Winter/Spring 1998 (v10n1)
 

Sources of Funding

 Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Grants

Farmers, commodity groups and academic researchers are encouraged to apply for grants administered by SAREP to improve soil fertility and crop protection with cultural practices and biological pest control that reduce reliance on agricultural chemicals. Awards will range from $80,000 to $100,000 per year and will be available through the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) program. The first round of BIFS grants--funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Department of Pesticide Regulation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--supports ongoing projects in winegrapes and field crops. New funding from the federal EPA and the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources permits SAREP to fund two or more additional projects. The core of the BIFS program is a team-based approach to information exchange with farmers, consultants, UC farm advisors and researchers, and independent pest-control advisors working together.

"An increasing number of California farmers representing many commodities and counties have been able to maintain yields and quality while greatly reducing their reliance on agricultural chemicals, including pesticides and synthetic fertilizers," says SAREP Director Bill Liebhardt.

The elements these farmers integrate into their production systems include biological and cultural control of pests; on-farm habitats for beneficial insects, mites and spiders; a strong emphasis on soil-building practices, often including biological nitrogen fixation to supply all or part of the nitrogen needed by crop plants; and reduced reliance on agricultural chemicals.

Applicants for BIFS funds may employ additional techniques, such as field monitoring for pest and beneficial organisms; collection of weather data; reliance on research-based action thresholds; use of selective biorational pesticides; and soil, water and plant-tissue testing.

"For this round of grants we are inviting interested individuals to submit a two-page pre-proposal," says Jenny Broome, BIFS coordinator, so principal investigators may obtain feedback on their potential project to enable them to develop full proposals that will most effectively fulfill the program's criteria.

New proposals for BIFS funding to study these farmers' production systems are now being sought. A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) was recently released. Pre-proposals may be submitted by March 16, 1998. It is not necessary to submit a pre-proposal, but the feedback provided may help clarify program goals. Full proposals are due May 15, 1998. California institutions and individuals are invited to apply for funding. Principal investigators on BIFS projects may be private individuals, for-profit and non-profit corporations, including commodity boards, Resource Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service Districts or soil conservationists, University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors, Cooperative Extension specialists, area IPM advisors, and faculty of any accredited California institution of higher learning. To obtain the RFP, or for more information, contact SAREP at (530) 752-7556 or visit its Web site at http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu.

 

Organic Research Grants

The Organic Farming Research Foundation is offering funds for organic farming research, dissemination of research results to organic farmers and growers interested in making the transition to organic production, and consumer education on organic farming issues. Projects should involve farmers in design and execution, and take place on working farms when possible. Proposals of $3,000-$5,000 are encouraged. Matching funds and/or in-kind contributions are recommended. Proposals are considered twice a year; the next round of proposals must be received by July 15, 1998. To receive copies of grant application procedures and the OFRF Research and Education Priorities describing target areas, write Grants Program, Organic Farming Research Foundation, PO Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; Tel: (408) 426-6606.

Funding Resources/Web sites:

  • Funding-seekers may want to investigate the Environmental Grantmaking Funding 1998 Directory, published by Resources for Global Sustainability, PO Box 22770, Rochester, NY 14692-2770; Tel: (800) 724-1857; Fax: (716) 473-0968; email: rgs@environmentalgrants.com Web site: http://www.environmentalgrants.com/ The 1050-page directory includes information on 800 grantmaking foundations. Cost is $94 plus $6 shipping and handling; a CD-Rom version is $104 plus handling.
  • Another Web site for funding sources is The Foundation Center at http://fdncenter.org/ (or the "no frills" site for those with lower bandwidth Web access: http://fdncenter.org/2index.html). This site includes tips on the fundraising process, links to Web sites of more than 190 grantmakers, the Philanthropy News Digest, and other information.

 

Another site:

 
[ Back | Search | Feedback ]