Program Description

The "Organic Training for Agricultural Professionals" prize recognizes extraordinary contributions to training farming community groups, farmer-leaders, and agricultural professionals in organic agronomic, certification and record-keeping, and profitability guidance. Specifically, this award focuses on programs and organizations that have used an innovative approach to delivering content and have demonstrated impacts in improving education and extension to organic farmers. This award provides innovative programs with the investment needed to take their efforts to the next level and bolster their communication to a wider audience, leading to more farmers adopting organic production and thereby accessing the many benefits associated with the organic opportunity.

View the Full RFA to Apply

Award Amount 

This program will award a prize of up to $300,000 per year for one year with the potential to extend for a maximum of three years, to programs showing the greatest success in past and future ability to train agronomic groups and professionals in organic practices.

Matching Requirements 

Applicants are required to match the award amounts, with at least 50% of the matching as cash. The other 50% may be matched as in-kind. For more information about in-kind matching requirements, visit FFAR’s Grantee FAQ page.

Program Priorities

​​​​The Organic Center and FFAR seek applicants that have used an innovative approach to delivering content and have demonstrated impacts in improving education and extension to organic farmers. Applications that address the following will receive preference:

1. Has a record of accomplishment in contributing to training farming community groups, farmer-leaders, and agricultural professionals in organic agronomic, certification and record-keeping, and profitability guidance.

2. Contributes to the goal of increasing organic agriculture, and aiding organic farmers and farmers interested in transitioning to organic.

3. Is dedicated to farmer accessibility to agronomic professionals that are trained in organic production.

4. Demonstrates partnerships with different sectors (private, non-government organizations (NGO), governments, academia and other stakeholders) such that programs may be scalable and applicable across agricultural regions.

5. Engages organic farmers in the development, governance, oversight, and/or evaluation of educational and training programs.

6. Is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their internal policies and farmer/trainer audiences.

Eligibility 

The Organic Center and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research welcomes applications from all domestic higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, consortiums, US government-affiliated research agencies, tribal government entities or any combination of the above.

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