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11 November 2009
In This Issue:
Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities
~ Puget Sound Watershed Management Assistance Program~ Environmental Education Grants
~ Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants
~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants-Northeastern Region
~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants--Southern Region
~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants--Western Region
~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grant--North Central Region
~ Technical Assistance and Support for Improved Ground Water Protection
~ Wetland Design and Restoration Assistance
~ Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319
~ Specialty Crop Research Initiative
~ Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU
~ Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification
~ Extension Integrated Pest Management - Coordination and Support
~ International Science and Education Grants Program
Conferences, Meetings and Reports
~ Science and Engineering State Profiles: 2006-08~ World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE)
~ International Conference “Molecular Aspects of Plant Development”
Congressional/Administration News
~ Agriculture Committee Chair not concerned with passage of cap-and-trade legislation~ Drastic measures recommended to clean up Chesapeake Bay
~ Budget Senators seek passage of long-term budget planning
~ Stabenow champion for ag and forestry in senate climate change debate
~ US Geological Survey funding set for FY 2010
Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities
(TOP) ~ Puget Sound Watershed Management Assistance Program
(TOP) ~ Environmental Education Grants
This document solicits grant proposals to support environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. This grant program provides financial support for innovative projects that design, demonstrate, or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques as described in this notice. Deadline 15 Dec. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50030
(TOP) ~ Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants
This competitive grants program is intended to promote and strengthen the ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to carry out higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences. Programs aim to attract outstanding students and produce graduates capable of enhancing the Nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional work force. Deadline 16 Feb. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50040
(TOP) ~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants-Northeastern Region
(TOP) ~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants--Southern Region
(TOP) ~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants--Western Region
NIFA announces the availability of funds and requests applications for the Regional Integrated Pest Management Competitive Grants Program Western Region (W – RIPM) for fiscal year (FY) 2010 to help achieve National IPM goals by increasing the supply and dissemination of IPM knowledge and by enhancing collaboration among stakeholders. The amount available for support of this program in FY 2010 is approximately $650,000. Deadline 17 Dec. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50049
(TOP) ~ Regional Integrated Pest Management Grant--North Central Region
(TOP) ~ Technical Assistance and Support for Improved Ground Water Protection
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications from eligible applicants for technical assistance and support that will enhance communication and coordination between EPA and the states to protect ground water. The technical assistance and support are related to activities that will develop and expand the capability of state Underground Injection Control (UIC) programs (Class I-V and proposed Class VI), tribes with UIC primary enforcement authority (primacy), and source water protection (with an emphasis on ground water protection) programs. The successful applicant will provide leadership and support in assisting states and tribes with UIC primacy in highlighting UIC and source water protection issues, prioritizing these issues, and formulating potential strategies for solutions and recommendations to states. The applicant will work with state agency officials who are responsible for implementing ground water protection programs to identify strategies that address solutions. The successful applicant will monitor, coordinate, represent, and advance state environmental interests among states and to EPA. Deadline 18 Dec. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50075
(TOP) ~ Wetland Design and Restoration Assistance
The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Louisiana is requesting applications to provide planning, design and implementation of restoration activities on eligible Wetlands Reserve Program and Emergency Watershed Protection – Floodplain Easement properties. The objective of WRP/EWP-FPE is to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners in planning, designing and implementing wetland and associated upland restoration plans that maximize wildlife habitat in wetland systems, as well as provide water quality improvements, reduced soil erosion, reduced impacts of flooding and provide wildlife habitat opportunities for threatened and endangered species. Deadline 4 Dec. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50088
(TOP) ~ Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319
This is a Request for Proposals from Indian Tribes for competitive grants under section 319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The purpose of this grant program is to provide funding for Tribes to implement their nonpoint source (NPS) management programs developed pursuant to CWA section 319(b). The primary goal of the NPS management program is to control NPS pollution through implementation of management measures and practices to reduce pollutant loadings resulting from each category or subcategory of NPSs identified in the Tribe’s NPS assessment report developed pursuant to CWA section 319(a). EPA has set aside a portion of section 319 funds appropriated by Congress for competitive grant awards to Tribes for the purpose of funding the development and implementation of watershed-based plans and other on-the-ground watershed projects that result in a significant step towards solving NPS impairments on a watershed-wide basis. Deadline 18 Dec. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50094
(TOP) ~ Specialty Crop Research Initiative
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) was established to solve critical industry issues through research and extension activities. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. SCRI will give priority to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional, or trans-disciplinary; and include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas: research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics; efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators; efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term; new innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; and methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops. Deadline 14 Jan. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50092
