20245130043051
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Micro-predators are an essential part of healthy organic soils, but the impact of organic management on most predators is unknown. This project will investigate how organic matter amendments affect soil micro-predator diversity to promote crop health.
Aligned with the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) 2024 priorities 1, 4, 5, and 8, it focuses on critical aspects of organic farming, including disease management and soil health, as well as development of educational materials.
The primary goal is to enhance organic growers' understanding of the function of soil micropredator communities by examining the interactions between soil organic matter, microbiomes, and plant health.
To accomplish this goal, our multidisciplinary team will:
- Identify organic management and soil effects on predator function by conducting a predator-ome and soil health survey across 12 organic tomato farms in four states (Obj. 1).
- Discover how different types of organic soil amendments support predator function and pathogen suppressiveness by conducting controlled microcosm experiments (Obj. 2).
- Confirm and apply new knowledge of predator function by developing predator-based soil inoculants and grower testing kits (Obj. 3).
- Educate growers and students about the role of soil predators through extension and curricular activities (Obj. 4).
This integrated approach of research, teaching, and outreach aims to provide actionable insights for organic farmers, promoting crop productivity and sustainable soil health management. The project's design reflects the needs of organic farmers identified in our OREI planning grant surveys and workshops, ensuring its relevance and potential impact in the organic farming community.
Aligned with the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) 2024 priorities 1, 4, 5, and 8, it focuses on critical aspects of organic farming, including disease management and soil health, as well as development of educational materials.
The primary goal is to enhance organic growers' understanding of the function of soil micropredator communities by examining the interactions between soil organic matter, microbiomes, and plant health.
To accomplish this goal, our multidisciplinary team will:
- Identify organic management and soil effects on predator function by conducting a predator-ome and soil health survey across 12 organic tomato farms in four states (Obj. 1).
- Discover how different types of organic soil amendments support predator function and pathogen suppressiveness by conducting controlled microcosm experiments (Obj. 2).
- Confirm and apply new knowledge of predator function by developing predator-based soil inoculants and grower testing kits (Obj. 3).
- Educate growers and students about the role of soil predators through extension and curricular activities (Obj. 4).
This integrated approach of research, teaching, and outreach aims to provide actionable insights for organic farmers, promoting crop productivity and sustainable soil health management. The project's design reflects the needs of organic farmers identified in our OREI planning grant surveys and workshops, ensuring its relevance and potential impact in the organic farming community.
Awardee
Funding Goals
NOT APPLICABLE
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Gainesville,
Florida
32611-1941
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
University Of Florida was awarded
Organic Soil Micro-Predator Diversity for Crop Health
Project Grant 20245130043051
worth $3,500,000
from the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability in September 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Gainesville Florida United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years and
was awarded through assistance program 10.307 Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/2/24
Period of Performance
9/1/24
Start Date
8/31/28
End Date
Funding Split
$3.5M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.5M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Subgrant Awards
Disclosed subgrants for 20245130043051
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
20245130043051
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
NNFQH1JAPEP3
Awardee CAGE
5E687
Performance District
FL-03
Senators
Marco Rubio
Rick Scott
Rick Scott
Modified: 7/2/24