Jan 23, 2019

Organic soil research benefits from grant funding

Organic Farming Research Foundation’s (OFRF) research program got a big boost thanks to a matching grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR). The $66,000 match will be used to support OFRF’s 2019 organic research grant awards related to soil health, including carbon sequestration, reduced tillage systems, and fertility management focused on reducing environmental impacts and improving soil health.

“While modest in size, our competitive grant program plays a crucial role in advancing innovative projects on working farms and ranches, with strong collaboration between organic farmers and researchers,” explains Brise Tencer, OFRF’s Executive Director. “We are so grateful for this matching grant as it will enable us to fund more of the outstanding proposals we received for this year’s grants.”

“Collaboration is a cornerstone of FFAR’s mission,” adds LaKisha Odom, Scientific Program Director at FFAR. “We feel this partnership is a prime example of what we value at FFAR: growing nutritious food sustainably on thriving farms. While FFAR supports research in all types of production systems, we are excited about this first foray into organic agriculture.”

FFAR was established with bipartisan support in the 2014 Farm Bill to build unique partnerships to support innovative science addressing today’s food and agriculture challenges. FFAR matches every federal dollar with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment.

OFRF’s grants program is open to all applicants residing and conducting research in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Proposals must involve farmers or ranchers in project design and implementation must take place on certified organic land. All research projects require strong education and outreach components and contain measurable outcomes. Proposals for the 2019 grant cycle are in review and awards will be announced this spring.

To date, OFRF has invested over $3M in 339 grants across North America. Overall, OFRF grant funding has advanced scientific knowledge and improved the practices, ecological sustainability, and economic prosperity of organic farming. Project results are shared freely at ofrf.org. OFRF also provides free access to all its educational materials and resources.

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is a non-profit foundation that works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production.