National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture

Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems

Program Description

This program provides research grants on emerging agricultural issues related to food production, environmental quality and natural resources management, rural development and farm income. While it funds many topics not germane to sustainable agriculture farmers and ranchers, it has supported millions of dollars in grants supporting sustainable agriculture production, market development, and approaches that help small- to medium-sized farmers and ranchers remain competitive.

Grants awarded must address priority mission areas related to: (a) Agricultural genome, (b) Food safety, food technology and human nutrition, (c) New and alternative uses and production of agricultural commodities and products, (d) Agricultural biotechnology, (e) Natural resource management, including precision agriculture, and (f) Farm efficiency and profitability, including the viability and competitiveness of small- and medium-sized dairy, livestock, crop, and other commodity operations. In the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, an additional critical emerging issue was identified: rural economic and business and community development policy.

Program Administration

IFAFS is administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES)

Program Status

IFAFS was created by Section 401 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA).

Using the Program

Typically the program's request for proposals (RFP) is published in the Federal Register in January, proposals are due in March, and awards are made in August. To receive e-mail notification of RFP publication and other IFAFS announcements, send an e-mail message to majordomo@reeusda.gov. Leave the subject blank. In the message space write: "subscribe ifafs-pubs".

Priority is given to projects that are multi-state, multi-institutional, or multidisciplinary and projects that integrate agricultural research, extension and education. IFAFS is distinct from other CSREES programs because of its priority on integrating research, extension, and education; its consideration of the concerns of small and mid-sized operations; its emphasis on agricultural production issues; and its goal to support relatively large projects that provide more intensive support to the research, extension, and education system.

Grants may be funded at between $1 and 5 million over 4 years. If a grant provides for applied research that is commodity-specific and not of national scope, the grantee must provide funds or in-kind support to match the amount of federal grant funds provided.

Uses and Restrictions

Funds may not be used to renovate or refurbish research spaces; purchase or install fixed equipment in such spaces; or plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct buildings or facilities.

Who to Contact

Dr. Deborah Sheely, Director, (202-401-1924),

Resources on the Internet

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/offices/compprogs_ifafs.html

Adapted from "Building Better Rural Places"