January 31, 2011

Special funding enabled the Organic Farming Research Foundation Board of Directors to approve five grants focused on organic seed and breeding research and education. The approvals came as part of OFRF's fall grant round last November.

The funds are provided by the Clif Bar Family Foundation as part of its Seed Matters Initiative, a five-year effort focused on protecting genetic biodiversity and farmer access to seed while reinvigorating seeds and breeds research for non-transgenic crops.
One of the grants is a second-year award to Ray Hicks, extension agent in Screven County, Georgia. Hicks is working with grower Relinda Waker to develop organic cover crop seed as a viable enterprise. Hicks and Walker found that growing clover and rye seed in the Southeast can be profitable. More information on this project is avaible on the OFRF website.

OFRF administers a competitive grants program as part of its mission to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. Proposals on all topics related to organic farming are welcome. Special funding is also available for projects in the categories of organic seed quality or crop breeding. OFRF encourages farmers, ranchers, and extension personnel to consider applying for funding. We particularly encourage partnerships between farmers and ranchers and professional researchers.
Proposals are considered twice a year. The next deadlines will be May 16 and November 15, 2011. Proposals may now be submitted electronically.

Details on applying are available through the OFRF website at http://ofrf.org/grants/apply.html or contact Grants Program Director Jane Sooby by phone at 831-426-6606 or by email at jane@ofrf.org.

Background on OFRF’s Fall 2010 Grant Awards

Total in competitive grants awarded: $50,033
All Fall 2010 grants were made in partnership with the Clif Bar Family Foundation under the Seed Matters funding initiative.

Research Projects

Kevin Murphy $14,177
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington
Farmer-based participatory plant breeding for quinoa, buckwheat, and spelt.

Ray Hicks $2,152
Screven Co. Cooperative Extension Sylvania, Georgia
Organic cover crop seed production as a sustainable enterprise for the Southeast, year 2.

James Nienhuis $11,129
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin
Reducing risk associated with organic snap bean production in Wisconsin.

Jonathan Spero $8,060
Lupine Knoll Farm
Williams, Oregon
Creating two open-pollinated, sugary enhanced sweet corn varieties.

Education/outreach projects

Micaela R. Colley $14,815
Organic Seed Alliance
Port Townsend, Washington
Four organic breeding guides: An Introduction to Organic Breeding, and Organic Breeding for Sweet Corn, Carrots, and Tomatoes.

Celebrating its 20th year, the Organic Farming Research Foundation is sowing the seeds to transform agriculture by working for the continuous improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF sponsors organic farming research and education projects, and disseminates the results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems. The organization also informs the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. OFRF is the leading farmer driven organic advocacy group in the country. Learn more about OFRF's work at www.ofrf.org.

Website: http://www.ofrf.org

Published: January 31, 2011