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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Agriculture & Natural Resources Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program |
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
2001 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS
The UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) is soliciting proposals for targeted research and education proposals on
- Optimizing organic production
- Optimizing biologically integrated farming systems
- Sustainable community food systems
PROPOSALS DUE: April 3, 2001
WHO MAY APPLY
Eligible applicants include researchers affiliated with California non-profit, tax-exempt organizations and California public and private institutions of higher education. "California non-profit, tax-exempt organization" is defined as any organization which is operating in California and legally exempt from taxes imposed by the California Franchise Tax Board’s revenue and taxation codes. Former SAREP grant recipients are eligible for funding unless the required report from their previous grant is delinquent. SAREP staff and members of SAREP’s Program Advisory and Technical Advisory Committees are not eligible to participate as an investigator or cooperator on any project. Proposals will be rejected if they include investigators or cooperators who are on SAREP’s staff or Program Advisory Committee (PAC) or Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Current Advisory Committee members are: PAC - Dante Benedetti, Stacie Clary, Tess Dunham, William Lacy, David Lighthall, Mark Lipson, Randii MacNear, Craig McNamara, Art Naldoza, Scott Paulsen, Karen Ross, Frank Tamborello, and Diego Vasquez; TAC - Edith Allen, Ted Bradshaw, Holly Brown-Williams, Kent Daane, Maria de le Fuente, Melanie DuPuis, Lucrecia Farfan-Ramirez, William Horwath, Rachel Mabie, Carlos Murillo, Jim Oltjen, Phil Osterli, John Phillips, Mike Stanghellini, and Cheryl Wilen.
FUNDING AVAILABILITY and PRIORITIES
Total funding available is expected to be approximately $125,000. We are interested in funding a variety of small projects, with typical awards of $5,000-20,000, but larger budgets will be considered if well justified.
Some projects may be conditionally approved for a second year of funding, contingent upon availability of funds and receipt of a satisfactory progress report. In view of limited funds available, requests for two-year funding must be well justified. Two-year project proposals should include a detailed plan, timeline, and budget for each year. Funding of continuing SAREP projects will be dependent on provision of matching funds or in-kind contributions.
Due to the limited funds available, project proposals will be limited to the following targeted topic areas, described in detail below:
- Optimizing Organic and Biologically Integrated Farming Systems
- Promoting the Development of Sustainable Community Food Systems
Topic Area I - Optimizing Organic and Biologically Integrated Farming Systems
One of SAREP’s goals is to help California farmers and ranchers develop and implement more sustainable production systems. Through competitive grants, SAREP has supported the development of biologically integrated and organic farming systems. Biologically integrated farming systems address multiple environmental impacts by managing the farm as a biological system. Such comprehensive management considers the inherent links among the components of a farming system (tillage practices; crop rotation; nutrient, water, and pest management) and the larger landscape. SAREP supports the development of biologically integrated farming systems in a number of commodities (rice, walnuts, citrus, apples, strawberries, prunes, dairies, winegrapes, and cotton) in California through its Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) competitive grants program.
Organic farming systems are growing in importance. As of 1999, county agricultural records showed that there were over 2,600 certified organic growers and processors throughout the state. The number of organic farms has doubled in only eight years. Organic farmers have assisted conventional agriculture in reducing reliance on agricultural chemicals; organic farming systems serve as field laboratories for refining alternatives to chemically based pest control and soil fertility. Organic farms also provide benchmarks against which other management options are measured.
Despite growth in acreage, economic success, and widening adoption, many aspects of organic/biologically integrated farming systems have not yet benefited from systematic research and development. There is still new knowledge about these systems that has not been disseminated or integrated on working farms. With this Request for Proposals, SAREP seeks to fund research and education projects that optimize such production systems.
Biologically Integrated Farming Systems
Projects submitted in this category must be explicitly linked to an existing biologically integrated farming systems project in California. Examples of such projects include those funded through SAREP's BIFS competitive grants program or through other organizations. A list of these projects is available on our Web site at www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/grants/rfp/2001/BIFSlist.htm If you would like to link to a biologically integrated farming systems project that is not on this list, please contact us to confirm that it is applicable. (baransom@ucdavis.edu or 530/754-8546)
Organic Farming Systems
Projects submitted in this category must directly relate to or be carried out explicitly in the context of a certified organic production system in California. Investigators may wish to consult the results of a recent national survey of organic farmers for an indication of priority research areas within organic farming systems (see www.ofrf.org/survey/1997.html).
Examples of potential projects on Biologically Integrated and Organic Farming Systems include:
- Biological and cultural control of key pests
- Nitrogen dynamics as influenced by cover cropping or crop rotation
- Practical aspects of soil biology, including roles of decomposer organisms
- Provision of habitat for desirable wildlife species, including beneficial arthropods
Please note that other themes are possible.
