For Immediate Release:
March 12, 2010 |
Contact: |
Ted Quaday
Communications Director
831-426-6606
ted@ofrf.org |
Unprecedented Organic Seed Initiative to Include OFRF
CLIF BAR Family Foundation Commits $500,000
to Foster Partnership
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A landmark new Organic Seed Initiative launched by the CLIF BAR Family Foundation will include a partnership and collaboration with the Santa Cruz-based Organic Farming Research Foundation. The CLIF BAR Family Foundation announced the five-year, $500,000 seed initiative this week at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA.
OFRF Board President Deirdre Birmingham characterized the initiative as a giant-step forward for organic research that will provide multiple benefits in the on-going effort to develop strong organic seed lines.
“We have funded a variety of organic seed research projects over the years, and the new Organic Seed Initiative will build on that work,” said Birmingham. “It will encourage the involvement of a new generation of organic seed researchers, and open the door to more seed research at our land grant universities.”
Since 1990, OFRF has funded 22 plant breeding and seed related projects with a total of $368,000 invested. The foundation will administer seed research grants under the partnership, which also includes the Center for Food Safety and the Organic Seed Alliance.
OFRF Executive Director Bob Scowcroft said the Organic Seed Initiative represented clear forward thinking and a deep understanding of the importance of organic seed to the resilience of organic farming systems.
“Our hats are off to the CLIF BAR Family Foundation for its vision and generous commitment to helping ensure that organic seed development continues with vigor,” said Scowcroft.
“This partnership is a natural fit for the Organic Farming Research Foundation. Each member of the team will lend its expertise to the monumental effort to ensure viable organic seed into the future,” Scowcroft added.
Scowcroft said details related to requests for research proposals will be released later this spring or early summer. He said it is likely a first round of seed research grants will be going out before the end of this year.
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. Additional information available at ofrf.org
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