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High dimensional phenomics and automation to transform cost and timeframe of early stage domestication of wild plants 

Year Awarded  2021

FFAR award amount   $999,957

Total award amount   $2,543,829

Location   St. Louis, MO

Program   Seeding Solutions

Matching Funders   The Danforth Center, Danforth Center Field Research Site at Planthaven Farms, The Land Institute, Perennial Agriculture Project and Saint Louis University

Grantee Institution   The Danforth Center

To ensure a plentiful food supply in the face of future climate-related challenges, scientists must diversify food crops by domesticating new species. Early farmers domesticated many annual plant species, those planted yearly, in part due to their quick growing cycles; however, these crops require agricultural practices that can harm the soil. Perennial crops, which live for multiple years, offer a more sustainable option. The challenge is that successfully and rapidly domesticating promising perennial crops relies on genetic screening of seeds, an expensive and time-consuming process. This grant is accelerating the development of perennial crops. The researchers are predicting breeding success based on the seedlings’ physical attributes.

FFAR Grant Speeds Domestication of Sustainable Crops 

FoodShot Global Challenge #2 Precision Protein, Deep Dive GroundBreaker Prize (South Carolina) 

Year Awarded  2021

Total award amount   $200,000

Location   Clemson, SC

Program   FoodShot Global Challenge

Matching Funders   FoodShot Global

Grantee Institution   Clemson University

FoodShot Global’s GroundBreaker Prize recognizes rising scientific stars whose research has identified technological and ecological tools that enable farmers to optimize yields and the long-term health of the land. Dr. Dil Thavarjah, Associate Professor of Pulse Quality and Nutrition and Clemson University School of Health Faculty Research Scholar at Clemson University, received a $200,000 for developing an integrated process for organic plant protein productions from the field to isolation.

PIP Seeks Research Applications for Premium Strawberry Flavors 

Creating Science-Based Strategies for Gene Editing Communications 

Year Awarded  2021

FFAR award amount   $189,794

Total award amount   $760,271

Location   Ithaca, NY

Matching Funders   Cornell Alliance for Science

Grantee Institution   Cornell University

FFAR invests in a range of research technologies, including projects that use biotechnology and gene editing to make agriculture more sustainable, protect biodiversity and ensure that the world has sufficient food to feed a growing population. Through this award, the Alliance for Science, a global communications initiative, is amplifying FFAR-funded research and programs.

FFAR Renames Program, Creates Fund to Honor Dr. Rockey 

ICASA Awards Two Grants to Improve Antibiotics Use in Cattle 

FFAR Grant Protects Coffee From Leaf Rust Disease 

FFAR Research Revolutionizes Hybrid Seed Production 

Improving Protein Content & Quality in Peas 

Year Awarded  2021

FFAR award amount   $612,257

Total award amount   $800,000

Location   St. Paul, MN

Program   Plant Protein Enhancement Project

Matching Funders   Benson Hill, Keygene, Syngenta, University of Minnesota

Grantee Institution   University of Minnesota

Plant protein is an important part of the global diet, but there are barriers limiting plant protein’s potential. Some amino acids, which are essential to diets, are missing or less abundant in plant protein. Also, a popular plant protein, soy, is an allergen for many. One alternative to soy is pea protein, but its nutritional value lags soy. University of Minnesota researchers are studying pea protein, develop methods for screening peas with superior protein nutrition and quality and breed these traits to cultivated peas.