Agricultural research funding remains strong at the University of Georgia. The university has been ranked No. 4 in the nation in research funding by the National Science Foundation.

The NSF reported agricultural research and development dollars expended through UGA in 2005 at a bit less than $92 million.

The agency recently released its nationwide ranking of programs. UGA came in fourth behind the University of Florida, University of California at Davis and Purdue University.

"This report highlights the fact that the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia is one of the leading agricultural research institutions in the nation," said J. Scott Angle, CAES dean and director.

"Add to this what I believe to be the leading Extension and 4-H programs in the U.S. and improving and growing academic programs in Athens, Griffin and Tifton, Ga.," Angle said, "and we clearly have much to be proud of."

The NSF defines agricultural science to include such disciplines as agricultural production, agronomy, animal science, fish and wildlife, forestry, plant science, soil science and others.

"Our faculty, staff and students are committed to excellence," Angle said. "And this report demonstrates and affirms what many of us already know."