2013 Request for Proposals is now closed, thank you for your applications!

Deadline: March 1, 2013

Warner Grant for Sustainable Agriculture

The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Sustainable Agriculture Team and Agroecosystems Management Program (AMP) are offering interdisciplinary grants to promote on-farm research in sustainable agriculture. This program is made available through the Paul C. and Edna H. Warner Endowment Fund established specifically for on-farm research in sustainable agriculture related to crop (agronomic and horticultural) and animal production systems, that are ultimately intended for human consumption.

Sustainable agriculture is characterized by a state of balance between:
• Practices and values that promote environmental stewardship and conservation of resources
• Long-term economic viability of farms and rural communities, and
• Preservation of the quality of life for farm families and support for rural communities.

Research is intended to identify and publicize sustainable agricultural practices and systems that are profitable, socially responsible, energy efficient and improve water quality and other environmental concerns relevant to Ohio farmers.

Report Summaries from Previous Warner Grants:

- Vinegar as an Organic Herbicide in Naturally Grown Blueberry Production:
          Daniel Greenfield (Greenfield Berry Farm), Brad Bergerfurd (OSU Extension), Katie Myers-Griffith (Countryside Conservancy)
- Using Leaf Humus as an Alternative Planting Material at the East Coit Urban Farm Project:
         Jacquiline Kowalski (OSU Extension, Cuyahoga)
- Utilizing Multiple Water Systems for Small Scale Livestock Operations in a Water Deficit Area: Pumping Water from the Cuyahoga River:
         Terry Smith (Goatfeathers Point Farm), Rory Lewandowski (OSU Extension)
- Enhancing Sustainability of Freshwater Prawn Production in Ohio
          Laura Tiu (OSU South Centers), Betty Jo Ratliff (Winchester, OH)
- Aquaponics for High Tunnels - Developing a Design and Demonstration Unit for Local Food Production:
          Laura Tiu (OSU South Centers), Barry Adler
- Strawberry Tip & Plug Nursery Research:
         Jon Branstrator (Branstrator Farm) and Brad Bergefurd (OSU Piketon)
- Soil Nutrient Contribution to Perpetual Warm Season Grasses:
        Mike Gastier (OSU Huron County Extension), Robert and Linda Wheeler
- Successful Transitioning to No-Till Corn-Soybean Rotation with Cover Crops for Home-Grown N, Weed Control, and Soil Quality Improvement:
         Jim Hoorman (OSU Extension, Lima), Yogi Raut (OSU Piketon), Aaron Lemaster, Robert Hartman
- Community Supported Agriculture Integrates Sustainable Agriculture:
        Gene McClure (Hardin County Extension), William VanScoy (VanScoy Farm), Stephanie Jolliff (Ridgemont Schools)
- Growing perennial grasses for biofuels on marginal land amended with municipal waste biosolids and flue gas desulfurization gypsum:
        Rafiq Islam and Randall Reeder
- Fall through Spring Sustainable- Organic Lettuce Production in Ohio:
        Natalie Bumgarner and Matt Kleinhenz