The program is designed to bolster research, extension programs and education.
The $17.6 million in grants are funded through a competitive process by NIFA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, according to a news release.
“America’s organic industry continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture,” NIFA director Sonny Ramaswamy said in the release. “NIFA strives to support the development and deployment of science-based best knowledge and practices to organic producers to help them grow their businesses while solving critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems.”
Priority grant areas include biological, physical, and social science research, including economics. Eligible groups for the grants include land-grant and other research universities, federal agencies, national laboratories, state agricultural experiment stations, research foundations, and other private researchers.
