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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><img width=189 height=49 style='width:1.9722in;height:.5138in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DAB72E.87A35D60" alt="A close-up of a logo
Description automatically generated"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Dear FHB Community,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Unfortunately, the Executive Committee was recently notified that the USWBSI FY24 budget was reduced by $1 million in extramural funded projects to $7.6M (previously $8.6M). USDA-ARS intramural funding remained at $6.4M. As a result, a modification to ~20% of the FY24 projects was required. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The reduction in extramural funding has had a significant impact on USWBSI projects. To ensure funding is fully restored for FY25, we are asking for your assistance to reach out to your representatives and reinforce the importance of this research and the potential consequences reduced funding will have for stakeholders. Please prepare a brief email in your own words on the impact and request the funds be reinstated. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Consider the following when preparing your message:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Express your appreciation for the widespread congressional support given to USWBSI.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Voice concerns regarding last minute cuts to the USWBSI extramural funds and your expectation that this is avoided with the FY2025 Budget.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Highlight the importance of the work being done for your state and congressional district (additional talking points and stats for reference are available at <a href="https://scabusa.org/uswbsi-impacts">USWBSI Overview</a>).<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Indicate how the reduction in funding impacts the work of USWBSI.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Include our ask: Reinstate the full $8.6 million in extramural funding for the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) from the authorized appropriation of $15 million that supports Fusarium research of wheat and barley.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Repeat your thanks for the past support and provide contact information for further questions.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Key members to contact are the Senate and House Appropriations and specifically those on the Ag Appropriations Subcommittee. Representatives can be found using your zip code at these links:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>House – <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative">Find Your Representative</a> <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoPlainText style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>Senate – <a href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm">Find Your Senators</a> <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Feel free to contact the <a href="mailto:nfo@scabusa.org">USWBSI NFO</a> for assistance with additional background materials or identifying specific representative contacts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We appreciate your prompt response to this request. Work on the FY25 budget is currently underway, receipt of your timely message will bring awareness to this situation and help influence decisions that are being made next week. <b>Please send your email no later than June 10.</b> Once sent, we also ask that you <b>forward your message to the <a href="mailto:nfo@scabusa.org">USWBSI NFO</a></b>, as we will be tracking efforts and utilizing in other communications. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Ruth Dill-Macky Richard Magnusson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Co-Chair, USWBSI Co-Chair, USWBSI<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:ruthdm@umn.edu">ruthdm@umn.edu</a> <a href="mailto:rmags@wiktel.com">rmags@wiktel.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>This email was sent because you subscribed to the USWBSI FHB Listserv. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe by sending your request to <a href="mailto:nfo@scabusa.org">nfo@scabusa.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E2841'>______</span></b><b><span style='color:#0E2841;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E2841'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><a name="m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663"><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#0E2841'>U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI)<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Networking & Facilitation Office (NFO)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>495 Borlaug Hall | 1991 Upper Buford Circle | St. Paul, MN 55108</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><br></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'><a href="mailto:nfo@scabusa.org" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>nfo@scabusa.org</span></a> | 517.290.5023 | <a href="http://scabusa.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>https://scabusa.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Twitter </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'><a href="https://twitter.com/USWBSI"><span style='color:#156082'>@USWBSI</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> | Linkedin </span><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/uswbsi"><span style='color:#156082'>#uswbsi</span></a></span></u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>