Topic Area II - Promoting the Development of Sustainable Community Food Systems
SAREP’s definition of sustainable agriculture not only includes the technical aspects of agricultural production, but also social and economic issues such as marketing, public health, concerns about transportation in the food system, and the quality of life in California’s communities. Therefore, one of SAREP’s goals is to make the links between sustainable agricultural production and the many communities and people that benefit from it. As the state continues its rapid urbanization, fewer and fewer people are connected to agriculture or understand its significance. Through its competitive grants, SAREP helps to create and strengthen links between urban consumers and the agricultural community by supporting projects that educate the public, while simultaneously providing greater food security for communities and economic stability for growers. Projects are also needed that demonstrate how these new models support economic development or food/ag policy development in communities.
This Request for Proposals seeks to fund research, education, or community outreach projects that promote the development of sustainable community food systems. Examples of potential projects in this topic area include:
Marketing, Consumer Education and Community Food
Security
Projects are encouraged that develop and evaluate:
- Models that facilitate direct marketing and/or value-added returns to growers
- The feasibility of regional ag marketing programs, eco-labeling programs, or local processing efforts
- Models to educate consumers about their role in sustainable food systems
- Projects that link local growers with institutions such as "farm-to-school" programs
- Models that link low-income residents in rural and/or inner-city communities with local agriculture
Community Economic and Policy Development
Projects are encouraged that:
- Analyze how agricultural practices and/or structures contribute to the sustainability of California communities
- Assess how entrepreneurial community gardens or other urban agriculture projects contribute to community economic and policy development, or other community goals
- Develop a new food policy council as a model for planning community food and agricultural systems and evaluate its effectiveness or evaluate the effectiveness of an existing food policy council
CRITERIA/ REQUIREMENTS
All proposals will be judged according to the following criteria-
A. Relevance to Mission
- Describe how your project helps achieve SAREP’s mission and at least one program goal.
- Describe how information from your project will be widely applicable or adaptable within the state.
B. Relevance to Target Audience (Justification)
- Define the target audience/community for the project.
- Describe how the target audience/community will be involved in the development of the project.
- Describe the importance of the proposed research to this audience, relative to their capacities and needs.
- Describe how the results/outcomes of the project will contribute to the sustainability of the targeted food and/or farming system.
- Cite prior research and/or results of other related projects or activities that provide a foundation for your project.
- For organic/biological farming systems projects, describe how the project will improve the performance of one or more biologically integrated or organic farming systems
C. Goals and Objectives
- Based on the needs of your target audience described in the justification section, state realistic goals for the project.
- Under each goal, state the measurable, and outcome-oriented objectives.
D. Methods/Activities/Timetable
- Provide a detailed plan that states how the project goals and objectives will be achieved.
- Include a detailed timetable linked to the various activities and phases of the project.
- For research projects, provide a description of your methodology, including the proposed research design, survey method, and plan for statistical analysis.
- For education and community outreach projects, justify the education/outreach methods using academic references, if possible.
E. Evaluation
- Describe how you plan to evaluate and measure progress toward meeting stated objectives.
F. Education/Outreach
- Describe how information and services from this project will be extended to the target audience/community.
G. Capabilities of Investigators and Cooperators
- Describe the specific roles and capabilities of each project participant including past experience with similar projects/activities.
- Provide an abbreviated CV/resumé (one-page limit) for each investigator.
- Provide a letter of support from each cooperating individual, organization, agency, or business. Letters should indicate the amount of time, matching funds, and in-kind services that the cooperator expects to contribute to the project.
H. Budget and Other Grant Support
- Provide a complete budget in the indicated format; show how line items are calculated. Funds requested must be realistic given the objectives of the project.
- For projects with a larger budget, it is particularly desirable (though not required) to show leveraging of other resources by providing matching funds or in-kind contributions.
- Prepare a budget table for each year (up to two years) in the following format. Show amounts and sources of matching funds from the host institution and/or other sources. Matching funds are not required, but projects which show substantial matching funds (including in-kind contributions) are desirable. Funds will be awarded July 1, 2001 and must be used by June 30, 2003.
| Requested Funds | Matching Funds (4) | Source of Matching Funds | |
| Personnel: Name and/or payroll title and % time |
|||
| Employee Benefits | |||
| Supplies and Expenses (1) | |||
| Permanent Equipment (2) | |||
| Travel (3) | |||
| TOTALS |
(1) List by major category, with costs, and justification for categories over $500. Reimbursement of growers for potential crop loss is not allowed.
(2) List specific items, their cost, and justification for each item. Equipment requests are scrutinized carefully, and are generally not approved unless the equipment is crucial to the project and access is not available by means other than purchase.
(3) Indicate destination(s), estimate number of trips and cost of each.
(4) Include in-kind contributions.
