eFields Tools for On-Farm Research
eFields is Ohio State Extension's on-farm research program. Resources are available to growers, county educators, or others with an interest in designing and performing on-farm research trials. Learn more or read past trial reports at digitalag.osu.edu/efields.
- Research Checklist
- Basic statistical tools (overview information, random number generator, data analysis tools in excel)
- Protocols and Economic Tools for Seeding Rate Trials
- Protocols for Soil Health Sampling
- Printable Study Design Layouts
- Ohio State PLOTS app - A downloadable app that helps manage and analyze comparisons of hybrids, fertilizer rates, stand counts, and more. Available to growers and easy to use. Look for it on your app store or use these links for iOS: go.osu.edu/PLOTSiOS or for Android: go.osu.edu/PLOTSandroid.
- Organic and Regenerative On-Farm Research Grants for growers and small non-profits
Ohio State Research Facilities
Organic Research Facilities at Ohio State
researchoperations.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/wooster-ag-facilities/organic-research-land
CFAES has over 80 acres of certified organic land available to conduct organic research in Wooster and other locations throughout the state.
Tips and Requirement for conducting organic research at Ohio State
Ohio State Grant Development Support Unit
grants.cfaes.ohio-state.edu
The GDSU offers guidance to researchers in planning, managing and submitting well-crafted grant proposals. They can also assist with locating fnding sources and manage Ohio State's internal SEEDS grant program.
Industry Connections
Most organic research projects require, or can at least benefit from, partnerships with organic farmers. Sometimes researchers already have a group of farmers they would like to work with. If not, many regional organizaitons can provide assistance from farmers to ensure research is relevant and transferrable.
OEFFA
As a major certifier of organic growers, Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association can assist with research projects.
Requesting Letters of Support
Requesting Partnership on a Grant Proposal
More about OEFFA
OFRF List of Research Priorities
OFRF periodically surveys organic farmers and publishes their top research needs. Results for the nation and specific regions are published in the National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) report. This report helps inform research priorities for USDA-NIFA as well.
Download the 2016 NORA report
State and regional commodity organizations
Most commodity groups have state and regional organizations that may provide assistance with documenting needs for research and possible contact information for farmers, outreach possibilities (speaking engagements, newsletters, etc) to enhance your project. It is best to involve these groups in your project's early stages.
Organic Research Funding Sources
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)
nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/organic-agriculture-research-and-extension-initiative
Up $20,000,000
Deadline: Thursday, January 14, 2021
Organic Transitions (ORG)
nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/organic-transitions-org
Up to $500,000
Deadline: usually in February
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
live-ofrf.pantheonsite.io/research/grant-awards/apply-for-funding/
Up to $20,000
Letters of Intent are solicited in the summer. Selected individuals are invited to submit a full grant proposal. These grants should focus on practical research that involves and benefits farmers directly. They are a nice option for graduate students or other emerging researchers.
Organic Valley Farmers Advocating for Funding
organicvalley.coop/why-organic-valley/power-of-we/farmers-advocating-organics/
$5,000 - $50,000
Deadline: August for letter of intent.
Sustainability Grants
These regional grants welcome organic topics.
North Central S.A.R.E.
northcentralsare.org/Grants/Timelines
A variety of grants are available. Please check the above website for accurate deadlines and more details.
Graduate Student – April
Farmer Rancher – early December
Research and Education – preproposals in October
Professional Development Program – April
Youth Educator – mid-November
Partnership – late October
Paul C. and Edna H. Warner Grants for Sustainable Agriculture
amp.osu.edu/research/funding-opportulnities-warner-grants-sustainable-agriculture
Administered by Ohio State’s Agroecostystem Management Program.
The RFP is typically released in late January with a deadline in early March.
Must include on-farm research.
Integrated Pest Management Center Grants
https://www.ncipmc.org/grants/
The North Central Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center funds working group grants and critical issues grants to address information, resource, and research needs of regional importance.
Applications are due November 20, 2020
National Sustainability Grants
AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems
https://nifa.usda.gov/program/afri-sas
Applications to the 2021 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) program must focus on systems approaches that promote transformational changes in the U.S. food and agricultural system within the context of the longterm goal of increasing American agricultural production by 40% with a reduction in environmental footprint by 50% by 2050.
Letters of intent are due January 7, 2021.