must remain a priority for our nation, especially given the role food plays in national security and stability.  Establishing this foundation is an innovative way to generate new sources of funding for agricultural research by leveraging our public investment in agricultural research with private donations during a time of federal budgetary constraints.”  The purpose of the 501(c)3 non-profit corporation is to advance and support USDA agricultural research activities focusing on plant health; production and products; animal health; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy; natural resources and environment; agricultural and food security; and agriculture systems and technology.  Other federally mandated foundations in the area of federal research include: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Forest Foundation.