Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said $5 million has been awarded to 11 institutions to conduct air quality research. This research investment is part of USDA's overall air quality program, and marks the second year of funding.

“These air quality awards continue to represent a new direction for fundamental and applied research at USDA to provide sound science that protects the environment while maintaining a viable agricultural production system,” said Johann. “The Bush Administration is committed to enhancing our natural resources and these grants will help find solutions to meet today's challenges.”

“The grants will target the impact of air quality resulting from farm animal operations, greenhouse gases, emissions from post-harvest practices and improved methods for measuring gases in the atmosphere,” said Joseph J. Jen undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics. Funding for the awards was provided by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES).

The 11 institutions designated to receive awards are:

University of California, Davis, Calif. $463,000.

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa $482,000.

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. $395,000.

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. $482,000.

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. $482,000.

University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn. (two awards) $907,000.

University of New Hampshire, Durham, N. H. $454,000.

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas $369,000.

Washington State University, Pullman, Wash. $482,000.

Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Athens, Ga. $481,000.