20245118143233
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Fir (Abies spp.) account for 66%+ of the annual $2.5 billion US Christmas tree industry.
The environmental impact of real versus artificial trees shows a locally grown Christmas tree is the more sustainable choice as it can sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
Optimization of Christmas tree farms as greenhouse gas sinks has potential to become a net-positive climate activity through incentivization of carbon offset programs.
Planting genetically improved fir Christmas trees holds significant promise for the US Christmas tree industry to combat climate change and provide added value to farmers.
Across the US, Christmas tree planting stock is derived from germplasm of unknown genetic origin.
Therefore, the genetic value of extant planted materials cannot be determined.
To address this concern, North Carolina has established a state funded breeding program dedicated to genetic improvement of Fraser fir.
A primary goal of this project is to extend genetic improvement capabilities, accelerate the domestication process, and deliver increased value to the US Christmas tree industry through a transdisciplinary, systems-based approach.
In addition, we plan to identify economic benefits of genetically improved fir Christmas trees with enhanced climate resilience, pest and pathogen resistance, consumer preferences, and reduction in labor costs.
The goal is to implement modern genetic improvement methods for the U.S. Christmas tree industry.
We plan to develop low-cost, high-throughput genotyping assays based on genome assemblies of commercially important fir species and scale up somatic embryogenesis techniques for rapid propagation of elite fir germplasm to the U.S. Christmas tree industry.
The environmental impact of real versus artificial trees shows a locally grown Christmas tree is the more sustainable choice as it can sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
Optimization of Christmas tree farms as greenhouse gas sinks has potential to become a net-positive climate activity through incentivization of carbon offset programs.
Planting genetically improved fir Christmas trees holds significant promise for the US Christmas tree industry to combat climate change and provide added value to farmers.
Across the US, Christmas tree planting stock is derived from germplasm of unknown genetic origin.
Therefore, the genetic value of extant planted materials cannot be determined.
To address this concern, North Carolina has established a state funded breeding program dedicated to genetic improvement of Fraser fir.
A primary goal of this project is to extend genetic improvement capabilities, accelerate the domestication process, and deliver increased value to the US Christmas tree industry through a transdisciplinary, systems-based approach.
In addition, we plan to identify economic benefits of genetically improved fir Christmas trees with enhanced climate resilience, pest and pathogen resistance, consumer preferences, and reduction in labor costs.
The goal is to implement modern genetic improvement methods for the U.S. Christmas tree industry.
We plan to develop low-cost, high-throughput genotyping assays based on genome assemblies of commercially important fir species and scale up somatic embryogenesis techniques for rapid propagation of elite fir germplasm to the U.S. Christmas tree industry.
Awardee
Funding Goals
NOT APPLICABLE
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Raleigh,
North Carolina
27695
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
USDA-NIFA-SCRI-010534
North Carolina State University was awarded
Genetic Improvement of Fir Trees for US Christmas Industry
Project Grant 20245118143233
worth $7,417,335
from the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability in September 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Raleigh North Carolina United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years and
was awarded through assistance program 10.309 Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/5/24
Period of Performance
9/1/24
Start Date
8/31/28
End Date
Funding Split
$7.4M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$7.4M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Subgrant Awards
Disclosed subgrants for 20245118143233
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
20245118143233
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
12348T INSTITUTE OF FOOD PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY (IFPS)
Funding Office
12348T INSTITUTE OF FOOD PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY (IFPS)
Awardee UEI
U3NVH931QJJ3
Awardee CAGE
1E7H9
Performance District
NC-04
Senators
Thom Tillis
Ted Budd
Ted Budd
Modified: 8/5/24