1. Growing the Organic Portfolio at USDA
Dr. Tom Bewick
USDA/CSREES
National Program Leader

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 %)

6. 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