The Integrated Organic Program

Tom Bewick

National Program Leader

USDA/CSREES

What WE mean by “integrated”

• Multi-functional: Projects emphasize research and Extension and higher education.

• Multi-disciplinary

• Multi-state or multi-institutional

The IFAFS Model

• 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

Congressional Authorizations

• Organic Transitions Program (ORG) – From 1998 Agricultural Research, Education and Economics Reform Act

• Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) – From Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (aka Farm Bill)

How they differ

• ORG– Appropriated annually– Limited eligibility– All three functions

mentioned in law– Program goals

focused on production systems

– Recently competed for 4th time

• OREI– Mandatory at $3M for

5 years– Broad eligibility– Higher ed. Not

specifically mentioned– Program goals

broader and include economic and consumer issues

– 2004 was first year of program

The Integrated Organic Program

• CSREES has a history of collaborating with other agencies to offer grant programs larger than either could offer alone– Microbial genetics with NSF– Precision Ag. and geospatial technologies

with NASA

• Since both authorizations lie within CSREES, they were combined into a single RFA

Integrated Organic Program

• Provides flexibility in funding a single project from multiple sources

• Both programs are competed with a single panel simultaneously.– Cuts down on panel costs

• Applicants need not decide which program to apply to

IOP in 2004

• A total of $4.7 million available for awards.

• 105 proposals submitted– requested almost $52 million

• 86 proposals had at least some fundable objectives– Requested just over $42 million

• 11 proposals recommended for funding– 10% of all; 13% of fundable

IOP in 2004

Priority Requested Funded # (%)

Crops $37,488,560 $3,292,730 7/73 (10)

Animal $5,540,804 $823,321 2/12 (17)

Economics $5,470,817 $301,018 1/14 (7)

Standards $947,769 $197,768 1/3 (33)

Other $2,458,996 $0 0/3

IOP 2004

Crop Requested Funded # (%)

Agronomic $26,555,336 $2,417,561 5/49 (10)

Horticultural $14,568,145 $875,169 2/33 (6)

IOP 2004

Region Requested Funded # (%)

NC $15,548,862 $463,645 1/33 (3)

NE $11,796,543 $2,274,802 5/27 (18)

S $8,731,772 $305,015 1/20 (4)

W $15,829,769 $1,359,607 4/25 (16)

The IFAFS Model

• 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

IOP in 2005

• House & Senate mark-up of 2005 appropriation has ORG at $1.88 million

• 2005 RFA published beginning of Dec– Some minor differences from 2004 based on

input from panelists and NAREEAB

• Applications due beginning of May• Panel will meet in July• Plans for 2006 are for RFA publication in

Oct.