USDA/NIFA: Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Program - fundsforNGOs

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking applications for its Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Program.

Donor Name: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

State: All States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 05/02/2024

Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000

Grant Duration: 3 Years

Details:

Alfalfa is essential to sustainable agricultural production systems and is an economic engine for rural communities. Value for soil conservation, nitrogen fixation, energy savings, crop rotation benefits, and wildlife habitat is high. However, to provide these societal benefits, the production of alfalfa must be profitable to farmers through market outlets so they will be willing to maintain or expand the use and acreage of alfalfa.

The AFRP is aligned with the following:

USDA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 goals:

Strategic Goal 2: Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous
Strategic Goal 3: Foster an Equitable and Competitive Marketplace for All Agricultural Producers
Strategic Goal 4: Provide All Americans Safe, Nutritious Food
Strategic Goal 5: Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal Communities

USDA Science and Research Strategy, 2023–2026 priorities:

Priority 1: Accelerating Innovative Technologies & Practices
Priority 2: Driving Climate-Smart Solutions
Priority 4: Cultivating Resilient Ecosystem

The AFRP is an integrated research and extension program that supports technology transfer to improve overall agricultural productivity, profitability, and conservation of natural resources through conventional and organic alfalfa seed and forage production systems. AFRP encourages applicants to establish interdisciplinary and multi-location regional research and extension networks to address national priorities or regional science needs of the U.S. alfalfa industry. By bringing together expertise across multiple university, federal agency, and industry organizations and states, AFRP projects seek to enhance the effectiveness of limited state, federal, and industry resources and so produce greater long-lasting impacts.

NIFA is soliciting applications for FY 2024 under the following areas:

Increasing alfalfa forage and seed yields and forage quality through improved management practices, plant breeding, and other strategies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses and costs of production.
mproving alfalfa forage and seed harvest and storage systems, including automation that reduces labor costs, to optimize economic returns to alfalfa producers as well as end-users including milk producers.
Developing methods to estimate alfalfa forage yield and quality to support marketing as a livestock feed and instruments to reduce producer risks.
Exploring new uses for alfalfa such as in fish feeds, nutritive supplements, alternative protein sources for human consumption, high-value chemical manufacturing, or other novel uses.
Developing improved insect, disease and weed management strategies, including spotted aphid in alfalfa seed production and potential herbicide carry-over issues.
Documenting the contribution of alfalfa production systems to climate-smart agriculture, including the sequestration of carbon.

Funding Information

The anticipated amount available for AFRP in FY2024 is approximately $3,703,893. The total project budget requested cannot exceed a maximum of $300,000 per year for a project period of up to three years, including indirect costs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications for AFRP may only be submitted by