OARS funding Agriculture

Background: The National Native Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020 outlines a coordinated approach to establish a national network of native seed collectors, growers, and nurseries to supply adequate quantities of appropriate seed. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Montana/Dakotas has partnered in the past with non-governmental organizations to help in the development of locally adapted plant materials. Objectives: Develop locally adapted native plant materials including seed and seedling resources for public land restoration or lands adjacent to public lands. Tasks under this project include but are not limited to: 1. Providing seed and seedlings 2. Cleaning of small wild collected lots of seed Public Benefit: The public will benefit because the project provides locally adapted seed and seedlings for habitat restoration, which in turn creates more habitat for hunting, fishing, and recreation opportunities. These plant materials will be available to partners for use in restoration on public, private, and tribal lands.

Background: The National Native Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020 outlines a coordinated approach to establish a national network of native seed collectors, growers, and nurseries to supply adequate quantities of appropriate seed, and a network of restoration ecologists. The Montana State Office is seeking to partner with Colleges or Universities across Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota to help develop native plant materials that would include species important for sage-grouse habitat restoration, stabilization and rehabilitation projects, culturally significant species, increase pollinator habitat, and research needs for these species. The partnership is also seeking to build conservation science into new or existing curriculum, develop interest in restoration efforts, and foster better communication and understanding of culturally significant and tribally important plants. Objectives: To develop native plant programs by collecting and germinating native plant seed. This project will build unique relationships with recipients who are interested in natural conservation work and keeping their own culture connected to the public lands. Public Benefit: This project provides long-term benefits to the public by providing native plant and conservation projects on public lands. In addition, this project will provide education and awareness about the importance of native plants and their impact on environmental factors such as sage-grouse habitat.

Proposed Phase I projects should prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Projects dealing with agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR topic areas. USDA SBIR's flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA's vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air, and water. USDA SBIR Program has awarded over 2000 research and development projects since 1983, allowing hundreds of small businesses to explore their technological potential, and providing an incentive to profit from the commercialization of innovative ideas.

Proposed Phase I projects should prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Projects dealing with agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR topic areas. USDA SBIR's flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA's vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air, and water. USDA SBIR Program has awarded over 2000 research and development projects since 1983, allowing hundreds of small businesses to explore their technological potential, and providing an incentive to profit from the commercialization of innovative ideas.

The purpose of this modification is to implement Phase II of the three-phase agreement. The intention to do a money-added modification was stated in the continuation clause included in the original Task Agreement. The intent of the overall task remains the same: To complete STARFire analyses on all of the of the NPS units with burnable vegetation. The work on Phase I of this agreement has been successful in both streamlining the analysis process and producing outputs at the park group level to initiate integration with the current budgeting framework. The Fire Management Program Center (FMPC) would like to continue the work begun in Phase I by running additional park units (19 fire management park groups, emphasizing the 15 park groups in IMR and 4 park groups in MWR) into the STARFire analysis consistent with the original Statement of Work. The final list of parks will be determined in collaboration with CSU

The purpose of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program is to encourage research and outreach designed to increase knowledge concerning agricultural production systems that: (1) maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil; (2) conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat; (3) maintain and enhance the quality of surface and ground water; (4) protect the health and safety of persons involved in the food and farm system; (5) promote the well-being of animals; and (6) increase employment opportunities in agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5801 and 5811).

The purpose of the SARE program is to encourage research and outreach designed to increase knowledge concerning agricultural production systems that: (1) maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil; (2) conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat; (3) maintain and enhance the quality of surface and ground water; (4) protect the health and safety of persons involved in the food and farm system; (5) promote the well-being of animals; and (6) increase employment opportunities in agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5801 and 5811).

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Vermont is looking for eligible applicants to provide assistance with: the organization and function of the East Creek and McKenzie Brook Watersheds Planning Groups (two groups) with the end goal of assisting NRCS and the group with the identification, development and implementation of multiple strategies to increase the implementation of conservation practices on farms within the watershed. Applicants will be responsible for providing overall administration (hiring, supervision and payroll) of staff to provide assistance with the development and implementation of a Watershed Action Plan. Staff hired to provide the identified services will typically be located in the office of the applicant.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $7 million in competitive grant funds to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through collaborative, multi-state projects that address the following regional or national level specialty crop issues: food safety; plant pests and disease; research; crop-specific common issues; and marketing and promotion. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. States are encouraged to submit projects that bring together multi-state teams of partners to research and develop solutions to practical problems that cross state boundaries and address the needs of specialty crop growers. Applications are due October 24, 2017.

