FFAR & Walton Family Foundation Seek Conservation Practice Adoption Research

Today the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Walton Family Foundation launched the Achieving Conservation through Targeting Information, Outreach and Networking (ACTION) program to develop innovative research that increases adoption of conservation practices. The program includes a collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that can provide additional support for practice implementation costs associated with opportunities developed through awarded projects.

Despite the potential benefits of in-field, edge-of-field and edge-of-stream conservation practices to soil and watershed health, implementation occurs on less than 10 percent of all U.S. croplands. The reasons for the low adoption rates remain unclear.

Coordinated efforts that engage farmers from the beginning could help researchers understand farmers’ specific needs and develop interventions that specifically target those needs.

Through the ACTION program, FFAR and the Walton Family Foundation seek projects that increase farmer and landowner adoption of conservation practices and provide a range of ecosystem benefits, including water quality improvements.

FFAR and the Walton Family Foundation anticipate awarding grants ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 for a total of approximately $1 million through this program. Projects that support the Edge of Field Roadmap and commit to implementing conservation practices through a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will be prioritized.

As the Walton Family Foundation provided matching funds for this program, applicants are not required to secure a match; however, forming collaborative partnerships and securing additional funds is encouraged.

Pre-applications for this opportunity are due on August 31, 2022. More information, including details on how to apply, is available on the ACTION program RFA webpage.

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR