AMP Awards $86,988 to Support Agroecosystems Research and Learning
AMP launched several exciting new programs this winter and spring, many in response to suggestions from the AMP Executive Committee. In addition to our longstanding Stinner Summit projects and Warner Grants for Sustainable Agriculture, AMP also offered new competitive programs for graduate student research and for undergraduate internships. AMP has also created a faculty affiliate program and has offered conference registration fee awards to help undergraduate and graduate students attend in-state conferences over the past year.
Competitive programs are evaluated for application quality and qualifications specific to the program. All programs require alignment with AMP’s Mission and Vision Statement.
We are excited to share this year’s awardees.
Stinner Summit Projects
The three projects chosen for funding at last fall's 2024 Stinner Summit are underway! During Stinner Summits, attendees work in small groups to brainstorm projects that respond to agricultural and food system needs in the region.
- Creating Farmer-Led Cooperative Marketing Channels
- Engaging Youth in Agricultural Entrepreneurship
- "R U Ready?" Rural Urban Connections Tours
Read more in the 2024 Stinner Summit report.
Paul C. and Edna H. Warner Endowment Grants
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and AMP offer interdisciplinary grants to promote on-farm research in sustainable agriculture. Successful Warner grants much involve an Ohio State researcher (either from OSU Extension or an academic unit) and an Ohio farmer. These grants were established specifically for on-farm research in sustainable agriculture related to crop and animal production systems that are ultimately intended for human consumption. Warner Grants are made possible by the Paul C. and Edna H. Warner Endowment Fund.
Cost Benefit Analysis of On-Farm Mushroom Spawn Production
Erika Lyon and Kayla Wyse (OSUE), Janell Baran (Blue Owl Hollow Forest Farm, Newark), and Andy Gedeon (Soul Shine Acres, Athens)
Advancing Cucurbit Downy Mildew Management
Andres Sanabria-Velazquez and Francesca Rotondo, (OSU Plant Pathology) and Aaron Weaver (Green Field Farms, Wooster)
Managing Weeds and Reducing Herbicides with Warm Season Cover Crops in Strawberries
Logan Minter (OSU South Centers), Cameron Way (Way Farms, Waverly), Ryan Slaughter, Amanda Perkins, and Thom Harker
Fish By-Products Utilization: Toward Sustainable Aquaculture and Agriculture Venues
Herbert Quintero (OSUE) and Michael McGraw (Roothouse Aquaponics, Batavia)
Road Maintenance and its Impact on Local Agriculture
Julie Wayman (OSUE) and Jeff Hattey (OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources), and six anonymous local farms.
Read more about this year’s Warner Grants and past projects here.
Graduate Student Seed Grants
AMP has established a Graduate Student Research Seed Grant Program that is designed to empower and enable OSU graduate students to conduct research that builds the knowledge base required to accelerate transitions towards healthier and more equitable agroecosystems. This program provides up to $5,000 to cover expenses associated with individual or group OSU graduate student research projects that advance our understanding of agroecosystem management of farming and food systems.
Understanding Agroforestry Practitioners’ Motivations, Support Networks, and Pathways to Agriculture
Meghan Edwards, OSU School of Environment & Natural Resources
Assessing Grazing Impacts on Bird Communities to Inform Tools for Sustainable Ranch Management in Bolivia
Luz Natalia Mercado Callau, OSU School of Environment & Natural Resources
Drivers of Rotational Grazing in Ohio
Alex Rehbinder, OSU School of Environment & Natural Resources
Read more about this year’s projects here.
Agroecology Undergraduate Internships
The AMP Agroecology Internship Program is designed to empower and enable undergraduate students to get hands-on experiences, conduct research, and/or build networks and collaborations with farmers and food system actors working to build healthy, resilient, equitable, and just agroecosystems. These awards are targeted at students currently enrolled in Ohio’s two land grant universities – The Ohio State University and Central State University. Fall submission period ends September 15.
Does Cross-Habitat Spillover Support Landscape Scale Insect Diversity and Services
Submitted by Kayla Perry, OSU Entomology
Assessing Plant Biodiversity at Grace Drake Agricultural Land Laboratory
Submitted by Eugene Law, OSU Horticultural and Crop Science
Synergizing Grower Surveys and Molecular Tools to Understand Spotted Lanternfly in Ohio Specialty Crops
Submitted by Ashley Leach and Natalie Constancio, OSU Entomology
Read more about this year’s projects here.
Interested in supporting our student programs? You can support AMP’s mission with a contribution to our AMP Support Fund or contact AMP director Douglas Jackson-Smith or Cheryl Fischnich to direct your gift to a specific program.