Science Policy Report

Address all comments to the Science Policy Office at:
sciencepolicy@sciencesocieties.org

28 October 2020

In This Issue:

Policy News

~ Science Policy at the ASA, CSSA, SSSA Virtual Annual Meeting
~ Fifth National Climate Assessment call for author nominations & technical inputs
~ Requesting Future Topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator
~ Wisconsin: Trump’s approach to China stings a G.O.P. county known for ginseng.
~ SoAR releases report on global priorities for plant research

Science and Society News

~ ASA, CSSA, SSSA Announce Outstanding Paper Awards and Expand Awards Program in 2020
~ 2020 ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting is Virtual | 2500+ Presentations | Members $ave on Meeting Registration
~ No soils, no life
~ Perfecting the Taste of Tennessee Whiskey Through Science
~ The 2020 ASA, CSSA, SSSA Photo Contest -What Inspires You? Deadline is October 31
~ Save 20% on Job Postings | Reach qualified applicants with ASA, CSSA, SSSA!
~ Can a genetically modified bug combat a global farm plague?

International Corner

~ Europe moves to protect nature, but faces criticism over subsidizing farms
~ Rewilding farmland can protect biodiversity and sequester carbon, new study finds
~ World Food Day: Post-pandemic food security and resilience in Bangladesh

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

~ Department of Energy Virtual Career Fair
~ Department of Energy Announces Early Career Research Program for FY 2021
~ FACT’s 2020 Fund-A-Farmer Grants
~ Northeast AgEnhancement Grants
~ Montana Growth Through Agriculture Grant Program
~ Temper of the Times Foundation Grant
~ Western SARE Sabbatical Research and Education Grants
~ Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) Program
~ 2021 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity
~ Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program
~ Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program
~ Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) & Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment (AGFEI)
~ Farm Business Management and Benchmarking (FBMB) Competitive Grants Program
~ Pennsylvania Small Business Advantage Grant

Policy News

(TOP) ~ Science Policy at the ASA, CSSA, SSSA Virtual Annual Meeting

The Science Policy Office is hosting several events at the ASA, CSSA, SSSA Virtual Annual Meeting, November 9-13. All meeting attendees are invited to two LIVE sessions hosted by the Science Policy Office. At the Science Policy Luncheon attendees get an introduction to science policy and insight into why it’s critical for scientists to engage in advocacy. Luncheon attendees are entered in a drawing for a $20 meal voucher (sponsored by Bayer Crop Science). At the Advocacy 102: Putting Your Advocacy Skills to Work, attendees will receive small group feedback on the most effective way to share your research with policymakers. Get the details about all the Science Policy events here.

(TOP) ~ Fifth National Climate Assessment call for author nominations & technical inputs

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is pleased to announce that the call for author nominations and technical inputs for the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) is now open. Prospective authors nominated through this process may be invited to serve as Chapter Lead Authors, Authors, or Technical Contributors to NCA5. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Requesting Future Topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator

The NSF Convergence Accelerator issued a Dear Colleague Letter (NSF-21-012): Request for Information (RFI) on Future Topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator program to capture national-scale societal impact ideas from the global community for fiscal year 2022. The RFI is the kickoff of the Convergence Accelerator’s ideation process. Selected ideas will be asked to submit a conference proposal to further develop the proposed idea and to gather insights into a final report to assist NSF in determining convergence research topics for 2022. Participants from academia, industry, government, non-profit, and other sectors are encouraged to submit their ideas here. Responses to the RFI are due by November 9, 2020. 

(TOP) ~ Wisconsin: Trump’s approach to China stings a G.O.P. county known for ginseng.

In China, ginseng is a popular gift prized for its healing powers, and surprisingly enough, Wisconsin-grown ginseng is considered the world’s best. In 2016, 590,000 pounds of the root, claimed to boost immunity and ease the effects of chemotherapy, was exported from the United States, most of it to China — with 98 percent coming from here in Marathon County. But Mr. Trump’s trade war with China, along with the coronavirus pandemic, which has stymied air travel between the countries, has caused ginseng prices to plunge to 1970s levels, far below today’s production costs. Many farms, some of them generations old, are rapidly failing, according to Joe Heil, a longtime grower in Edgar, Wis., and a 20-year member of the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. Read the full article.

(TOP) ~ SoAR releases report on global priorities for plant research

The SoAR Foundation is very pleased to release “Developing Global Priorities for Plant Research: Adapting Agriculture to Climate Variability.” With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and in collaboration with Virginia Tech, this report is the outcome of an international workshop with notable plant scientists who developed and prioritized global plant research directions, strategies for cooperation and collaboration, and potential funders for the coming decade. Read the press release or full report.

Science and Society News

(TOP) ~ ASA, CSSA, SSSA Announce Outstanding Paper Awards and Expand Awards Program in 2020

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA are proud to announce the expansion of the journal awards program. Each year, the societies and journals recognize an outstanding group of authors, editors, and peer reviewers and have added ten new awards this year! Visit our journal awards page for details and the list of this year’s recipients. Read the full story.

(TOP) ~ 2020 ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting is Virtual | 2500+ Presentations | Members $ave on Meeting Registration

Register Today! The 2020 ASA, CSSA, SSSA Virtual Annual Meeting will be held November 9-13. The Societies have invested in a virtual events platform that will help attendees navigate 2,500+ presentations, exhibitors and sponsors, and potential connections plus hundreds of live events! On-demand recordings are available through February 13. Questions about the 2020 Annual Meeting? Visit our FAQ page.

(TOP) ~ No soils, no life

We walk on soils, but often give little thought to what’s right under our feet. In fact, soils are the nation’s – and the world’s – breadbasket, providing food and a host of other necessities, including new medicines and materials. No soils, no life. Read the full article.

(TOP) ~ Perfecting the Taste of Tennessee Whiskey Through Science

By focusing on the science, not only are researchers peeling back the layers of mystery, but also allowing students to explore what creates the distinct taste found with Tennessee whiskey. Read the full article.

(TOP) ~ The 2020 ASA, CSSA, SSSA Photo Contest -What Inspires You? Deadline is October 31

Science isn't just found in journals or labs. Photography is a powerful way to tell the story behind our science. What inspires you in a farm landscape, in a wetland or forest, in a plant you’re studying or a soil you’ve just unearthed? Display your vision by entering the Photo Contest. Members submit your photos by October 31st. Winning photos in each category will receive prizes, and all submissions could be used for CSA News, Crops & Soils, websites, social media, and educational purposes. The themes for the photo contest are: ASA: Agronomy Feeds the World, CSSA: Plant Science for a Better World, SSSA: Soils Sustain Life, Tools at Work, People at Work. Deadline is October 31. Read more.

(TOP) ~ Save 20% on Job Postings | Reach qualified applicants with ASA, CSSA, SSSA!

The ASA, CSSA, SSSA Career Center is offering 20% savings on all job postings now through the Annual Meeting, where we will be promoting our Search Jobs link to attendees! Use promotional code: VIRTUALSAVE20. The Career Center promotes and encourages opportunities in the agronomic, crop, soil, and environmental sciences and serves as a clearinghouse for resumes and job listings. Employers and recruiters will find the most qualified talent pool with relevant work experience to fulfill their staffing needs. Visit our careers page to browse and post positions. Support your sciences and reach qualified applicants!

(TOP) ~ Can a genetically modified bug combat a global farm plague?

A British biotech firm that developed a genetically modified mosquito to fight dengue fever and other blood-borne diseases in Florida and Texas now has introduced a self-destructing GM caterpillar. Their aim is to stop a pest that is devastating corn and rice crops across the globe. Executives from the US-owned, but UK-based, firm Oxitec and its multinational partner Bayer announced today that they have developed a fall armyworm that has a self-limiting gene introduced into the male of the species. Read the full article.

International Corner

(TOP) ~ Europe moves to protect nature, but faces criticism over subsidizing farms

The European Union’s Environment Council on Friday endorsed the proposal by the president of the European Union to create protected areas for 30 percent of the continent’s land and water by 2030, along with legally binding measures to tighten forest protections. But Europe’s governing body also was criticized by environmental and climate activists for not curbing agricultural subsidies that drive pollution. Read the full article.

(TOP) ~ Rewilding farmland can protect biodiversity and sequester carbon, new study finds

Restoring ecosystems on just 15 percent of the world’s current farmland could spare 60 percent of the species expected to go extinct while simultaneously sequestering 299 gigatonnes of CO2 — nearly a third of the total atmospheric carbon increase since the Industrial Revolution, a new study has found. The paper shows that where nature is restored makes a big difference both to climate and wildlife. Read the full article.

