USDA AND KANSAS FORM A FIVE-YEAR TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP
                                            Release No. 0317.97
                                                               
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
                                     Linda Cooke (309) 681-6530
                                        lcooke@asrr.arsusda.gov

USDA AND KANSAS FORM A FIVE-YEAR TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP

     HUTCHINSON, Kan., Sept. 13, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
and Kansas Lt. Governor Gary Sherrer signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) here today, marking the start of a five-year technology partnership
designed to expedite the transfer of new technologies to Kansas industries
to enhance the state's economic growth.

     "The agreement with Kansas is part of a USDA goal to help private
industry benefit from USDA technology," said Glickman.  "This collaboration
is an excellent opportunity to transform new ideas into business and
community development enterprises."  

     USDA's Agricultural Research Service and the Kansas Department of
Commerce and Housing will be the key players in the federal-state
partnership. The MOU establishes a procedure for targeting new commercial
opportunities to Kansas businesses, specifically in rural areas.

     The Kansas Legislature last year created the Agriculture Products
Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing
(KDOC&H).  The new division is specifically responsible for serving as a
catalyst for industrial agriculture through technological innovation to
expand economic opportunity for all Kansas communities.

     Under the MOU, the State of Kansas will also provide USDA's Office of
Technology Transfer with essential industrial contacts to facilitate
commercial discoveries.  The partnership will link USDA to the KDOC&H and
the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC).

     USDA has more than 1,200 patents for new agriculture-related products
and technologies, many of which can be licensed by industry.  In addition,
an active Cooperative Research and Development (CRADA) program is fusing
USDA basic research with private sector expertise.

     For example, one CRADA between USDA and a New York company seeks to
develop biodegradable containers made with wheat starch.  "This example of
technology transfer is just one that could result in new markets for Kansas
wheat farmers," said Glickman.  






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     USDA already has a strong research presence in Kansas through its U.S.
Grain Marketing Research Center (USGMRC) in Manhattan, Kan.  Significant
achievements there include wheat quality tests that are essential to
maintaining the competitive position of U.S. grain in world markets,
pesticide-free or reduced-pesticide insect-proof packages, methods to reduce
the use of fumigants in stored grain facilities, instruments that improve
speed and accuracy of wheat grading, and improved methods for grain storage
and handling.

     Another group of Manhattan-based USDA researchers developed the Stored
Grain Advisor, a personal computer model now used in more than 100
facilities storing over 100 million bushels of grain.

     "Signing this agreement strengthens our commitment to building a
diversified and competitive economy that will lead to increased job
opportunities.  As a result of this partnership, Kansas will have a stronger
position in the global marketplace," said Glickman.   
     
     The MOU was signed by Glickman and Sherrer at the Kansas State Fair in
Hutchinson.  Kansas is the fourth state to sign a technology transfer
agreement with USDA since 1995, following Florida, Wisconsin, and Louisiana.

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