Agricultural Advancement Consortium
2002-2003 Research Grants Program:
Enhancing the Profitability of Farming

Initiated in 2001 with awards totaling $130,000 to eight projects, the Agricultural Advancement Consortiumıs research grants program provides funds to non-profit organizations and governmental agencies to conduct innovative projects in areas such as development of alternative and specialty crops, value-added production and marketing; the development of structures to support the future of farming such as producersı and growersı cooperatives; projects to serve minority and underserved farmers; and the development and use of technology such as the internet in agriculture.

During the 2001-2002 grants round, the Consortium made awards for projects dealing with:

Highlights for the 2002-2003 Program Year

The Consortium made awards totalling $120,000 in FY 2003

FY 2003 Awards:

  • NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Farmstead Dairy Development Program
  • New River Community Partners,New River Basin Agricultural Marketing Initiative
  • NC Christmas Tree Association, NC Frasier Fir Brand Identity Promotion
  • NC Coalition of Farm & Rural Families, Improving Farm Profits by Using Plasticulture & Pot-in-Pot Technology
  • Operation Spring Plant, Market Research & Development for Small Family Farmers
  • Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, Efficacy & Impact of Advocacy Services for Farmers in North Carolina

    Priority was assigned to projects that 1) found ways to lower on-farm production costs, 2) helped provide access to new or existing markets, 3) showed substantial leverage by other funding sources, and 4) can be easily replicated regionally or statewide.

    The maximum grant award available through the Agricultural Advancement Consortium Grants Program this year was $20,000. Leveraging of additional non-Consortium funding was encouraged.

    Grants are not be made for the following: indirect costs, endowments, seed or challenge grants for physical facilities, annual fund drives, loan funds or lobbying.

    Eligibility

    North Carolina non-profit organizations, local governments and educational institutions are eligible for the program. The Consortium does not fund for-profit businesses.

    How To Apply

    The FY 2003 Grants Round has been completed. The deadline for applications was January 31, 2003, and awards were announced on March 10, 2003.

    Rural Center Contact

    Billy Guillet
    Director, Agricultural Advancement Consortium
    N.C. Rural Economic Development Center
    4021 Carya Drive
    Raleigh, NC 27610
    Telephone: 919-250-4314
    Fax: 919-250-4325
    E-mail: bguillet@ncruralcenter.org