HomeAbout UsGrantsFormsNewsroomHelpContact Us
Search CSREES
Advanced Search
Browse by Subject
Agricultural & Food Biosecurity
Agricultural Systems
Animals & Animal Products
Biotechnology & Genomics
Economics & Commerce
Education
Families, Youth, & Communities
Food, Nutrition, & Health
International
Natural Resources & Environment
Pest Management
Plant & Plant Products
Technology & Engineering
You are here: Home / Newsroom / Newsletters / CSREES Updates / CSREES Update - August 6, 2008

CSREES Update - August 6, 2008

CSREES Update, from the Office of the Administrator, is a biweekly newsletter for research, education, and extension partners at land-grant universities and other cooperating institutions.

CSREES

  • CSREES Publishes Interim Rule
  • Federal Register Notice: Intent to Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection
  • CSREES Welcomes New Records Manager
  • New NPL Joins National 4-H Headquarters
  • CSREES News
  • CSREES Lists Open Requests for Grant Applications

USDA

  • DOE and USDA Announce More than $10 Million in Bioenergy Plant Feedstock Research
  • Secretary Schafer Awards $21.8 Million in Grants to States for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
  • Statement of Secretary Ed Schafer Discusses Conservation Reserve Program Decision
  • Schafer Announces $390 Million Available for Natural Disaster Recovery Assistance

Opportunities

  • Feed Cost Webinar Sponsored by DAIReXnet

Awards and Recognition

  • National 4-H Headquarters Recognizes Stevens for Outstanding Service

Mailbox

 

CSREES published an interim rule (7 CFR Part 3430) that establishes uniform administrative provisions for all competitive and noncompetitive grant programs, with the exception of the Small Business Innovation Research Program and formula grant programs. Although this interim regulation became effective on August 1, 2008, CSREES requests comments on or before September 30, 2008. Subparts A–E of the interim rule support federal initiatives to streamline and standardize all federal assistance processes. This interim regulation codifies CSREES grant policies procedures and business practices that it sought to standardize and streamline with other federal grant-making agencies in response to various laws, regulations, and presidential, departmental, and agency directives and initiatives. Published in the Federal Register on August 1, 7 CFR Part 3430 addresses policies and procedures that may conflict with federal government-wide or departmental assistance regulations due to statutory requirements, authorizing legislation, or when the federal regulations provide discretion to the agency. Subpart F addresses program-specific regulations for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. Visit the Federal Register Web site for more information.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, the notice announces the intent of CSREES to request approval for revision of the currently approved information collection for the CSREES application review process. Written comments on this notice must be received by October 8, 2008, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. You may submit comments, by any of the following methods: Mail: Information Collection Officer, CSREES, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2216; Hand Delivery/Courier: 800 9th Street, SW., Waterfront Centre, Room 4217, Washington, DC 20024; Fax: 202-720-0857; or e-mail: jhitchcock@csrees.usda.gov. Visit the Federal Register Web site for more information.

The Information Systems and Technology Management unit welcomes Rob Martin to the staff as the new records manager. He is from the National Archives and Records Administration. He served as a records manager with the Air Force and has held several positions in private industry. In these roles, Martin has provided critical guidance, oversight, and training to assist in the proper execution of records programs. He received his B.S. in management from National University. You can reach Martin at rmartin@csrees.usda.gov or 202-401-5924; his office is located in Room 4206, Waterfront Centre.

The Families, 4-H, and Nutrition unit welcomes Ryan Schmiesing to the National 4-H Headquarters staff as the 4-H Mission Mandates national program leader (NPL). Schmiesing was an assistant professor and co-interim assistant director, 4-H Youth Development at The Ohio State University. He has served as associate state 4-H leader and extension specialist. He has provided key leadership to the 4-H program, including leading efforts to integrate new technologies into the design of the new Ohio 4-H Center. Schmiesing served as chair, National Recognition on the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) Board and had other national experience as a member of the board of directors of Extension Journal, Inc., Art of Leadership, and the National 4-H Youth Development Professional Development Task Force. He received team awards from NAE4-HA for Educational Technology and Excellence in teen programming, as well as being a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award and Achievement in Service Award.  He received his doctorate from The Ohio State University in extension education, and his master’s degree in agriculture education. You can reach Schmiesing at rschmiesing@csrees.usda.gov or 202-720-5075; his office is located in Room 4423, Waterfront Centre.

    Streptococcus mutans, one of the primary microbial agents involved with tooth decay and cavity formation, produces a biofilm that covers the teeth. In creating the biofilm, it creates an acidic environment that breaks down the mineral structure of the tooth, producing points of weakness where the onset of disease can occur.

    Hyun Koo and colleagues at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the New York State Agricultural Experimental Station at Cornell University focused their analyses on red wine grapes and wine-derived byproducts due to their rich and diverse content of polyphenols and availability of the products for research. Previous studies show that polyphenolic compounds in the extracts of grape, apple, cranberry, and cocoa act as a natural biological agent against S. mutans' ability to cause the disease. Visit the CSREES Newsroom to read Scientists Discover a New Way to Fight Tooth Decay.

 

Funding Opportunity

Closing Date

Contact

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) –- various topic areas. See individual grant program See individual grant program
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program August 8, 2008 Carmela Bailey
Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) August 14, 2008 Thomas Bewick

CSREES advertises all of its funding opportunities through "Find Grant Opportunities" on the Grants.gov Web site. This site is searchable and contains summary information on all federal funding opportunities with links to the full announcements. Users can search announcements by topic, funding agency, and date, as well as subscribe to an e-mail notification service based on these parameters.

