Funding-USDA Announces $3.8 Million Available to Help
Producers Transition to Organic Farming; April 15, 2016
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View this release online. USDA Announces
$3.8 Million Available to Help Producers Transition to Organic Farming
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
today announced the availability of $3.8 million to support research,
education, and extension projects that will assist current organic producers
and those transitioning into organic farming. The funding is available
through the Organic Transitions Program, administered by USDA’s National
Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). “The overall goal of the Organic Transitions Program is to support the
development and implementation of research, extension and higher education
programs and improve the competitiveness of organic livestock and crop
producers, as well as those who are adopting organic practices,” said NIFA
Director Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy. “Since 2009, NIFA has awarded more than $25
million to fund projects and programs that enhance, train, and inform the
organic community.” Previous projects funded through the Organics Transitions Program include
research from University of Illinois into multipurpose data and information
systems that will allow farmers to improve organic managements, increase
profitability, and protect the environment. Another project from the
University of New Hampshire aims to provide organic dairy farmers and the
organic dairy industry with science-based information and decision support
systems on grazing practices that maximize soil carbon sequestration and
minimize soil greenhouse gas losses. Priority concerns for fiscal year 2016 funding include:
Applications are due April 15. Please see the request for applications for
specific program requirements. Over the past six years, USDA has strengthened programs that support
organic producers as they grow, thrive and respond to increasing consumer
demand for organic products. The USDA organic seal has become a leading
global standard. In the United States, there are now 19,474 certified USDA
organic operations, representing nearly an over 250% increase since 2002.
Worldwide, there are nearly 28,000 certified organic operations in more than
120 different countries. More information about USDA’s support under this
Administration for organic producers can be found at www.usda.gov/results. Since 2009, NIFA has invested in and advanced innovative and
transformative initiatives to solve societal challenges and ensure the
long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA’s integrated research, education,
and extension programs, supporting the best and brightest scientists and
extension personnel, have resulted user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries
that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic
growth, controlling water availability, increasing food production, finding
new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability, and ensuring food
safety. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on agricultural science, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts,
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follow us on Twitter @usda_NIFA, #NIFAimpacts. # #
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