Newsroom

CORVALLIS - The Agricultural Research Foundation of Oregon has awarded grants for 28 Oregon State University projects ranging from a study of a new use for the world's oldest crop to research with several types of innovative crop production practices.

The grants, totaling $250,200, were awarded through the foundation's annual Venture Capital Program, which supports and encourages new ideas, said Dorothy Beaton, the foundation's executive director.

One goal of the program is to provide seed funding that will help OSU scientists launch research projects and attract additional funding from other sources, Beaton noted.

The 28 grants range from $4,000 to $10,000. Examples of projects funded:

• "Barley Straw for Aquatic Algae Control: A New Use for the World's Oldest Crop," Patrick Hayes, OSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.
• "Use of Drip Irrigation to Increase Yield, Control Disease and Reduce Water Consumption on Seed Carrots, Onions and Garlic in Central Oregon," Marvin Butler, Jefferson County Office, OSU Extension Service.

A list of the 2003-04 grants is posted on the web at: http://agresearchfoundation.oregonstate.edu.

The Agricultural Research Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation and affiliate of OSU. The foundation's board is made up of representatives of numerous segments of Oregon's agriculture industry.

For more information on the Venture Capital Program, contact Beaton at 541-737-3228