- Use the following format to identify support for all current and pending projects of the principal investigator(s), not just those pertaining to this proposal. Where listed grant support overlaps or complements the proposal, the tie between existing and/or pending support and the proposal must be explained. How will the total support package tie together? All current research to which principal investigator(s) have committed a portion of their time must be listed, whether or not salary is included in the budgets of the various projects. Provide analogous information for all proposed research which is being considered by, or which will be submitted in the near future, to other possible sponsors.
| Name of Investigator | Title of Project | Supporting Agency | Total $ Amount | Effective & Expiration Dates | % of PI Time Committed |
| Current: Pending: |
FORMAT REQUIREMENTS
Proposal must be typewritten using font size of 10 pt. or larger. Please observe the word and page limits stated below. Refer to CRITERIA/REQUIREMENTS section for description of what should be in each part of section II and III.
Section I. Introduction
A. Cover Page - Use the cover page provided below, or an exact duplicate of it, for the requested information. The proposal must be approved and cosigned by the principal investigator and an official representative of the investigator’s organization.
B. Summary - (500 words or less)
The summary and goals/objectives sections together should
stand alone as a definitive description of your project in lay
language. The summary should include a statement of the critical
problem(s) to be addressed, a summary of the research or
education approach, and a statement of the potential
benefits/impacts expected in addressing the goals of sustainable
agriculture. (If your project is funded, the summary and
objectives sections will be the basis of your project’s
entry in SAREP’s Projects Database on the Web.)
C. Budget and Other Grant Support – (see above: "H")
Section II. Body of Proposal - must not exceed seven single-spaced typewritten pages (10 pt. font or larger)
A. Relevance to SAREP’s Mission
B. Relevance to Target Audience (Justification)
C. Goals and Objectives
D. Methods/Activities/Timetable
E. Evaluation
F. Education/Outreach
G. Capabilities of Investigators and Cooperators
Section III. Required Appendices
- Literature Cited
- Resumés/CVs
- Letters of support
SUBMITTAL AND REVIEW SCHEDULE
Proposal packets must be received by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2001. Proposals received after the deadline will not be reviewed. Proposals will not be accepted via FAX. Proposal packets must include:
- Signed original and 15 copies (double-sided preferred) of the full proposal.
- 30 copies of Section I of the proposal.
- Copy of full proposal on computer diskette, labeled with P.I. name and word processing program used (we prefer MS Word for Windows or rich text format). Alternately, an attached copy of the file can be emailed to baransom@ucdavis.edu. Please contact SAREP if this requirement presents an undue hardship.
Proposal packets should be sent to:
UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP)
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8716
Physical location for delivery services (UPS, Federal Express, etc.): DANR Building, Hopkins Road (off Hutchison Road west of Highway 113).
All proposals will be reviewed by members of SAREP’s Program and Technical advisory committees. These include individuals from farming and ranching, government, public organizations, and institutions of higher education, all of whom are knowledgeable regarding the issues and practices of sustainable agriculture. Where necessary, additional peer review for scientific merit will be sought. Successful applicants will be notified of awards in June 2001. Applicants from outside of the University of California should be aware that additional time is required to initiate a contract in order to award grant funds.
FURTHER INFORMATION
SAREP's Mission:
SAREP is a statewide program providing leadership and support for scientific research and education that promote agricultural and food systems that are economically viable, sustain natural resources and biodiversity, and enhance the quality of life in the state’s diverse communities.
Program Goals:
- California farmers and ranchers are more able to manage their land and businesses in ways that are economically viable and that protect and enhance both human and natural resources and biodiversity.
- Consumers have a closer connection to agriculture and California’s rural and urban communities are strengthened through participation in sustainable food systems.
- Government programs and policies encourage and support the development of sustainable farms, ranches and communities in California.
If you have any questions, please call Bev Ransom, grants manager, at (530) 754-8546 or baransom@ucdavis.edu
Please consult SAREP’s Project Database on the Web (www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/grants/database/) for examples of previously funded projects. More information about SAREP is available in the Biennial Report: 1997-1999, available on SAREP’s Web site (www.sarep.ucdavis.edu) or by request at (530) 752-7556.
The University of California prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized). University Policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Dr., 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-3550 (510) 987-0096.
Cover Page- UC SAREP 2001 Research & Education Proposals
Attach a completed copy of this page to each copy of your proposal.
Project Title:______________________________________________________________________________
Project Topic Area:
___ Ia. Optimizing Organic Farming Systems
___ Ib. Optimizing Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (Name of BIFS project link: ________________________________)
___ II. Promoting the Development of Sustainable Community Food Systems
Principal Investigator (main contact):
Name ______________________________College/University or
non-profit org. ________________________
Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone __________________ Email _________________________
FAX ___________________________
Other Investigators:
Name & Affiliation---------------Mailing
Address---------------Telephone-------------------Email
Cooperators:
Name & Affiliation---------------Mailing
Address---------------Telephone-------------------Email
Budget Totals: (Total requested from SAREP)
Year 1:___________ Year 2: ___________
County(ies) project would be conducted in: ____________ Crop(s) if applicable: __________________
Approval Signatures:
Principal Investigator ___________________________
Office of Research/Representative of Organization ___________________________
for University P.I.s: Department Chair _____________________
or County Director ___________________ and Regional Director _____________________________