Release No. 0423.04
Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623
Marti Asner (202) 720-8188
USDA AWARDS $4.5 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROJECTS
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29-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--University of Minnesota, $463,645, for soybean aphid suppression using a fall-seeded rye cover crop
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
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