Organic crop research is just one activity organic farmers can use grant monies to support.
Organic farming is a growing trend in the United States, as purchasers have begun to realize the benefits of choosing to eat food that is not treated with harmful pesticides, not grown from genetically modified stock, and not raised using farming practices that are harmful to the environment and its inhabitants. In order to enable farmers to transition to organic farming methods, which can be labor intensive, or to expand current organic practices to represent more of a farm’s overall output, grantmakers at the national and state levels offer funding opportunities and technical support. Research boards and universities also promote the continued expansion of organic farming knowledge and practice.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program Grants
This program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices throughout the US agriculture industry. Organic farmers who emphasize long-term profit over short-term gain, who are committed to protecting the land and the water, and who vow to protect the communities that depend on agriculture are eligible for grants, which are administered by the Farmer/Rancher programs available through the program's four regional offices. Up to $30,000 is available for producers working in conjunction with an agricultural advisor to test crop or livestock research, or a marketing or educational idea, related to sustainable farming.
National Program Office of Sustainable Agriculture Programs
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mail Stop 2223
Washington, D.C. 20250-2223
202-720-6527
www.sare.org
Specialty Crop Block Grants
Part of the Farm Bill, this grant program targeting state departments of agriculture supports efforts to make specialty crops--a category that includes organic foods--more competitive. Organizations interested in securing these grant monies should contact their state departments of agriculture. In fiscal years 2010 through 2012, $55 million will be distributed through this program each year. The program guidelines specifically mention using the grant to invest in researching conservation and environmental outcomes of organic crops as a typical project that would qualify for specialty crop grant funding. The program places particular emphasis on encouraging states to develop projects that involve partnerships with community, academic, producer, or nonprofit groups that can help address the particular problems facing the specialty crop industry in question.
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 2077-S
Washington, DC 20250
202-690-4942
www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp
Organic Research and Extension Initiative Grants
Through this initiative, research, education and extension projects that help producers and/or processors to better grow and market organic products of high quality qualify for grant monies. Examples of purposes supported include the development of new and improved seed qualities particularly suitable for organic agriculture, and the development of production, propagation and processing methods for agriculture. The grant program awarded Washington State University over $600,000 to develop organic solutions to soil and weed problems, and in 2007 the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education service received $50,000 to host a Midwest Organic Research Symposium. State agricultural stations, colleges, research organizations, federal agencies, corporations and individuals are all eligible to receive grants; the initiative is funded to the tune of $20 million annually.
United States Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop 2201
Washington, DC 20250-2201
www.nifa.usda.gov
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