PRESS RELEASE |
Contacts: |
Jane Sooby: |
(831) 426-6606 |
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Steve Ela |
(970) 270-0246 |
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Grantmaking Tops $2 Million
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (June 16, 2008) – It took twelve years for the Organic Farming Research Foundation to award its first million dollars in grants and only six years to award its second million.
“At this rate we’ll grant our third million over the next three years,” noted Jane Sooby, OFRF’s Organic Research Specialist.
Steve Ela, president of OFRF’s Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of the foundation’s grants program. “While we have just scratched the surface of the research needs of organic growers, the projects we have funded have made important contributions to the improvement of organic farming methods,” said Ela, a Colorado fruit grower. "With continued support from many farmers, companies, foundations and other generous donors across the country, the OFRF board will continue to increase our investment in grantmaking.”
OFRF passed the $2 million milestone this spring when its board of directors awarded a record $211,800 in the first of its two annual grant cycles. Included in the total were two multi-year fruit research projects supported through a partnership with Stretch Island Fruit Company. Stretch Island, makers of FruitaBü organic fruit snacks, pledged $450,000 over three years to fund organic fruit research and education projects.
One of the fruit grants was awarded to Dr. Curt Rom of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville to study off-season organic blackberry and raspberry production in high tunnels. The project holds great potential to show more growers in the southern U.S. that organic fruit production is possible in the region. High tunnels are large greenhouses made of plastic sheeting stretched over a rounded frame. The tunnels protect crops from extreme temperatures, insects and diseases and extend the growing season, allowing growers to get to market earlier and increase sales.
OFRF administers a competitive grants program as part of its mission to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. Growers and researchers are encouraged to submit proposals by July 15, 2008, to be considered for a grant this fall. Proposals on all topics pertinent to organic farming are welcome as well as proposals to conduct organic fruit research or education.
Since 1990, OFRF has awarded 268 grants totaling more than $2,000,000. A 2005 analysis found that these small grants have influenced the careers of organic research leaders and contributed to the development of organic programs at public agricultural universities. Over 120 reports from funded projects covering an array of organic agriculture topics are available free on the OFRF website, www.ofrf.org. A complete list of OFRF’s grants since 1990 is also available on the site.
The Foundation’s requests for proposals for research and education/outreach project funding are available at www.ofrf.org/grants/apply.html. The annual winter application deadline is now November 15, one month earlier than in previous years. Anyone interested in learning more about OFRF’s grants program is invited to contact Jane Sooby at 831-426-6606, x107 or jane@ofrf.org.
OFRF Grants Awarded in Spring 2008
| Lindsay Fernandez-Salvador |
$7,304 |
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| Deborah Henderson |
2 Yr - $27,475 |
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About the Organic Farming Research Foundation
The Organic Farming Research Foundation was founded in 1990 to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF sponsors organic farming research and education projects, disseminates the results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and educates the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. The majority of OFRF’s board members are working organic farmers. www.ofrf.org
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