Growing the Organic Portfolio at USDA Dr. Tom Bewick USDA/CSREES National Program Leader
Organic Agriculture at CSREES Integrated Organic Program is primary funding mechanism SARE funding for organic ag also significant NRI Managed Ecosystems also funds some research and integrated proposals related directly to organic ag Many programs fund projects with indirect benefits to organic ag
The IFAFS Lesson Stakeholder advisory group that is consulted prior to development of project objectives A measurable, outcome oriented plan for dissemination of information developed by project during the life of the project Stakeholders involved in project evaluation Progress reports that demonstrate impacts
Brief History of IOP 1998 farm bill authorized Organic Transitions Program (ORG) 2002 farm bill mandated the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) 2007 farm bill House version = $25 million for 5 years Senate version = $90 million for 5 years CSREES determined that the most sensible approach was to combine separate authorities into a single program
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 $4.7 million 105 proposals 82 proposals 86 fundable (82%) 74 fundable (90 %) 50 fundable (89 %) 36 fundable (57 %) 11 funded (13 %) 8 funded (11 %) 10 funded (20 %) 12 funded (19 %)
Funding ($) based on region 2004 2005 2006 2007 NE 2,274,802 827,058 1,041,466 330,848 (2) NC 463,645 2,000,933 1,513,705 3,016,470 (6) S 305,015 861,460 1,298,421 566,601 W 1,359,607 906,131 680,557 685,289