(TOP) ~ World Food Day: Post-pandemic food security and resilience in Bangladesh

As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic lays waste to lives and livelihoods in countries around the globe, today’s celebration of the annual World Food Day reminds us not to lose sight of longer-term goals. In many developing countries, Bangladesh included, the economic shock of the pandemic is expected to have severe impacts on food security. The World Food Programme has called for an additional $4.9 billion for food assistance, without which it says 30 million people may die in the poorest nations around the world. Read the full article.

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

(TOP) ~ Department of Energy Virtual Career Fair

Are you an undergraduate or recent graduate in science, technology, engineering or math looking for an opportunity at a one-of-a-kind National Laboratory? The next step in your search is just a click away! Join us from 11 am-3 pm ET Thursday, October 29, for the Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) Virtual Career Fair and discover opportunities to participate in the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program and the Community College Internships (CCI) program at several participating labs/facilities! Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Department of Energy Announces Early Career Research Program for FY 2021

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is accepting proposals for the Fiscal Year 2021 DOE Office of Science Early Career Research Program to support the research of outstanding scientists early in their careers. The Program will support over 50 early career researchers for five years at U.S. academic institutions and DOE national laboratories. To be eligible for the competition, a researcher must be an untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professor at a U.S. academic institution or a full-time employee at a DOE national laboratory. The applicant must also have received a Ph.D. within the past ten years. University awards average around $750,000 for five years. Early career researchers may apply to one of eight Office of Science program offices: Advanced Scientific Computing Research; Biological and Environmental Research; Basic Energy Sciences; Fusion Energy Sciences; High Energy Physics; Nuclear Physics; Accelerator R&D and Production; and Isotope R&D and Production. Proposed research topics must fall within the programmatic priorities of DOE’s Office of Science, which are provided in the program announcements. Funding will be competitively awarded on the basis of peer review. Pre-applications are mandatory and are due on Monday, November 20. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ FACT’s 2020 Fund-A-Farmer Grants

Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) awards competitive grants up to $2,500 to working, independent family farmers located in the United States who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys. Grants are offered for farmers who are pursuing animal welfare certification, for welfare-certified farmers, and for farmers to improve or expand pasture for their animals. FACT will fund the following: Grants for farmers who are pursuing animal welfare certification: These grants support farms that are pursuing one of three animal welfare certifications: Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) and affiliated certifications by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Humane (CH), or Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Animal Welfare Certified (steps 4 to 5+). Proposed projects do not necessarily have to address a particular standard required for certification. These grants will be made for on-farm projects that help improve animal welfare. Grants for welfare-certified farmers: These grants are for projects that would help farms that already hold one of the certifications above to build capacity or maintain certification. These grants can be for on-farm production-related projects, or for other projects related to the marketing, sales, and distribution of welfare-certified products. Grants for farmers to improve or expand pasture for their animals: FACT will fund projects that would help farms transition to pasture-based systems, expand animals’ access to well-managed pasture, and improve the quality of pasture for animals. Farmers do not need to hold or be seeking certification. Farms and projects that fit into more than one category may select multiple types on the application form. Funding for grants made to farmers who are seeking certification or who already hold certification has been underwritten by generous support from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Deadline: December 1. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Northeast AgEnhancement Grants

Each year, Northeast agricultural credit associations and CoBank award grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to help organizations promote awareness and strengthen agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products in the six New England states, New York and New Jersey. Since its inception in 1996, the Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program has awarded more than two million dollars in grants to organizations across the Northeast. Learn more about the projects we support and what some of the recipients say about the AgEnhancement Grants. Eligible programs that promote and strengthen the agriculture, forest products or commercial fishing industries in any of the following ways are eligible: Development of young and beginning farmers; Encourage leadership; Develop a greater understanding of agriculture; Recognize the accomplishments of ag leaders; Study the economic viability of agriculture; Promote interest in the industry; Impact the Northeast (statewide and regional projects also eligible). Deadline: December 1. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Montana Growth Through Agriculture Grant Program

The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering. Projects should primarily add value to Montana's agricultural products, have prospects for achieving commercial success given the current personnel, experience and resources of the applicant, and have the possibility to create and/or retain jobs in Montana. A 1:1 match is required. Maximum funding is $150,000, made up of a maximum of $50,000 in the form of grant funding and up to $100,000 in the form of loan funding. Deadline: December 7. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Temper of the Times Foundation Grant

