FARGO - North Dakota State University's top agriculture researchers put on a science fair after the state's lone congressman asked for help in the farm bill debate.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., told scientists at the school's Agriculture Research Service on Thursday that Congress and the White House will likely butt heads on research funding as the farm bill is discussed in the Senate.

"It's important for me to arm myself with some of the particulars about what you're doing," Pomeroy said.

The NDSU scientists said many of their programs are "cutting-edge" and among the best in the country. Afterward, center director William Kemp said his service runs a "very lean ship" and keeps operating costs to a minimum.

"I feel good about agriculture research and the way that it's conducted in this country," Kemp said. "I think we're making great progress in doing the things that the president and Congress would like us to be doing."

One project Kemp highlighted is a federal study on sclerotinia, a disease commonly known as white mold. The disease has caused as much as $280 million a year in crop losses, researchers said.

NDSU is one of 14 universities working on the project, which is based in Fargo.

The center receives about $15 million a year in federal funding. One proposal that was defeated during the farm bill debate in the House would have cut $4 million of that, Pomeroy said.

"It would have been a tremendous disruption on programs that have continued for several years," Pomeroy said.