Dr. Suresh Sureshwaran National Program Leader Competitive Programs

1. Dr. Suresh SureshwaranNational Program LeaderCompetitive Programs University of Nebraska April 2009

2. Purpose Introduction to Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities Programs in AFRI Primary programs Joint program with NSF New Programs at CSREES with Social Science Opportunities Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program FY 2010 and Beyond Uncertainty Enhancing Visibility and Funding

3. NRI in FY 2008 � AFRI in FY 2009 NRI Appropriation in FY 2008 = $191 million 3 Core Social Science Program Agribusiness Markets and Trade Rural Development Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium-Sized farms Increasing Number of opportunities in other NRI programs Farm Bill � AFRI in FY 2009 with approx. $200 million New competitive grants programs

4. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Established to make competitive grants for: Fundamental research Applied research Extension Education Integrated research, education and/or extension

5. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative The initiative will address: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products Animal Health and Production and Animal Products Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment Agriculture Systems and Technology Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities

6. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Authorized for appropriation of $700 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 No less than 30% will be made available for integrated research. Of funds allocated for research: No less than 40% made available for applied research. No less than 60% made available for fundamental research. No less than 30% for multi-disciplinary teams No more than 2% for equipment grants

7. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Eligible Institutions State agricultural experiment stations Colleges and universities University research foundations Other research institutions and organizations Federal agencies National laboratories Private organizations or corporations Individuals Any group consisting of two or more of the preceding entities

8. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Administration Award grants based on merit, quality, and relevance; selected through peer review; not to exceed 10 years in duration Solicit and consider input from persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or education Seek the widest participation of qualified individuals in the Federal Government, colleges and universities, State agricultural experiment stations, and the private sector In seeking proposals for grants In performing peer review evaluations

9. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Administration Grants to improve research, development, technology transfer and education capacity. Opportunities to fund education alone or extension alone. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/pdfs/transition_from_nri.pdf

10. Existing Programs Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium-sized Farms Rural Development Agribusiness Markets and Trade New Program Disaster Resilience in Rural Communities

11. Long Term Goals Enhance sustainability � through on-farm production and conservation practices. Increase the farmer�s share of the food dollar � through sustainable micro-level business practices. Enhance Farmland Preservation � through projects on land use, entry and exit of farms.

12. FY 08 Program Statistics Funding $5.6 million # of Proposals 85 Awards 13 (+4 bridge) Success rate 15% NRI 66.0 Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium Sized Farms

13. Encourages projects that enhance graduate student and project staff interactions with teachers in K-12 schools to: Share their research findings; Improve communication and team building skills; Enhance curriculum for and enrich learning and interest in agricultural science education among K-12 students (including social sciences); and Strengthen partnerships between institutions of higher education and local school districts.

14. Long Term Goals Enhance the economic vitality of rural communities and in turn, reduce rural poverty. Protect and enhance economic growth and the natural resource base of rural areas. Build a diversified workforce to meet the needs of the present and the future.

15. FY 08 Program Statistics Funding $5.1 million # of Proposals 49 Awards 11 Success rate 22.4%

16. Integrated projects that identify and recruit undergraduate students for pipelining into graduate programs in rural development or related disciplines are particularly encouraged.

17. Long Term Goals Increase efficiency and equity in agricultural production and marketing systems. Expand and maintain international export opportunities by promoting competition. Facilitate new product development and insertion in the value chain.

18. FY 09 Program Statistics Funding: $4.6 million Proposals #: (61 in 2007) Awards: (18 in 2007) Success rate: (30% in 2007)

19. Disaster Resilient in Rural Communities Newly created program with NSF with goals to: Advance scientific knowledge to reduce the vulnerabilities of rural communities and to enhance sustainable hazard mitigation practices at the local level. Advance vulnerability science knowledge to enhance emergency preparedness,�providing a foundation for improved�management during disasters. Advance knowledge to reduce the impacts of disasters on rural communities.

