NRI includes small farms

Valerie Berton (vberton@wam.umd.edu)
Tue, 12 Jan 1999 11:56:20 -0500 (EST)

>>From: Barbara Meister <meisterb@ix.netcom.com>
>>To: time2actstaff@cfra.org, time2actcomm@cfra.org
>>Cc: eabird@facstaff.wisc.edu, kiml@harborside.com
>>Subject: NRI includes small farms
>>Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 20:31:38 -0600
>>
>>Good news! REE and the NRI staff heard our call for using some of the NRI
>>increase in funding to include an emphasis on small and mid-sized farms
>>research needs. I've attached the relevant website address below, along
>>with the description. The deadline for application is Feb. 15. That's a
>>quick turnaround. We need to work to inform those researchers and extension
>>researchers and eligible nonprofit research insitutions who work with small
>>farmers of this opportunity. Please spread the word to all those you know
>>and whatever networks you have.
>>Thanks! Let's make the most of this opportunity!
>>
>>Barbara
>>
>>http://www.reeusda.gov/crgam/nri/programs/suppl/agsys.htm
>>
>>
>> USDA NRICGP 1999 Supplemental Program Description
>>
>>
>>
>> AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
>>
>>The following announcement does not replace the Agricultural Systems program
>>announcement in NRICGP
>>Program Announcement Part 1. Research will be considered that impacts
>>agricultural systems on all scales.
>>However, this announcement encourages investigators conducting research
>>relative to small and
>>mid-sized farm and land management to consider the Agricultural Systems
>>program as a potential
>>avenue of support.
>>
>>100.0 Agricultural Systems
>>
>>Investigators are encouraged to contact the Program Director by calling the
>>NRICGP at (202)
>>401-1950 (or at tstrickland@reeusda.gov to arrange a telephone
>>consultation).
>>
>>Program Deadline: February 15, 1999
>>
>>The Agricultural Systems Program provides unique opportunities for whole
>>systems approaches (economic,
>>environmental, social and community development) to understand multiple
>>factors impacting small and mid-
>>sized land management systems in America. In addition to the systems
>>research that was invited in Part 1,
>>proposals are encouraged that emphasize such a systems approach applied to
>>small and mid-sized farm and
>>land management issues. Thus the Agricultural Systems Program supports more
>>applied projects that address
>>the needs of small and mid-sized animal, agricultural, aquatic, range,
>>wildlife, and forest systems owners and
>>managers.
>>
>>Projects should address research questions that have the potential to
>>improve management practices and
>>technologies, thus making them economically and environmentally sustainable.
>>Research question selection
>>should consider gaps in knowledge that currently diminish opportunities for
>>the small to mid-sized land manager
>>to operate profitable enterprises responding to, e.g.: small acreage
>>specialty crops and diversification,
>>small-scale animal production systems, marketing and information needs
>>associated with production and
>>certification (including direct marketing), sustainable forestry,
>>agroforestry, invasive species management across
>>multiple ownerships, aquaculture, wildlife control and management, and the
>>demands imposed by environmental
>>and regulatory requirements.
>>
>>To assist applicants in preparing a proposal, the Agricultural Systems
>>program announced in Part 1 is repeated
>>here:
>>
>>Agriculture encompasses the system that produces, processes, and distributes
>>food, fiber, and other
>>products and services from the producer to the consumer. Agricultural
>>systems also include aquaculture,
>>forestry and a diversity of supporting natural resource elements such as
>>soils, surface water,
>>groundwater, wildlife, and the atmosphere. In addition, human resources,
>>institutions, and financial
>>capital are needed to support and manage agricultural systems. It is the
>>management of all these diverse
>>and complex resources within a systems context that is critical to how well
>>the agricultural system
>>fulfills societal goals.
>>
>>Although agricultural research has most often focused on individual
>>components of systems, the NRI
>>seeks to provide opportunities for integration of these components through a
>>systems research program.
>>The objective is to obtain knowledge that is essential to sustain the
>>viability of agriculture. As such, this
>>program is intended as a mechanism to synthesize the findings from more
>>basic research programs to
>>address directly the interactions among the components that comprise
>>agricultural systems.
>>
>>This program will support systems research that has the potential to aid in
>>the development and/or
>>evaluation of national, regional, community, and/or producer level practices
>>and policies that will
>>sustain: a safe and adequate supply of agricultural products and services;
>>environmental quality and the
>>natural resource base; human health; the economic viability and quality of
>>life of rural communities;
>>and address linkages between urban and rural areas.
>>
>>Further guidance regarding proposal content follows:
>>
>> The proposed research should describe the interrelationships of the
>>components of the system.
>> Proposals must clearly demonstrate integration of systems components
>>(e.g.,
>> field-farm-watershed, animal-ranch-community, producer-processor-
>>consumer) across
>> multidisciplinary lines of endeavor (e.g., ecology-economy-sociology,
>>animal condition-
>> management structure-environmental quality).
>> Proposals should address human management of agricultural systems and
>>the means to improve
>> those systems. Submissions are expected to integrate parameters
>>relevant to the research topic
>> (e.g., physical, biological, environmental, social, economic,
>>management). Proposals that
>> incorporate innovative methods for evaluating and comparing the impact
>>of systems are
>> encouraged.
>> The program expects the use of multidisciplinary approaches. In
>>successful proposals, all
>> objectives will be clearly stated and supported by well-planned methods
>>and qualified personnel. A
>> clear project management strategy must identify the contribution and
>>budgetary requirements of
>> each member of the collaborating team. The program expects clear
>>identification and
>> participation of stakeholders.
>> If models are to be used to achieve a research objective(s), clear
>>evidence of, or procedures for,
>> their validation and utility should be presented.
>> Practical applicability and opportunities for information and
>>technology exchange must be clearly
>> described in the proposal.
>> Proposals will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel. Hence, the
>>proposal should be written
>> clearly and terms specific to a particular discipline should be clearly
>>defined.
>>
>>Investigators submitting proposals on analysis of public policy alternatives
>>should consult the program
>>description for the Markets and Trade Program (61.0) to determine which
>>program is most appropriate.
>>
>>It is anticipated that only a small number of proposals will receive support
>>due to the limited program
>>funds. Identification of stakeholder support in funds or other resources is
>>encouraged.
>>
>>
>>
>>Go To:
>>
>> Previous Section
>> Please Read
>> Table of Contents
>> Project Types & Eligibility
>>Requirements
>> Research Opportunities in Part
>> 1
>> Deadlines
>> How to Obtain Application
>>Materials
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Barbara Meister
>>148 Cypress Park
>>Santa Cruz, CA 95060
>>ph: 408-421-9727
>>fax: 408-421-9728
>>e-mail: meisterb@ix.netcom.com
>>
>>
>

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