Santa Cruz, California
March 24, 2009
Encouraging new leaders and
supporting innovative production and education concepts, the
Organic Farming Research
Foundation (OFRF) completed its grant giving in 2008 with a
record $436,000 awarded to 27 research projects in the United
States and Canada.
An autumn grant round of more than $224,000 was awarded to 12
organic research and education projects. When combined with 15
spring grants totaling $212,000, OFRF's 2008 grant total was
more than twice the amount granted in any previous year.
Executive Director Bob Scowcroft said the grants build organic
farming’s future in two distinct ways.
“Over our years of investing in building organic knowledge, many
of our grant recipients have gone on to take leadership roles in
organic research and education at universities and in their
communities,” said Scowcroft. “Often, OFRF funding has helped
grantees leverage additional research dollars, enabling them to
deepen their scientific inquiries.”
Research support in 2008 included awards to scientists studying
improved seed breeding, biodiversity enhancement, pest control,
and nutrient management on organic farms. Research efforts to
improve organic fruit production received significant support
through a special partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company.
A new education/outreach component of the grant program provided
funds to four projects. Among them were Scott Black’s
Oregon-based work to develop educational materials to help
farmers conserve wild pollinator habitat on their farms, and
Kristine Swaren’s Ontario, Canada-based initiative to help
farmers develop cropping plans for organic market gardens.
“Our grant recipients are innovators who are leading organic
farming and the organic movement through exploration of
creative, science-based production practices,” said Jane Sooby,
OFRF’s Organic Research Specialist.
Previous OFRF funded researchers who have grown their leadership
capacity over time include Mary Peet, who is about to become one
of two National Program Leaders for Horticulture and Organic
Agriculture at the USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education
and Extension Services; and Nancy Creamer, who is now the
director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems at
North Carolina State University.
The foundation administers a competitive grants program as part
of its mission to foster the improvement and widespread adoption
of organic farming systems. Growers, researchers, and educators
are encouraged to submit proposals by May 15 for consideration
in the fall 2009 grant round. Proposals on all topics pertinent
to organic farming are welcome.
Since 1990, OFRF has awarded 280 grants totaling more than $2
million. A 2005 review found that these modest grants have
influenced the careers of organic research and education leaders
and contributed to the establishment and expansion of organic
programs at public agricultural institutions. More than 120
reports from funded projects covering an array of organic
farming topics are available free at ofrf.org. A complete list
of OFRF grants is also available on the site.
The Foundation’s requests for proposals for research and
education/outreach project funding are available at
ofrf.org/grants/apply.html. The spring application deadline is
May 15. Those interested in learning more about OFRF’s grant
program are invited to contact Jane Sooby at (831) 426-6606,
x107 or jane@ofrf.org.
Grants Awarded by the Organic Farming Research Foundation
Fall 2008
The OFRF Board of Directors awarded 12 new grants in November
totaling $224,220 including three fruit research projects, which
received a total of $129,162. Here are OFRF’s latest investments
in new organic knowledge:
Research projects
Phillip Fujiyoshi
$2,550
University of California,
Davis. Davis, California
Harnessing aphid alarm pheromone to rid
broccoli of aphids.
Eric
Hanson
$57,597
(3 years)
Michigan State University. East Lansing, Michigan
Optimizing mulch and fertilizer use in organic
blueberries.
Funded in partnership with Stretch Island Fruit
Company.
Julie Jedlicka
$15,000
University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz,
California
Songbird conservation and insect pest
management in vineyards.
Bruce Linquist
$13,817
University of California, Davis. Davis, California
Evaluation of alternative nitrogen
sources for rice systems.
Patrick Moore
$ 38,640
(3 years)
Washington State University Cooperative Extension.
Puyallup, Washington
Evaluation of day-neutral strawberries.
Funded in partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company.
Jeff Moyer
$15,000
Rodale Institute. Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Managing cutworms in organic no-till
corn, year 2 |
Harald Scherm
$32,925
(2 years)
University of Georgia. Athens, Georgia
Fish extracts for integrated disease, insect, and
fertility management in organic blueberries.
Funded in partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company.
William Tracy
$14,795
University of Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin
Participatory plant breeding to improve
sweet corn.
Education/outreach projects
Linda Barnes
$10,500
Marshalltown Community
College. Marshalltown, Iowa
Bilingual organic farmer training and
mentorship program.
Scott Black
$8,000
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Portland,
Oregon
Managing farm habitat for wild
pollinators.
Kristine Swaren
$7,125
Canadian Organic Growers. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Crop planning for the organic market
garden: a handbook.
Kimberly Williams
$8,271
Kansas State University. Manhattan, Kansas
Developing web resources for organic high
tunnel production.
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