(TOP) ~ Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU
The funding opportunity is to conduct research on the valuation of ecosystem services and its utility for land-use management. The goal of this research is to assess and improve the usefulness of ecosystem services valuation for land use decision making. The study will consist of two main objectives: 1) Determine which, if any, methods for valuing ecosystem services are suitable for operational use by land managers; and 2) Explore the usefulness of an ecosystem services valuation framework to the land use decision-making process. This specific study will be conducted within the context of an interagency collaborative research project on the assessment and valuation of ecosystem services within the San Pedro River Basin, southeastern Arizona. To the extent feasible, economic valuation efforts will include the use and assessment of (a) valuation procedures specifically designed for this project, which may include both stated preference and revealed preference methods for nonmarket valuation; (b) existing ecosystem service valuation tools, and (c) economic benefit transfer techniques. Deadline 16 Nov. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50108
(TOP) ~ Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification
(TOP) ~ Extension Integrated Pest Management - Coordination and Support
The FY 2010 Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program (EIPM-CS) contains two components, EIPM-CS Coordination and EIPM-CS Support. Both components support state and local contributions in advancing the goals of the National Road Map for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by addressing priority needs associated with the coordination, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of extension IPM programs. EIPM-CS funds will help agricultural producers and other pest managers adopt alternative pest management practices through training, demonstration, and evaluation of methods and strategies. All EIPM-CS efforts are intended to contribute to the achievement of national IPM goals through the demonstration and evaluation of IPM practices in production agriculture and other settings. Awards strengthen the ability of NIFA and its IPM partner institutions to actively address local, state, and national IPM needs delivered through the Cooperative Extension Services and rapidly respond to new issues and opportunities. Deadline 14 Jan. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50165
(TOP) ~ International Science and Education Grants Program
The International Science and Education Competitive Grants Program (ISE) supports research, extension, and teaching activities that will enhance the capabilities of American colleges and universities to conduct international collaborative research, extension and teaching. ISE projects are expected to enhance the international content of curricula; ensure that faculty work beyond the U.S. and bring lessons learned back home; promote international research partnerships; enhance the use and application of foreign technologies in the U.S.; and strengthen the role that colleges and universities play in maintaining U.S. competitiveness. Deadline 28 Jan. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50172
Conferences, Meetings and Reports
(TOP) ~ Science and Engineering State Profiles: 2006-08
This is a NSF Statistical Reports on Research and Development Funding and Performance item. Available Formats: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf10302/?WT.mc_id=USNSF_143. Document Number: nsf10302. Also available is Science and Engineering Degrees, by Race/Ethnicity: 1997-2006 at: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf10300/?WT.mc_id=USNSF_178, Document Number: nsf10300
(TOP) ~ World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE)
The USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board has released its latest monthly WASDE report, which provides USDA's comprehensive forecasts of supply and demand for major U.S. and global crops and U.S. livestock. The report gathers information from a number of statistical reports published by USDA and other government agencies, and provides a framework for additional USDA reports. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/. The report was prepared by the USDA Interagency Commodity Estimates Committees, information about which is posted at http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/committee.htm
(TOP) ~ International Conference “Molecular Aspects of Plant Development”
The early bird registration deadline on November 26th for the International Conference “Molecular Aspects of Plant Development”, to be held in Vienna from February 23-26, 2010 is approaching quickly! Be sure to send in your abstract before November 19th too! For submission, send your abstract to the following email address: [email protected]. Please, click for registration now: https://www.events.mondial.at/ei/getdemo.ei?id=482&s=_0900ITNEB. View all meeting information online at http://www.univie.ac.at/mapd/
Congressional/Administration News
(TOP) ~ Agriculture Committee Chair not concerned with passage of cap-and-trade legislation
Recent reports in Congressional Quarterly indicate that House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson (D-MN), the principal architect behind many of the agriculture provisions in the House climate bill, may not support the sweeping measure should it return to his chamber for a vote on final passage next year. He announced that his doubts about the legislation outweigh the positives even though he did support the bill (H.R. 2454) which barely passed in the House earlier last summer. He also intimated that a vote on final passage of a climate bill is another matter altogether. "I voted for it because they accommodated my amendment ... but if it was to become law, I would vote 'no,'" Peterson told Energy & Environment last week. Peterson reflects the views of other members from agricultural districts on climate change legislation which would cap total emissions and allow industries to offset some of their pollution by investing in carbon-sequestering conservation projects. Despite achieving wins during the negotiation before House passage of the climate change bill including provisions friendly to corn-based ethanol and a switch that put the Agriculture Department, rather than U.S. EPA, in charge of programs that would offset emissions with conservation efforts on farms, ranches and forests, Peterson still expressed little concern for its passage. In the Senate where 60 votes are needed to prevent a filibuster of the climate bill, majority party leaders must win over a good number of fence sitters from their own party.
