Visit to Washington, D.C.

Mark McDonald, a MS Student in the Department of Plant and Soil Science, and Research Assistant at Texas A&M AgriLife Lubbock, attended a trip to Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Visit Days (CVD) through ASA, CSSA, and SSSA. The purpose of the trip was to advocate for increased funding for scientific research across the board, with a specific focus on increasing AFRI grant funding. Mark's trip to the US Capitol was possible via the Future Leaders in Science Award which recognizes students with a desire to be involved in science policy. Mark and a fellow Ph.D. graduate student, Dan Sandor (University of Arkansas) had the opportunity to meet with the offices of Congressmen Jodey Arrington, Mike Conaway, and Bill Flores as well as the offices of Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. Alongside Dan and Dr. David Baltensperger (Texas A&M), Mark discussed the importance of science research on the Texas High Plains, and the need for increased funding to continue the valuable work he and the rest of the researchers at both Texas Tech and Texas A&M are conducting. Mark hopes to continue his involvement with advocating for agricultural research and encourages anyone with a desire to be involved to contact him about how to apply for CVD and how to be involved in advocacy here at home.

Mark McDonald at US Capitol.

 

Mark McDonald, Congressman Jodey Arrington, and Dan Sandor with 'Guns Up!'

Text and Images Courtesy of Mark McDonald. March 2018

Related Link:

•  Congressional Visit Days
• PSS: The Turnrow
• TTU Department of Plant and Soil Science