Santa Cruz, California, USA
November 5, 2015

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) grants program is currently accepting research proposals from applicants residing in Canada, Mexico and the United States. In particular, OFRF encourages farmers, ranchers, graduate students, early career researchers, veterans, and Extension personnel to consider applying.
 
OFRF was founded over 25 years ago with the mission to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. To date, we have granted over $3 million for 326 research projects, ranging from developing GMO resistant corn to creating organic tools to fight pests and disease. All research results are freely available at ofrf.org.
 
“Farmers and ranchers often find that working with a professional researcher helps them design and carry out a research project, and we strongly encourage applications from such partnerships,” said Diana Jerkins, Research Program Director at OFRF. “All of the proposals will be reviewed and awarded by the OFRF Board of Directors, most of whom are certified organic producers.”
 
OFRF recently completed a National Survey of Organic Farmers, receiving feedback from more that 1,000 farmers across the U.S. The results, which identify the issues most critical to the success of organic farmers, provide a roadmap for future research. Priorities for this year’s research include projects related to soil health, with emphasis on water management (e.g., soil health for drought and flood conditions); creating new organic farmers and ranchers and transition of producers to organic systems including education and training; livestock production, especially breeding for organic systems, diseases and pasture management; and small grain production, especially related to creating a diverse rotational system.
 
The deadline for proposals is February 8, 2016. OFRF will make funding decisions in March, 2016 and applicants will be notified of these decisions by mid-spring, 2016.
 
To submit a proposal, visit OFRF.org.

OFRF would like to thank Driscoll’s, Lundberg Family Farms and UNFI Foundation for their support of our research programs.

Organic Farming Research Foundation is a non-profit foundation that works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production.

Website: http://www.ofrf.org

Published: November 5, 2015