 

WASHINGTON, DC, July 31, 2008 − Agriculture Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Gale Buchanan and Energy Department (DOE) Under Secretary for Science Raymond Orbach announced plans to award 10 grants totaling more than $10 million to accelerate fundamental research in the development of cellulosic biofuels.

"USDA is committed to fostering a sustainable domestic biofuels industry at home in rural America," Buchanan said. "These grants will broaden the sources of energy from many crops as well as improve the efficiency and options among renewable fuels."

"Cellulosic biofuels offer one of the best near- to mid-term alternatives we have, on the energy production side, to reduce reliance and imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions, while continuing to meet the nation's transportation energy needs," Orbach said. "Developing cost-effective means of producing cellulosic biofuels on a national scale poses major scientific challenges ¾ these grants will help in developing the type of transformational breakthroughs needed in basic science to make this happen." Visit the USDA Newsroom to view DOE and USDA Announce More than $10 Million in Bioenergy Plant Feedstock Research.

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced $21 million in final Fiscal Year 2008 grant awards to 49 state agencies and tribal organizations for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. These senior's markets provide low-income seniors with coupons exchanged for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs.

These grants will serve more than 900,000 low-income senior citizens nationwide this season. This year, coupons for fresh produce will be accepted by over 14,000 farmers at more than 5,100 markets, roadside stands and/or community-supported agriculture programs. Visit the USDA Newsroom to read Secretary Schafer Awards $21.8 Million in Grants to States for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

Washington, D.C. July 29, 2008

 “We have just completed a very thorough review of whether we should allow the early release of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) without penalty to land owners.

After carefully considering recent crop reports and weather conditions, the price trends we are seeing in grain markets and the likelihood of increasing land for crop production, we have decided not to allow the penalty-free release of CRP land at this time.” Visit the USDA Newsroom to read the Statement of Secretary Ed Schafer Discusses Conservation Reserve Program Decision.

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2008—Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced $390 million is available through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program for landowners and communities to cope with the aftermath of recent floods, fires, drought, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. The $390 million is included in a $162 billion supplemental spending bill that helps the Midwest states with areas ravaged by recent flooding. However, it also provides funding to cover about $140 million in EWP projects from earlier natural disasters, such as tornadoes and wildfires.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the EWP program, which provides technical and financial assistance to address public safety and restoration efforts on private, public and tribal lands. Through sponsorships, NRCS can pay landowners and communities up to 75 percent of the cost of removing debris from stream channels, road culverts and bridges; protecting eroded streambanks; correcting damaged drainways; and reseeding damaged areas. NRCS also can purchase floodplain easements on land that qualifies for EWP program assistance. Visit the USDA Newsroom to read the full release Schafer Announces $390 Million Available for Natural Disaster Recovery Assistance.

 

DAIReXNET is hosting a webinar for extension educators on August 11, 2008, at 2 p.m. (EDT) and one for producers on August 18, 2008, at 8 p.m. (EDT). The topic’s that will be discussed in the webinar are:

  • Strategies to Lock in Milk and Feed Prices - Dave Byers
  • Feeding Strategies with $7, $8, or $9 Corn - Mike Hutjens
  • Alternative Feedstuffs for Corn and Soybean Meal - Randy Shaver

Each topic will be presented by the speaker for 10 minutes with Q&A at the end of the presentations. Information on how to connect to the Webinar will be available on the eXtension Web site. A sound card in your computer will be necessary to hear the webinar. Contact Donna M. Amaral-Phillips, DAIReXNET project management team leader, at damaral@uky.edu or 859-257-7542 for more information.

 

National 4-H Headquarters recognized Bill Stevens, retired conservation manager, Federal Cartridge Corporation, for his lifelong dedication to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program during the 2008 National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational.

During his 42-year career, Stevens dedicated countless hours to developing the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. As a member of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, he traveled across the nation by road to promote the concept of 4-H Shooting Sports to conservation organizations and shooting sports companies. His efforts transformed the program into a major youth development initiative in more than 46 states, where more than 300,000 youth built their appreciation of the great outdoors.

Stevens also worked on the National 4-H Shooting Sports Foundation, serving as a bridge between the shooting industry and the Cooperative Extension System of Land-Grant Universities to raise money in support of 4-H Youth Development. Stevens played a crucial role in teaching America’s youth the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery, and the importance of conservation ethics. He retired from Federal Cartridge Corporation in 2007, and currently lives in Fridley, MN. He continues to be an active 4-H volunteer.

For a plain text copy of this newsletter, please contact Judy Rude. CSREES UPDATE is published biweekly. The next regular issue is planned for August 20, 2008. Submit news items to newsletter@csrees.usda.gov by August 13, 2008.

Editor: Judy Rude, writer-editor, CSREES Communications Staff. If you have questions about Update, please contact her at jrude@csrees.usda.gov.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please send an e-mail message to jrude@csrees.usda.gov. In the body of the message, type: subscribe csrees-update OR unsubscribe csrees-update.

Back issues of CSREES UPDATE are available on the CSREES Web site.

Colien Hefferan, Administrator

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Last Updated: 08/05/2008