20. Other AFRI Programs of Interest to Social Scientists Managed Ecosystem Water Quality Air Quality Enhancing Ecosystem Services Biology of Weedy and Invasive Species Sustainable Agroecosystem Science Human Nutrition and Obesity Biobased Products and Bioenergy Production http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/afri/afri.html

21. New Programs Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Tom Bewick Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program S. Sureshwaran and Janie Hipp Biomass Research and Development Initiative Carmela Bailey There are several new programs with opportunities for social scientists. Focus of ESCOP SSSC should not be limited to AFRI but include new programs: read RFA and provide feedback for FY 2010 and encourage social scientists to submit applications.There are several new programs with opportunities for social scientists. Focus of ESCOP SSSC should not be limited to AFRI but include new programs: read RFA and provide feedback for FY 2010 and encourage social scientists to submit applications.

22. Specialty Crop Research Initiative The SCRI has five (5) legislatively mandated focus areas Efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing). Each focus area will receive at least 10% of the funding. In FY 2009, approximately $47.3 million Letter of Intent was in March, 2009. There are several new programs with opportunities for social scientists. Focus of ESCOP SSSC should not be limited to AFRI but include new programs: read RFA and provide feedback for FY 2010 and encourage social scientists to submit applications.There are several new programs with opportunities for social scientists. Focus of ESCOP SSSC should not be limited to AFRI but include new programs: read RFA and provide feedback for FY 2010 and encourage social scientists to submit applications.

23. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Purpose Competitive grants to provide the following programs and services for beginning farmers and ranchers: Training Education Outreach Technical Assistance Definition of a Beginning Farmer and/or Rancher Individuals who have not operated a farm or ranch or have operated less than 10 years

24. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Three Types of Grants Standard Projects - to develop and disseminate educational and training materials on about 19 topics $250,000 / year for 3 years. Educational Enhancement Teams � for evaluation, coordination and enhancement of Standard Projects $250,000 / year for 3 years Curriculum and Training Clearing House � develop a scoping projects of all BFR activities, develop and online clearing house and help enhance outcome based reporting $300,000 / year for 5 years

25. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Standard Projects could relate to any of the following: Mentoring, apprenticeships and internships Resources and referrals Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers Innovative farm and ranch transfer strategies Entrepreneurship and business training Model land leasing contracts

26. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Standard Projects could relate to any of the following: Financial management training Whole farm planning Conservation assistance Risk management education Diversification and marketing strategies Curriculum development

27. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Standard projects could relate to any of the following: Understanding the impact of concentration and globalization Basic livestock and crop farming practices, including forestry Acquisition and management of agricultural credit Environmental compliance Information processing Other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers

28. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Educational Enhancement Projects should relate to ALL of the following: Assess, Develop, and Deliver Special Projects for Education, Training and Mentoring of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Assist the Standard Beginning Farmer and Rancher Grantees to Enhance Impacts of the BFRDP Build Capacity of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers to be Self Sustaining.

29. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Applicants shall be a collaborative State, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of public or private entities, which may include: State cooperative extension service Federal, State, or tribal agency Community-based and Nongovernmental organization College or university, including institutions awarding Associate�s degree (or foundation maintained by college or university) Any other appropriate partner as determined by the Secretary

30. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Potential Funding and Matching Requirements Mandatory funding of $18M in FY 09; $19M in FY10 � FY12 Additional $30M authorized for appropriation for each of the FY 2008-2012 Matching: in cash or in-kind contributions in an amount equal to 25% of funds provided by the grant 25% of BFRDP grant funds are designated to limited resource farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, and farm workers

31. FY 2010 and Beyond Enhancing Visibility and Increasing /Improving Applications Acknowledging publications & presentations At Professional Meetings Other suggestions and recommendations? Greater collaboration within AFRI and with other programs and agencies Within the agency: AFRI - Nutrition and Obesity Different topics with NSF? Will funding more conference grants help generate more visibility?Will funding more conference grants help generate more visibility?

32. Family and Small Farms More information about the BFRDP program and resources for writing grant applications Webinars on topics important to family farms Grant Opportunities for family and small farms http://www.csrees.usda.gov/familysmallfarms.cfm

33. Contact Information Dr. Siva Sureshwaran Ms. Katrena R. Hanks National Program Leader Program Specialist 202/720.7536 202/401.5286 ssureshwaran@csrees.usda.gov khanks@csrees.usda.gov Dr. Diana Jerkins Dr. Henry Bahn National Program Leader National Program Leader djerkins@csrees.usda.gov hbahn@csrees.usda.gov