National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Description

NIFA supports programs to address critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research and extension activities and programs to evaluate both the environmental impacts of organic agriculture and the environmental services provided. The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) established the National Organic Program (NOP) in 1990. Final rules for implementing this legislation came out in 2000 and nationwide organic standards for certification under a national organic label were first established in 2002. Current market participants report that shortages of organic products constrain the growth of both individual firms and the overall organic sector. NIFA addresses the needs of organic agriculture through both the provision of formula grants to universities and colleges and through competitive funding. The Integrated Organic Program (IOP) is a competitive program that has included the Organic Transitions Program since 2001 and the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) from 2009 to 2012.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

NIFA Help Desk <br/>Phone: 202-401-5048 <br/>Business hours are M-F, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm ET, excluding Federal holidays
electronic@nifa.usda.gov