The Thelma Hansen Fund is a University of California endowment to support and maintain University research and extension activities for the sustainability and benefit of agriculture and natural resources in Ventura County.
Donor Name: Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center
State: California
County: Ventura County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/23/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Thelma Hansen Grant Program is funded and managed through the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HAREC).
Proposals may be submitted for research, education and extension/outreach activities that address the agricultural and natural resource priorities of Ventura County.
Goals
- Ensure the economic viability of plant and animal agriculture to sustain agriculture’s contribution to a healthy Ventura County
- Protect natural resources by increasing water and nutrient use efficiency, reducing pesticide and fossil fuel inputs and promoting soil, watershed and ecosystem health
- Increase public understanding and support of agriculture, including the relationship of agriculture to the economy, healthy families, and the natural resource base.
Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Strategic Initiative Themes:
- Water Quality, Quantity and Security
- Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases
- Healthy Families and Communities
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Sustainable Natural Ecosystems.
Ventura County Priority Areas
- Water quality and/or quantity: e.g., improving water use efficiency, fertilizer use efficiency and minimizing contamination of groundwater while sustaining profitable crop yields, protection and rehabilitation of watersheds.
- Emerging and re-emerging pests, diseases and weeds: e.g., biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, detection and monitoring, modeling and prediction, loss/damage assessment, biological, cultural, and chemical control, IPM, pesticide resistance.
- Sustainable/regenerative agriculture methods: e.g., methods that protect natural resources, improve soil and plant health and resiliency to climate change, improve animal health and welfare, and protect pollinators and beneficial organisms.
- Innovation and new technology: e.g., new crops or production techniques, precision agriculture, new technologies to improve quality and value of food products, food safety, production efficiency and waste reduction.
- Agricultural careers and literacy: e.g., agricultural education and training for teens and young adults, internship programs, experiential learning and hands-on programs for kids, community education activities.
- Economic viability: e.g., strategies that enhance competitiveness of Ventura County’s agricultural producers and products, maintain and enhance market share and provide added value.
- Natural resources: e.g., post-fire landscape recovery, working landscapes/ecosystem services, climate change mitigation, carbon sequestration, sustainable urban forests.
Types of Grant
- Applied Research Grants – Applicants may apply for grants for 1 or 2 years in duration with total project funding up to $25,000 per project. Applied research grants must contain an outreach component.
- Education and Outreach Grants – Applicants may apply for grants for up to 1 year in duration for total project funding up to $10,000 to support educational events, materials and outreach activities.
Funding Information
The anticipated amount available for the 2024 THF Grant Program is $150,000. No less than 60% will be made available to fund research projects. Funds will be awarded for performance periods of up to two years. Cost Sharing or Matching is encouraged but not required.
Eligibility Criteria
- In general, public or private, non-profit or for-profit organizations are eligible to receive THF grants.
- Individuals who have the appropriate expertise to manage the scientific, educational and administrative aspects of the project are eligible to be Principal Investigators (PI or Co-PI) for THF grants. For research grants, non-researchers are expected to collaborate with researchers at universities or other research institutions. The eligibility of PIs to complete the project will be evaluated during the proposal review.
- The Principal Investigator and Co-PIs must be in good standing on all previously funded THF projects.
- The HAREC Director is not eligible to participate in THF-funded projects.
For more information, visit HAREC.
