A bipartisan bill to be introduced Thursday from Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) would re-up a program to foster next-generation agricultural research that addresses the agriculture sector’s ability to withstand extreme weather events, Andrew writes.

Driving the news: The measure, to be introduced this morning, would increase the funding for a program that sponsors high-risk, high-reward agricultural research and expand its scope.

• It would include, for example, research on ways agricultural lands can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water and soils, and withstand pathogens, among other priorities.

The big picture: The government currently works on cutting-edge research in defense and energy through DARPA and ARPA-E, but the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA), authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill, has not been adequately funded, the bill sponsors contend.

• The bill would double the program’s authorization from $50 million to $100 million.
• The program would also be tasked with researching ways to increase food production and nutrition to meet a growing population.

What’s next: The bipartisan measure could be wrapped into the farm bill, which is considered must-pass legislation for this divided Congress.

What they’re saying: “As Colorado’s family farmers and ranchers face persistent drought, higher costs, extreme weather, and increased global competition, it is more important than ever to invest in cutting-edge research to spur agricultural breakthroughs, including practices to conserve water and cut greenhouse gas emissions,” Bennet said in a statement.