(TOP) ~ Drastic measures recommended to clean up Chesapeake Bay
U.S EPA's Chesapeake Bay chief yesterday expressed strong support for a Senate bill aimed at aggressively shoring up faltering state cleanup efforts in the nation's largest estuary. The bill, S. 1816, sponsored by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), is "a thoughtful and highly constructive initiative to address the nutrient and sediment pollution problems plaguing the bay," Chuck Fox, EPA's senior adviser for the Chesapeake Bay, told the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee yesterday. During his testimony Fox added that provisions in the bill that target pollution from farms, new development and urban and suburban runoff are "highly consistent" with EPA's new strategy for curbing pollution in the bay. The agency's new Chesapeake Bay plan was first outlined in September under a White House directive. An interesting requirement within the bill directs EPA to establish a regional cap-and-trade program for nitrogen and phosphorous in the bay watershed, a provision that Fox said "makes a lot of sense." This type of program would permit industrial plants and other so-called point sources of water pollution to purchase the right to pollute from entities in the watershed that have cleaned up their discharges. For example, a company might buy credits from farmers who have cut back on fertilizers, a "nonpoint source" of nutrients in waterways. Stay tuned…
(TOP) ~ Budget Senators seek passage of long-term budget planning
(TOP) ~ Stabenow champion for ag and forestry in senate climate change debate
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has emerged as a strong champion for agriculture and forestry groups seeking to obtain favorable concessions in the climate change bill recently passed by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Senator Stabenow has been deeply involved in developing a farms and forests bill since the previous Congress when the Lieberman-Warner climate change legislation was being debated. The Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science Societies have met with Senator Stabenow’s office multiple times within the past year to discuss science issues surrounding carbon sequestration in agricultural systems as well as permanence and verification and other issues. It is rumored that Stabenow’s bill would be merged at some point with S 1733 which would cap greenhouse gas emissions and establish a market for trading government-issued pollution allowances. Early drafts of Stabenow’s bill try to appease farm groups and environmental groups by giving the Agriculture Department chief jurisdiction of the program while creating a consultation role for the EPA and establishing a scientific panel to evaluate the environmental integrity of offset projects.
(TOP) ~ US Geological Survey funding set for FY 2010
The FY 2010 Interior, Environment Appropriations Bill has been sent to President Barack Obama for his signature. Contained within H.R. 2996 is funding for the U.S. Geological Survey. Total funding for USGS increases 6.5 percent in FY 2010. This bill also contains a provision to continue funding at current levels for departments and agencies for which an appropriations bill has not been passed. This funding expires on December 18. Seven of the twelve appropriations bills have not yet been passed. No one is predicting the number of these bills that will be passed separately, since the upcoming debate on health care reform is expected to consume almost all floor time. Bills that are not passed will be combined into a single bill. The full conference report, House Report 111-316, has not yet been published in final form. Additional details: The FY 2009 USGS appropriation was $1,111.7 million, an increase of 6.5 percent or $67.9 million. There are eight components of the USGS budget. The conference report, in language applying to all USGS components, states: “In addition to the guidance included in both the House and Senate committee reports the conference agreement provides the following direction.” Geographic Research, Investigations, and Remote Sensing to receive $145.6 million, an increase of 2.4 percent or $3.5 million. Geological Hazards, Resources, and Processes to receive $249.1 million, an increase of 2.9 percent or $7.0 million. Water Resources Investigations is slated for $232.3 million, an increase of 4.9 percent or $10.9 million. The Biological Research area is to receive $204.9 million, an increase of 10.6 percent or $19.6 million. Global Change is provided $58.2 million, an increase of 43.3 percent or $17.6 million, while Science Support is funded at $69.2 million, an increase of $1.8 million or 2.7 percent.
Sources: The American Institute of Physics; Congressional Quarterly; E&E Publishing; Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC
Vision: The Societies Washington, DC Science Policy Office (SPO) will advocate the importance and value of the agronomic, crop and soil sciences in developing national science policy and ensuring the necessary public-sector investment in the continued health of the environment for the well being of humanity. The SPO will assimilate, interpret, and disseminate in a timely manner to Society members information about relevant agricultural, natural resources and environmental legislation, rules and regulations under consideration by Congress and the Administration.
This page of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA web site will highlight current news items relevant to Science Policy. It is not an endorsement of any position.