[OKC] USDA Announces Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Projects

[Miles, Karen]

<https://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/590864/05a332da045c6d
3b10d38bd3727c130c/image/jpeg> 
 
 
	Release No. 0567.10
Contact:
Jennifer Martin 
(202) 720-8188
 
USDA Announces Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Projects
 
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2010 - USDA's National Institute of Food and
Agriculture (NIFA) today awarded 30 grants to enhance the ability of
organic producers and processors grow and market high quality organic
agricultural products. 
"More and more farmers are adopting organic agriculture practices to
produce quality food and boost farm income," said Roger Beachy, director
of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). "These
research and extension projects will equip producers with the tools and
resources they need to operate profitable and sustainable organic
farms." 
NIFA awarded more than $18 million through the Organic Agriculture
Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). Research at USDA increasingly
focuses on the science that supports development of sustainable
practices in agriculture and forestry, including organic farming, to
both reduce negative impacts on the environment and keep U.S. farmers
competitive. For more OREI information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=66611734&msgid=304392&act=8XR
E&c=590864&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nifa.usda.gov%2Ffo%2Forganicagri
cultureresearchandextensioninitiative.cfm> . 
Additionally, more than $4 million was awarded through the Organic
Transitions Program (ORG). In FY 2010, this program focused on
environmental services provided by organic farming systems that support
soil conservation and contribute to climate change mitigation. Practices
and systems addressed include those associated with organic crops,
organic animal production (including dairy) and organic systems
integrating plant and animal production. More information on the program
can be found online at
www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/organictransitionsprogram.cfm
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=66611734&msgid=304392&act=8XR
E&c=590864&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nifa.usda.gov%2Ffo%2Forganictran
sitionsprogram.cfm> . 
Some U.S. producers are turning to certified organic farming systems as
a potential way to lower input costs, decrease reliance on nonrenewable
resources, capture high-value markets and premium prices and boost farm
income. Since the late 1990s, U.S. organic production has seen heavy
growth. Now, more than two-thirds of U.S. consumers buy organic products
at least occasionally, and 28 percent buy organic products weekly. 
Fiscal Year 2010 OREI awards include: 
* University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., $2,907,334 
* University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., $45,713 
* University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, $108,815 
* USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Peoria, Ill., $49,666 
* Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $1,288,010 
* USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Ames, Iowa, $2,864,478 
* University of Maryland, College Park, Md., $526,781 
* Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., $963,762 
* Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., $616,492 
* University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., $1,273,250 
* Farmers` Legal Action Group, Inc., St. Paul, Minn., $109,200 
* University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H., $31,372 
* Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., $2,428,677 
* South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D., $43,809 
* University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., $50,000 
* Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, $661,437 
* USDA-Agricultural Research Service, College Station, Texas, $967,916 
* Utah State University, Logan, Utah, $1,019,411 
* University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., $759,516 
* Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., $1,538,115 
* West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.V., $31,344 
* University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc., $658,735 
* University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc., $574,621 
Fiscal Year 2010 ORG awards include: 
* University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., 624,148 
* University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill., $649,883 
* Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, $691,969 
* University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H., $700,000 
* North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., 590,906 
* Texas AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, Texas, $697,012 
* University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo., $700,000 
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and
extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving
critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.
More information is at: www.nifa.usda.gov
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=66611734&msgid=304392&act=8XR
E&c=590864&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nifa.usda.gov%2F> . 
________________________________


USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call
(800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
	
 
 
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