Sources of Funding

SAREP/UC IPM Meeting Grants

SAREP, in collaboration with the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project (IPM), has released Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for grants to support workshops, field days, symposia, and seminars that take place between August 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002. Grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded for events addressing these topic areas: integrated pest management in agricultural or urban settings, organically acceptable pest control methods, biologically based alternatives to methyl bromide, agroforestry practices, or promoting the development of community food systems. These grants are available to individuals affiliated with California public or private educational institutions, non-profit, tax-exempt organizations, or state or federal government agencies. Participation of UC Cooperative Extension in proposals is encouraged. Proposals are due May 22, 2001. Awards will be announced by July 15, 2001. Current RFPs are posted on SAREP’s Web site at www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/grants/request.htm. The site also describes events funded in previous funding cycles. For more information or to receive a paper copy of the RFP, contact SAREP grants manager Bev Ransom at (530) 754-8546; baransom@ucdavis.edu.

SAREP Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Grants

SAREP expects to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for BIFS projects this spring. These grants will be available to individuals and institutions based in California to lead large, collaborative demonstration projects on biologically integrated management of field crops, row crops, orchards, vineyards or livestock. Awards typically range from $50,000 to $100,000 per year. This RFP will be posted on SAREP’s Web site at www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/grants/request.htm. The site also provides links to descriptions of previously funded BIFS projects. For more information or to receive a paper copy of the RFP, contact SAREP grants manager Bev Ransom at (530) 754-8546; baransom@ucdavis.edu.

USDA Fund for Rural America

More than $30 million in loans and grants to expand research, education and development in rural U.S. cities is now available through the USDA’s Fund for Rural America. Approximately $10 million will be offered in competitive research, education, and extension grants that help promote the creation of local rural development strategies, including but not limited to establishing biomass and ethanol information sharing and market development programs. The remaining $20 million will go to USDA programs which promote business and economic development, outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers, and cooperative development, as well as natural resource and conservation efforts. Up to $600,000 will be available for proposals that address rural community vitality and increased economic development, including locally owned value-added processing facilities. The program also seeks projects addressing issues dealing with demographic changes in rural America, including the aging of rural America, the role of new immigrants in the workforce, and youth retention and workforce development. Colleges, universities, and private research organizations will be eligible for funding through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. The full Request for Proposals is available at www.reeusda.gov/fra/. Deadline for submitting applications is June 19, 2001.

Food, Ag Systems Grants

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) is requesting grant proposals for the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems Program (IFAFS) for fiscal year 2001 to support research, extension and education grants addressing key issues of national and regional importance to agriculture, forestry, and related topics. The amount available for support is approximately $113,400,000. Project proposals and proposals for Multidisciplinary Graduate Education Traineeship Grants must be received by April 23, 2001. Critical or Emerging Issues proposals must be received by June 1, 2001. Applicants may email a Letter of Intent to Rodney Foil at rfoil@reeusda.gov or send the letter by mail to IFAFS, Mail Stop 2213, CSREES, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-2213; or fax the Letter of Intent to IFAFS at (202) 690-3858. The address for express mail or hand-delivered proposals is IFAFS, c/o Proposal Services Unit, CSREES, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 1307, Waterfront Centre; 800 9th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024. Proposals sent via U.S. mail must be sent to Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems, c/o Proposal Services Unit, CSREES, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 2245, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-2245. For more information, contact Foil or Sally Rockey, Tel: (202) 401-1761, Email: srockey@reeusda.gov.

USDA Grants for Value-Added Ventures

USDA Rural Development has made $25 million in grants available for the development of agricultural producer-owned processing businesses. The new Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants program is designed to encourage independent producers of agricultural commodities to process their raw products into marketable goods, thereby increasing farm income. Of the total amount, $5 million will be awarded to establish a pilot project, “The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.” The remaining $20 million will go to help associations of independent producers establish value-added business ventures. The maximum allowable grant amount is $500,000, and grant recipients must provide one-to-one matching funds. Grant applications for this purpose will be accepted in two rounds. Applications for the first round must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time, April 23, 2001. The deadline for the second round is 4 p.m. Eastern Time, June 27, 2001. Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher learning are eligible to apply to establish the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. All applications for this grant must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time, April 30, 2001. This program is administered by USDA’s Rural Business Cooperative Service. Further information is available at USDA Rural Development state offices, or at the following Web site: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm

Organic Research Grants

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) invites applications for research grants of up to $10,000 for consideration in its twice-yearly funding cycle. Funds are offered 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. OFRF technical program coordinator Jane Sooby is available to work with farmers and others interested in doing on-farm research and applying for grants. The foundation’s on-farm research guide gives an overview of the research process and is accessible through OFRF’s Web site (www.ofrf.org) under “research program” or can be ordered free of charge by calling OFRF at (831) 426-6606. The deadlines for proposal consideration are January 15 for the spring funding cycle and July 15 for the fall funding cycle. Contact Sooby at OFRF, PO Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 or email research@ofrf.org or jane@ofrf.org

SAREP conserves resources with RFP announcements via Web, email

Recognizing that a majority of Californians now have access to email and the Web, SAREP will no longer mail paper copies of its RFPs to everyone on the mailing list. Instead, RFP announcements are being posted on SAREP’s Web site and announced via email. Individuals wishing to receive a paper copy of any SAREP RFP should contact SAREP office manager, Linda Fugitt at (530) 752-7556; llfugitt@ucdavis.edu.