Awarded Grants
Below is a listing of our awarded grants that tackle big food and agriculture challenges.

FFAR-OCP Disruptive Fertilizer Technology Fellowship First Cohort 

The FFAR-OCP Disruptive Fertilizer Technology Fellows Program fosters disruptive innovation in the next generation of fertilizer research and development through a research challenge, whereby emerging young researchers can enhance their efforts in fertilizer efficiency research and technology development. These research projects address the need for increasing plant uptake of essential macronutrients and limiting the loss of inputs – which contribute largely to water and marine ecosystem damage – while boosting productivity.

Ohio State University Study Examines Soil Organic Carbon-Enhancing Practices 

Carbon farming optimizes carbon capture by implementing practices that are known to improve the rate at which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in plant material or soil organic matter. To fill research gaps in soil sequestration practices, Ohio State University researchers are studying the potential of soil management practices to mitigate climate change.

Mapping Trees in Future Climates: Integrating Knowledge, Data and Tools to Enhance Agroforestry Adoption for Climate Resilience 

The Savanna Institute is producing high-resolution future climate suitability maps across the Midwestern U.S. that can be incorporated into tools to inform climate-smart agroforestry adoption.

Kansas State University Provides Data on Nitrogen Management Practices in the Great Plains 

Limited data is available that evaluates nitrogen losses and provides producers with the information needed to reduce nitrogen fertilizer application rates for water-limited crops by using climate-smart agriculture practices. Kansas State University researchers are examining the key components of the nitrogen cycle in water-limited grain sorghum production under various climate-smart agriculture practices.

Improving Soil Health on Vineyards 

Nitrogen SAVings through soil hEalth (NSAVE): Leveraging regenerative agriculture to reduce nitrogen inputs, increase farmer profits & mitigate climate change 

Nitrogen is critical to plant growth and yields. Soil health practices can increase nitrogen availability, but farmers cannot determine by how much, so they apply additional, synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which is costly, contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and can negatively impact land and water ecosystems. This research is quantifying how adopting soil health practices can reduce the need for nitrogen inputs without sacrificing yield. Farmers need this scientifically sound economic information to make the best decisions for their land.

AgMission/Precision Conservation Management MOU 

Through AgMission, FFAR entered in MOU with PCM to implement the Sustainable Farming Program improvement plan focused on regenerative agriculture in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

FFAR Grant Examines Management Practices Effect on Soil Health 

An international coalition announced a $19 million research project aimed at understanding how a farmer or ranchers’ grazing management decisions impacts soil health on pasture and rangeland (commonly called grazing lands) and – in turn – how soil health can positively impact a producer’s land and well-being.

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

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. Hannah Van Zanten received $150,000 for developing a European circular food systems model (CiFoS), which is now extending to a global model. The extended model can ultimately benefit U.S. farmers and agricultural stakeholders.

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

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.