USAID/KEA anticipates awarding a five-year cooperative agreement (CA) whose purpose is to sustainably reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty in Kenya by focusing on (i) inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led growth; (ii) strengthened resilience among people and systems and (iii) a well-nourished population. USAID/KEA's programmatic priorities for achieving this purpose include: Priority area 1: Competitive, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural market systems Priority area 2: Diverse agricultural production and improved productivity Priority area 3: Policy environment for agricultural market systems development Priority area 4: Integration of youth and women into agriculture market systems Priority area 5: Collaborative Action and Learning for Market Systems Change

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) expects to fund a competitive cooperative agreement award of approximately $3 million in Fiscal Year 2017 to a qualified applicant to develop, design, promote, conduct, and evaluate a training initiative that will equip State agencies administering CACFP with the knowledge and skills necessary to then effectively train and provide technical assistance on key topics to CACFP operators (including CACFP institutions such as sponsoring organizations and/or independent centers as well as CACFP facilities including child care centers and day care homes). This award is contingent upon the availability of funds. FNS may fund this project, in whole or in part, without further competition, in this or subsequent fiscal years. The training tools, resources, or programs developed under this grant should support the activities of those who administer CACFP and/or improve service delivery that ultimately benefits program participants. Section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766) provides authority to assure the effective and proper administration of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Under this program, subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary of Agriculture may award competitive grants and cooperative agreements for the support of training programs.

BLM will partner with a recipient to implement goals and objectives of the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration in California and, in particular, implement Action Item 2.4.2: quantify ecological and economic costs/benefits of planting native and non-native plants on public lands using the InVEST data and software platform developed by the Natural Capital Project and its network. The recipient will work with BLM to develop appropriate studies, education, and outreach projects that meet the goals and objectives of Seed Strategy Action Item 2.4.2 using the approach outlined in the Natural Capital Project. The recipient must be a Natural Capital Project partner and familiar with the InVEST software. The InVEST software platform contains open source data and modeling tools that allow transparency, repeatability, and adaptability to novel local conditions. InVEST applications are designed to become part of the public record, and with training, BLM or others can continue to apply the tools for future assessment and implementation guidance.

In 2015 the Plant Conservation Alliance released the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration: 2015-2020, for which the BLM was a participant and signatory. Also in 2015, the White House released the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators. Implementation of these strategies by the BLM includes increasing the availability of genetically and ecologically appropriate native plant seed, and nursery stock for restoration. Within the Mojave Desert Ecoregion over 1 million acres have burned since 2005, severely impacting habitat for the Federally Threatened Mojave desert tortoise. Invasive species infestation have also greatly expanded, in both upland and riparian areas. Genetically and ecologically appropriate native plant materials are needed to combat invasive species and restore native plant habitats on BLM lands, in support of the National Seed Strategy and National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators, and in support of desert tortoise habitat restoration and recovery.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of $3,000,000 in competitive grant funds for the FY 2017 Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program, formerly known as the Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant program, as authorized by section 310B (e)(11) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 (e)(11)). We are requesting proposals from applicants who will provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. The Agency is encouraging applications that direct grants to projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent. This emphasis will support Rural Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need them. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers.

Projects are for educating youth and young adults and giving them direct technical experience with the management and control of persistent invasive non-native plants and native habitat restoration techniques. Projects will be within Tumacácori National Historic Park in southern Arizona.

The SBIR program, as established by law, is intended to meet the following goals: stimulate technological innovation in the private sector; strengthen the role of small business in meeting Federal research or research and development (R/R&D) needs; increase the commercial application of Federally-supported research results; foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned business concerns in the SBIR program; and improve the return on investment from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the Nation.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issues Program Announcement No. OSBDC-2018-03 to invite applications from public or private institution of higher education; a land-grant college or university; a college or school of business, engineering, commerce, or agriculture; a community or junior college; a currently operating Women's Business Center under § 29 of the Small Business Act; or a combination of two or more of these entities and must conduct a majority of its operations within, and be physically headquartered in, the State of Louisiana.

Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded in support of plant, animal, and fungi species conservation efforts without discrimination on the basis of region or selected species. Priority will be given to in situ species conservation work, although the fund will consider ex situ projects where the project is demonstrated to be critical to the survival of the species concerned.

One-year grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for environmental projects situated in Northern California, the Central Valley, and the Sierra Nevada, including the entire California-Oregon Klamath River watershed and the watersheds that arise in the Sierras and terminate in Nevada's terminal lakes. The foundation's definition of Northern California extends from the Oregon border in the north down to and ending at the San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino county lines in the south.

The program features restoration efforts and treatments across multiple jurisdictions and ownership to improve land health. BLM Colorado seeks cooperators to engage in a collaboratve restoration effort on public and private lands and includes the following activities: â¿¢ Land health improvements across a landscape regardless of ownership; â¿¢ Defragmentation of landscapes; â¿¢ Re-establishment of extant species; â¿¢ Re-establishment of natural ecosystem processes; and â¿¢ Consolidating & leveraging funds allows restoration to continue despite budget uncertainties The BLM, along with state and local partners, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other federal land management agencies, share a vision to improve the health of the land and enhance its recreation and natural resource values. The WRFO has a history of working alongside of local land managements, conservation districts, producers and ranchers, conservation organizations, research and educational institutions to further the goals of improved land health. Specific activities will include fostering cooperation and consultation between BLM and its partners for the purposes of monitoring, reclaiming and restoring wildlife habitat, impaired watersheds, and developing range improvements on public, private and state lands.