Temper of the Times Foundation promotes the use of standard marketing concepts to increase awareness about wildland ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives. Recognizing that organizations working to protect the environment often have limited access to paid media, the Foundation provides funds to underwrite advertising designed to promote the conservation and restoration of native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems in the United States. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 may be used to fund the production of print, radio, or television ads; to pay for advertising space or airtime; or to produce or distribute pamphlets, books, videos, or press packets. Deadline: December 15. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Western SARE Sabbatical Research and Education Grants

Western SARE Sabbatical Grants provide an opportunity for faculty around the world to partner with farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, and researchers of the Western U.S. region for conducting research, education, and Extension activities. Projects focused on unexplored topics in underserved communities and understudied geographic locations are of special interest. Grants cannot exceed $75,000 over the entire budget period, are limited to one year, and cannot be renewed or extended. Deadline: January 11, 2021. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) Program

SULI encourages undergraduate students and recent graduates to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research experiences at the Department of  Energy (DOE) laboratories. Selected students participate as summer interns appointed at one of 17 participating DOE laboratories/facilities. They perform research, under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers, on projects supporting the DOE mission. Deadline: January 12, 2021. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ 2021 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) requests proposals for projects that will substantially expand and accelerate wood products and wood energy markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands. The grants and agreements awarded under this announcement will support the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334), Rural Revitalization Technologies (7 U.S.C. 6601), and the nationwide challenge of disposing of hazardous fuels and other wood residues from the National Forest System and other U.S. forest lands in a manner that supports wood products and wood energy markets. This Request for Proposals focuses on the Wood Innovations program goals: 1. Reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on National Forest System and other forest lands. 2. Reduce the costs of forest management on all land types. 3. Promote economic and environmental health of communities. Deadline: January 20, 2021. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program

Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) supports research, education/teaching, and extension projects that increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This program addresses educational needs within broadly defined areas of food and agricultural sciences. Applications recommended for funding must highlight and emphasize the development of a competent and qualified workforce in the food and agricultural sciences. WAMS-funded projects improve the economic health and viability of rural communities by developing research and extension initiatives that focus on new and emerging employment opportunities in STEM occupations. Deadline: January 21, 2021. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program

The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program seeks to: (a) promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the food and agriculture sciences in order to help ensure the existence of a workforce in the United States that's qualified to serve the food and agriculture sciences system; and (b) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agriculture sciences in order to advance excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agriculture sciences. Deadline: February 4, 2021. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) & Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment (AGFEI)

The purpose of these programs is to promote and strengthen the ability of eligible institutions in the Insular Areas to carry out education within the food, agricultural and natural resource sciences. RIIA projects strengthen institutional educational capacities, including libraries, curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, in order to respond to education needs in the food and agricultural sciences. AGFEI projects support activities to acquire or renovate facilities and relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research to support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, including pest and disease research. These programs are intended to broaden the undergraduate student experience by integrating opportunities to participate in research, education, and extension and to enhance collaborations with community colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, 1890 and 1994 land-grant institutions, and non-land grant college and universities of agriculture. Deadline: February 18, 2021. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Farm Business Management and Benchmarking (FBMB) Competitive Grants Program

Applications may be submitted by numerous entities. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(7), eligible applicant means: 1. State agricultural experiment station; 2. College and universities; 3. University research foundation; 4. Other research institutions and organizations; 5. Federal agencies; 6. National laboratories; 7. Private organizations or corporations; 8. Individuals; or 9. Any group consisting of two (2) or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (H). Deadline: April 8. Read the full announcement.

(TOP) ~ Pennsylvania Small Business Advantage Grant

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has grant funding for energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects for small business owners and farmers available through the Small Business Advantage Grant program. Pennsylvania farmers and other small business owners with 100 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for the grants. Projects must save the business a minimum of $500 and 25 percent annually in energy consumption or pollution related expenses. Natural resource protection projects are exempt from the minimums; however, the projects must be able to quantify sediment and nutrient reductions into nearby waterways. Businesses can apply for 50% matching funds for equipment or materials, up to $7,000, when adopting energy-efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be accepted until fiscal year 2020-21 funds are exhausted, or April 12, 2021, whichever occurs first. Deadline: April 12, 2021. Read the full announcement.

Sources: New York Times, Wired.com, Ag Web Daily, Cornell Alliance for Science,

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.