Science Policy Report
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08 December 2021
In This Issue:
Policy News
~ Congress avoids a government shutdown — but a long to-do list looms~ The U.S. Global Change Research Program is seeking public comment
~ As tax dollars dry up, ag schools turn to agribusiness dollars and industry projects
~ This chemical is in short supply, and the whole world feels it
~ A nutritionist reflects on the sad state of health education about GMOs and farming at schools and universities
Science and Society News
~ Multiple awards to participate in ASA, CSSA, SSSA Virtual Congressional Visits Day~ Arctic puffballs tell the story of global mercury transport
~ New Books – North American Agroforestry, 3rd Edition
International Corner
~ Chinese researchers achieve major breakthrough in truly sustainable ‘DNA plastic’~ Ghana resumes approval process for insect-resistant cowpea, its first GMO crop
~ Indian Parliament votes to repeal farm laws after Modi’s U-turn
Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities
~ Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program~ Boulder County Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund
~ Funds for the Environmental Issues Impacting the East Coast
~ Major Research Instrumentation Program
~ FACT’s Fund-A-Farmer Grants
~ Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund 2022 Request for Proposals
~ Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Nutrition Education Grant
Policy News
(TOP) ~ Congress avoids a government shutdown — but a long to-do list looms
President Biden has signed legislation to keep the government funded through Feb. 18, clearing the way for Congress to focus on a daunting year-end to-do list. Congress has less than three weeks to resolve differences that have plagued both parties for the entire year. Lawmakers are juggling must-pass items, like addressing the nation's borrowing authority and an annual defense authorization package, along with major political priorities for Democrats. Read the full article.
(TOP) ~ The U.S. Global Change Research Program is seeking public comment
In collaboration with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, USGCRP is seeking public comment on the prospectus for its National Global Change Research Plan (2022-2031). The opportunity to provide comment runs through January 11, 2022. In addition to feedback on the strategic pillars and priorities, USGCRP is seeking input on themes or topics that should be included in the final Strategic Plan. Respondents should consider ideas on emerging, large-scale scientific questions related to global change and/or response, especially those where interagency collaboration will be critical; specific information on how science is or is not being used to inform societal response to climate change, and why; and knowledge gaps and obstacles to implementing scientific tools or knowledge. Read the full prospectus.
(TOP) ~ As tax dollars dry up, ag schools turn to agribusiness dollars and industry projects
From Iowa to Oklahoma to Kansas, universities are working more closely with agribusiness to pay for projects where tax dollars have become more scarce. Critics worry that agriculture schools might focus more on industry than the public interest. Read the full article.
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(TOP) ~ This chemical is in short supply, and the whole world feels it
Farmers in India are desperate. Trucks in South Korea had to be idled. Food prices, already high, could rise even further. This is a story about one of those unsung forces that quietly keep the world running. It is a story about the clockwork interconnectedness of modern civilization, about how disturbances in one part of the planet can kick up storms in another. This is a story, naturally, about urea. Read the full article.
(TOP) ~ A nutritionist reflects on the sad state of health education about GMOs and farming at schools and universities
Anti-GMO propaganda documentary films have become a prime source of misinformation. Earlier this year, Iowa State University hosted about 300 high school students from around the state who participated in the World Food Prize Youth Institute. I served as one of the discussion leaders and had the opportunity to talk with several students during the day. Read the full article.
Science and Society News
(TOP) ~ Multiple awards to participate in ASA, CSSA, SSSA Virtual Congressional Visits Day
For 2021, the ASA, CSSA, SSSA Congressional Visits Day will be a VIRTUAL event! VCVD participants will be put into small groups to meet with Members of Congress and their staff and advocate for USDA research funding. Participants will attend 3-6 webinar meetings with Members of Congress and their staff. Scheduling and logistics for the virtual meetings will be provided and all participants will receive policy, communication, and advocacy training to prepare you to effectively work with members of Congress and their staff. VCVD is an exciting opportunity to use your voice and your skills to help shape federal science policy. Applications for two awards to participate in VCVD are now open, deadline January 7. Learn more and apply here.
(TOP) ~ Arctic puffballs tell the story of global mercury transport
Ringed seal liver is a delicacy in traditional Arctic communities—one that local health authorities in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada warned women of childbearing age to avoid consuming in 2011. Though the warning eased in 2019, it bore signs of the impact global consumption can have even on communities in the most remote regions. The seal liver, you see, contained incredibly high concentrations of mercury, and it’s not coming from sources in the Arctic. Read the full article.
(TOP) ~ New Books – North American Agroforestry, 3rd Edition
Agroforestry—the practice of incorporating trees in agricultural systems and managing them alongside crops and sometimes livestock—is as old as agriculture itself. But the scientific study of agroforestry systems is much younger and quickly growing. The newly revised and third edition of North American Agroforestry brings the classic reference up to date, incorporating a decade’s worth of advances in a growing sector of alternative, sustainable agriculture. Read the full article.
