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Contact: Jane Sooby, 831-426-6606
Bob Scowcroft, 831-426-6606

Organic Farming Research Foundation Grantmaking
Tops $1 Million

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (May 8, 2002) - This spring, the Organic Farming Research Foundation broke the $1 million mark in its 12-year history of grantmaking.

OFRF granted $105,348 to 13 applicants in its spring funding cycle, including over $25,000 funded in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency for weed and pest management research in organic farming.

"The research we have funded has helped organic farmers make better management decisions based on data," said Bob Scowcroft, Executive Director of OFRF. "With on-going help from our supporters, our grants program is sure to grow."

Four farmer-led proposals were funded, including a project in Iowa investigating organic parasite control for lambs and an organic seed breeding study in Oregon. All projects funded by OFRF are required to have farmer participants.

To foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming practices, OFRF administers a competitive grants program that funds organic farming research and education efforts across the United States twice a year. Growers and researchers are encouraged to submit applications in time for the July 15, 2002 deadline.

Among recipients of spring 2002 grants from OFRF were:
  • Frances Zacharakis-Jutz, a student active on her family farm in Solon, Iowa, who will manage a multi-farm research project on organic parasite control for lambs in the midwest.
  • Frank and Karen Morton of Shoulder to Shoulder Farm in Philmath, Oregon, who will conduct plant breeding work in organic lettuce.
  • Thaddeus Gourd, Colorado State University Extension specialist, who will investigate weed control using propane generated flame and steam treatments. Funded in partnership with EPA.
  • Ruth Hazzard, University of Massachusetts entomologist, who will continue refining techniques to control caterpillars in organic sweet corn.

    Since 1990, OFRF has awarded over $1,000,000 in competitive grants and donor-directed funds. OFRF has 70 research reports available on topics such as weed management, insect and disease control, organic fertility management, livestock, and organic farming systems.

    Contact the Organic Farming Research Foundation for application guidelines or for a list of project reports. A free guide to conducting on-farm research is also available. Organic Farming Research Foundation, www.ofrf.org, P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA  95061, phone 831-426-6606, info@ofrf.org.

    For a full list of OFRF grants awarded in spring 2002, please visit our website or contact the office.

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