PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 1, 2024) – Ram Ray, Ph.D., P.E., has been awarded $53,566 in grant funding by the USDA National Institute of Food Agriculture through Texas A&M AgriLife.

Ray is a Professor in the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University. He pursues innovative research in the Natural Resources and Environmental Systems of the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center.

Project Type: Integrated Project (Tier-1), involving collaboration across multiple states and institutions.

This project aims to:

  1. Foster the development and enhancement of organic farming techniques, with a focus on production, breeding, and processing methods (25% effort).
  2. Assess the potential economic advantages of organic agriculture for producers, processors, and rural communities (10% effort).
  3. Identify key marketing and policy obstacles hindering the growth of organic agriculture (10% effort).
  4. Conduct advanced on-farm research and development, prioritizing practical experimentation and innovation tailored to organic farms. This includes investigations into production, marketing, food safety, socioeconomic factors, and farm management (30% effort).
  5. Explore strategies for achieving optimal conservation, soil health, and environmental outcomes within organically produced agricultural systems (15% effort).
  6. Develop new and improved seed varieties specifically tailored for organic farming practices (10% effort).

This comprehensive initiative seeks to promote sustainable organic cotton production by addressing various aspects of research, outreach, and policy to support the growth and viability of organic agriculture in the United States.

By Joe McGinty