International Corner
(TOP) ~ Chinese researchers achieve major breakthrough in truly sustainable ‘DNA plastic’
Researchers in China have unveiled a breakthrough that could provide a more sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to plastics — with none of their toxic effects. The new bioplastic product, colloquially termed “DNA plastic,” is made from natural DNA and biomass-derived ionomers. Read the full story.
(TOP) ~ Ghana resumes approval process for insect-resistant cowpea, its first GMO crop
Now that it has a new governing board, Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority says it is ready to resume its approval of insect-resistant Bt cowpea, the country’s first genetically modified (GM) crop. Farmers, seed producers and scientists have expressed frustration over the government’s delayed approval of the crop, popularly called beans, as the price of the commodity has doubled since the beginning of the year. The price hike has been partly blamed on pest damage, which the GM variety can resist. Read the full article.
(TOP) ~ Indian Parliament votes to repeal farm laws after Modi’s U-turn
The government claimed the legislations, passed in September last year, aimed to deregulate farm produce markets. But protesting farmers said the laws would lead to a corporate takeover of the vast agriculture sector, which is the largest source of livelihood in India and about 70 percent of rural households depend on it for a living. India’s Parliament has voted to scrap agricultural reform laws that sparked a year of huge protests by farmers, after a surprise U-turn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read the full article.
Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities
(TOP) ~ Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program
The purpose of this USDA NIFA program is to establish an Extension presence and support Extension outreach on Federally Recognized Indian Reservations and Tribal jurisdictions of Federally-Recognized Tribe. This program seeks to continue the Land Grants mission of inclusion - providing education and research-based knowledge to those who might not otherwise receive it. Deadline: Feb 25. Read the full announcement.
(TOP) ~ Boulder County Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund
Boulder County, Colorado, has set aside $405,000 for sustainability-focused initiatives that will address the priority needs of local farmers and agricultural producers. Boulder County invites farmers, agricultural producers, the private sector, and non-profit organizations to apply for one-time capital grant funding to undertake environmental sustainability projects that benefit Boulder County’s food system and agricultural lands. Any registered business, official non-profit organization, or government entity can apply for funding at a minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $150,000 per project or apply to the small project fund for a minimum $2,000 up to a maximum of $5,000. Deadline: Jan 5. Read the full announcement.
(TOP) ~ Funds for the Environmental Issues Impacting the East Coast
The Merck Family Fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations that address one of the following three program areas: The Reducing CO2 Emissions Through Energy Efficiency and Carbon Pricing program supports the development of political and economic drivers at the federal and state level in the Northeast and Southeast to establish or expand carbon pricing mechanisms. The Conserving Ecologically Valuable Land program provides grants for land conservation efforts in the Southeast. The Urban Farming and Youth Leadership program supports initiatives in New York City and Philadelphia as well as low-income urban areas in Massachusetts that help young people to create urban farms and local markets. The deadlines for letters of inquiry in 2022 are January 10 and July 11. Deadline: Jan 10. Read the full announcement.
(TOP) ~ Major Research Instrumentation Program
The NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. MRI also provides support to develop next-generation research instruments that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders. An MRI proposal may request up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Deadline: Jan 19. Read the full announcement.
(TOP) ~ FACT’s Fund-A-Farmer Grants
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) awards competitive grants up to $3,000 to working, independent farmers located in the United States who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, ducks, geese, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep, and/or turkeys. Grants are available for farmers who are pursuing animal welfare certification, farmers who are already welfare-certified and want to build capacity or maintain certification, or farmers who want to improve or expand pasture for their animals. Deadline: Jan 20. Read the full announcement.
(TOP) ~ Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund 2022 Request for Proposals
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals within the Cumberland Plateau region that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest and freshwater habitats and associated wildlife species in the region. Funding is provided by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Paper’s Forestland Stewards Partnership, and the Altria Group. Approximately $1 million is expected to be available for grants this funding cycle. Deadline: Feb 10. Read the full announcement.
(TOP) ~ Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Nutrition Education Grant
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended through Public Law 115-334, authorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and provides for the provision of funds to State Agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) to conduct nutrition education activities. Since 2008, annual appropriations acts have provided funding for nutrition education services to State Agencies and Federally Recognized Tribes who are current FDPIR allowance holders and have a direct agreement with FNS to administer FDPIR. The need for FDPNE is determined annually by Congress. Funding is usually provided in the annual appropriations bill. FNS anticipates the 2022 Appropriations Act to provide $998,000 under Title IV for this grant program. Grant awards are dependent on availability of funding. Deadline: Mar 1. Read the full announcement.
Sources: NPR, The Counter, The New York Times, The Genetic Literacy Project, Cornell Alliance for Science, Al Jazeera
Vision: The Societies Washington, DC Science Policy Office (SPO) will advocate the importance and value of the agronomic, crop and soil sciences in developing national science policy and ensuring the necessary public-sector investment in the continued health of the environment for the well being of humanity. The SPO will assimilate, interpret, and disseminate in a timely manner to Society members information about relevant agricultural, natural resources and environmental legislation, rules and regulations under consideration by Congress and the Administration.
This page of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA web site will highlight current news items relevant to Science Policy. It is not an endorsement of any position.