Organic Agriculture Research Programs at the USDA

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) – Research into organic agriculture topics

USDA’s in-house research agency, ARS operates labs and field stations nationwide. Organic research has included projects on cover crop integration in vegetable systems in CA, organic dairy herd health in WI, and long-term crop trials in MD.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) – Competitive Grant Programs

While ARS conducts research for the USDA, NIFA’s mission is to provide grants to research institutions, including ARS and the Land-Grant Universities.

• Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) – The flagship NIFA competitive grant program is dedicated to organic agricultural research. It supports research, education, and extension programs that enhance the ability of organic producers and processors to grow and market high-quality products.
• Organic Transitions Program (ORG) – Awards grants for production and competitive-based agricultural issues, especially for farmers transitioning to organic production systems.
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) – USDA’s longest-running sustainable agriculture grants program. While not exclusively organic, SARE has funded thousands of farmer-driven projects, including many led by organic and transitioning producers.