WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today awarded
five grants to support research, education and Extension programs that
will improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop
producers.
"The organic industry is a rapidly growing segment of American
agriculture and it is important we continue to invest in sound science
to support organic producers," said Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The
discoveries these grants enable can help farmers who are looking to
adopt the best organic practices that will make their operations more
competitive and sustainable."
The grants disbursed include more than $3 million through the Organic
Transitions Program (ORG). ORG is an essential part of USDA's
commitment to the organic farm sector. USDA's flagship program to fund
organic production, the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension
Initiative (OREI), currently remains unauthorized to continue until a
new Farm Bill is passed by Congress.
Fiscal Year 2013 ORG awards include:
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., $675,719. This project
focuses on developing sustainable wholefarm systems for organic pecan
production in the Southeast.
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $464,482. This
project will develop alternatives to antibiotics for fire blight control
in organic crops.
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., $718,225. This project
will create a series of online, interactive educational modules with a
focus on the fundamentals of organic agriculture and how to transition
to organic farming.
- University of Texas Pan American. Edinburg, Texas, $746,973. This
project focuses on launching an innovative new academic program that
engages students in rigorous, well-designed research projects designed
to address real-world problems faced by organic farmers in south Texas.
- Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., $749,661. This project
examines whether, over time, the adoption of organic farming improves
natural pest control.
This year, NIFA also awarded $847,637 in continuation awards to
previous ORG awardees. North Carolina State University's project seeking
to understand the impact of organic systems in the Southeastern United
States on greenhouse gas emissions and educate stakeholders and students
about maximizing the mitigation potential of these systems received
Fiscal Year 2013 continuation funding. Also receiving an award that will
allow them to build on prior research accomplishments is Texas AgriLife
Research for their program to quantify the effects of cover crops,
organic soil amendments, and cultivar choice on rice yield, milling
quality, soil quality, soil carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas
emissions.
In fiscal year 2013, ORG priorities included determining "ecosystem
services", i.e., environmental benefits, provided by organic farming
systems in the area of soil conservation and climate change mitigation,
including reduction of greenhouse gases. In addition, ORG helps develop
educational tools for Cooperative Extension personnel and other
agricultural professionals who advise producers on organic practices.
ORG also supports the organic industry to develop appropriate practices
and materials to correspond with the National Organic Program's National
List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. More information on the
program may be found online at www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/organictransitionsprogram.cfm.
Since the late 1990s, U.S. organic production has grown
significantly. U.S. producers are increasingly turning to certified
organic farming systems as a potential way to decrease reliance on
nonrenewable resources, capture high-value markets and premium prices,
and boost farm income. Today, more than two-thirds of U.S. consumers buy
organic products at least occasionally, and 28 percent buy organic
products weekly.
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and
extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving
critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.
More information is at www.nifa.usda.gov. |