From: Brian Hyps [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Stakeholder Input Requested for the New AFRI Program Plant and Pest Biology Stakeholders, As you may know, CSREES is requesting input into the development of an implementing regulation for a new research, education and extension program called the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). A public meeting is scheduled for September 10. Many of you may want to see world leading plant and pest biology research programs now supported by the NRI continued in AFRI. Some may want to see some additional emphasis in certain areas of plant and pest biology research. As you know, the public meeting offers a good opportunity for supporters of plant and pest biology research to urge strong representation of this research in AFRI. Written comments may be submitted until Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Please see http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/reporting/stakeholder/an_stakeholder _afri.html <http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/reporting/stakeholder/an_stakeholde r_afri.html> for more information about the AFRI program and the public meeting. We appreciate the assistance of Liang-Shiou Lin of CSREES in providing information on the meeting. Brian Hyps Public Affairs Director American Society of Plant Biologists 15501 Monona Drive Rockville, Maryland 20855 phone: 301-251-0560 www.aspb.org