Washington, DC
September 30, 2004
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that
USDA is awarding $4,614,980 in
grants for 11 projects in six states that will strengthen the
Integrated Organic Program (IOP).
"These awards will help provide
information to assist farmers and ranchers increase the
production of high quality products while decreasing costs,"
Veneman said.
The IOP supports research, Extension
and higher education programs to help organic farmers
incorporate new technologies into their operations and to
develop innovative marketing strategies.
"The Integrated Organic Program helps
address the challenges faced by growers," said Agriculture Under
Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Joseph J. Jen.
"The threat of pests, for example, can be much greater for
organic farmers and ranchers because they rely on a system of
natural checks and balances."
The 2004 grants were awarded to the
following:
ARKANSAS
-
University of Arkansas, $305,015,
for slow-growing broilers in organic production: an
alternative to supplemental methionine and a marketing
opportunity
CALIFORNIA
-
University of California, Santa
Cruz, $571,902, for improving fertility and pest management
strategies for organic crop production and strengthening
researcher/grower network
-
To University of California,
Davis, $297,814, for nutrient dynamics, soil biota, and
functional biodiversity at an organic farm
-
To University of California,
Davis, $186,624, for the activity and suppression of
soil-borne pathogens and pests in organic vs. conventional
plots with conservation vs. conventional tillage
MASSACHUSETTS
-
Tufts University, $197,768, for
strengthening the scientific foundation of organic standards
on animal health and welfare
MINNESOTA
NEW YORK
-
Cornell University, $518,306, for
the transitioning dairy: identifying and addressing
challenges and opportunities in milk quality and safety
-
Cornell University, $894,450, for
the organic seed partnership
-
Cornell University $575,028, for
building on the best: a research and education partnership
for increased competitiveness of organic grain and vegetable
farms
VERMONT
-
University of Vermont, $301,161,
for profitability and transitional analysis of northeast
organic dairy farms
WASHINGTON
-
USDA's
Agricultural Research Service Tree Fruit Laboratory in
Wenatchee, $303,267, for use of resident biological
resources for the management of replant disease in organic
tree fruit production systems
USDA's Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) manages the IOP in
collaboration with partners at universities, non-profit
organizations and the organic industry through its many state
partners. To learn more about the CSREES Integrated Organic
Program, visit
http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/USDA/CSREES/OEP/USDA-GRANTS-041504-001/Grant.html
To learn more about the general
CSREES program in organic agriculture, visit
www.csrees.usda.gov/organicagriculture |
