June 24, 2009

CORVALLIS - The Agricultural Research Foundation of Oregon has awarded grants to 31 Oregon State University projects. They range from a study of the potential of growing canola in the Willamette Valley as a biodiesel crop to developing fertility and weed control strategies for organic wheat and pea production in eastern Oregon.

The 31 grants, most in the $9,000 to $10,000 range, total $294,797. The foundation awarded them through its Venture Capital Program, which supports and encourages new ideas, said Dorothy Beaton, the Agricultural Research 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.

Additional examples of projects awarded grants:

  • Using Oregon agricultural wastes for supplying micronutrients to nursery crops.
  • Improving pollination of Oregon agricultural crops through manipulation of native bee fauna.
  • Assessment of the effectiveness of riparian restoration projects.

    A list of the 2005-06 grants is on the foundation's website at: http://agresearchfoundation.oregonstate.edu

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

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

    • Source: 

    Dorothy Beaton, 541-737-3228

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