tapped in | max facts
University Awarded $ 432k to Help Transform Local Ecosystem
U . S . Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker awarded Clark Atlanta University ( CAU ) just over $ 432,000 under the Economic Development Administration ’ s Regional Innovation Strategies Program in November . CAU is the first southern , historically black college and university , and one of only 35 organizations overall , to be selected . With the funds , the university will launch the Clark Russell Entrepreneurship and Technology Ecosystem ( CREATE ). Using innovative STEM-based tools , CREATE aims to support 50 new entrepreneurs as they create 400 jobs in local food system technology enterprises . The program will help to change the economic landscape in Southwest Atlanta and encourage inclusive entrepreneurship . CREATE merges together the best assets of each of its partner organizations — the CAU , the United Negro College Fund ( UNCF ), the Herman J . Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship , and the Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture — which in turn gives entrepreneurs access to CAU research and its 3D-printing lab , access to urban farming innovations , and more .
blavity . com
Organic Transitions Program to Grant $ 3.8 Million in Funding
The US Department of Agriculture ’ s ( USDA ) National Institute of Food and Agriculture ( NIFA ) has up to $ 3.8 million in funding available to support research , education , and extension to support organic farms and those adopting organic practices for the first time . The grants are funded through the Organic Transitions Program , which is administered by NIFA and authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill . Priority research areas include documenting and understanding the effects of organic practices ; improving technologies , methods , model development , and other metrics to document , describe , and optimize the environmental services and climate change mitigation ability of organic farming systems ; developing cultural practices and other allowable alternatives to substances recommended for removal from NOP ’ s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances ; and addressing major barriers that limit the transition to organic agriculture . Applications are due March 9 , 2017 .
imperialvalleynews . com ; nifa . usda . gov
Georgia Continues Historic Growth of Organic Farms
When Georgia Organics and the Georgia Dept . of Agriculture launched the 100 Organic Farms Campaign in 2015 , it started a state-wide collaboration to grow Georgia ’ s organic industry from 75 certified farms to more than 100 by the end of 2016 . Georgia surpassed that goal and ended the year with 110 organic farms , a 45 per cent increase . The two organizations are now kicking off the 200 Organic Farms Campaign to further support farmers pursuing organic certification and boosting the ever-growing organic industry . The new campaign removes financial barriers by reimbursing the cost of a USDA Organic Certification up to $ 1,000 for farmers pursuing it for the first time . In addition , farmers who participate in the 200 Organic Farms campaign will also receive marketing assistance and access to workshops and online resources covering topics like business training , working with distributors and institutional buyers , and guidance on the certification process .
covnews . com
28 Maximum Yield USA | February 2017