HARRY R. HUGHES CENTER FOR AGRO-ECOLOGY, INC.

2008-2009 REQUEST FOR PRE-PROPOSALS

ISSUED JANUARY 7, 2008

The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) that receives money from the U. S. Department of Agriculture to fund research projects that address the vision/core concept of the Center. That Vision is to promote economically viable and environmentally sound agriculture and forestry as Maryland’s preferred land use.

Since 2006, the Center has been involved with the development of two strategic plans. They are: A Statewide Plan for Agricultural Policy and Resource Management and Maryland’s Strategic Forest Resource Plan 2006-Ensuring a Sustainable Forest Future. These plans are important because they provide the framework for change in Maryland in order to keep agriculture and forestry viable. In addition to the two plans, the Center has also participated in the development and review of the Chesapeake Bay Commission’s September 2007 report entitled: Biofuels and the Bay: Getting it Right to Benefit Farms, Forests and the Chesapeake, the findings of which are of significance to the working lands of Maryland as well as to the health of the Bay.

In order for the Pre-proposals to be considered, they must address one of the three areas noted below and be submitted via-email to the Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc. by 5:00 p.m. on February 8, 2008. The research proposed should be new and designed to enhance the knowledge base in the area selected. The agricultural and forestry strategic plans, the report on biofuels from the Bay Commission, and previously funded research by the Center may be found on the Center’s website at www.agroecol.umd.edu.

Subject to availability, the Center anticipates devoting a total of $500,000.00 in new money to support one- to three-year duration projects. Funded projects in 2006-2007 ranged from $31,000 to $168,000 over the three year term of the grant, but projects of all sizes and time frames up to three years will be considered. Applicants from the public and private sectors are encouraged to apply and all projects would initiate by August – September 2009 pending availability of funds.

The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology seeks proposals for research projects that will complement the recommendations in both the agriculture and forestry strategic plans, and the conclusions and solutions in the Bay Commission Report, as well as the Vision of the Center. The following areas are proposed:

1)  Sustaining agriculture and forestry in Maryland by supporting the Maryland strategic plans for both. Examples might include:

a)  researching and developing ways to improve integration between forestry and agriculture;

b)  assessing the various components of profitability e.g.,marketability, business development assistance, reducing costs of production, regulations, tax policies and developing ways to economically strengthen agriculture and/or forestry and to address improvement to the environment;

c)  developing ways to track economic activity in Maryland’s primary and secondary forest products industries to enhance better forest management for economic as well as environmental purposes;

d)  investigating which agricultural products and/or wood products produced in Maryland have the potential to supply green industries with materials or enhance bio-energy or bio-fuel development and what the potential would be. Specific suggestions might include research and experimentation with cellulosic feedstocks (corn stover, fast growing trees, forestry slash) and perennial grasses such as switchgrass and phragmites..Other niche markets may also be identified for agricultural and/or wood products such as for the agriceutical and nutriceutical industries.

2)  Identifying and developing integrated programs using land use tools as well as policies that address land use issues more effectively in order to retain Maryland’s working lands Examples might include:

a)  identifying mechanisms (e.g., transfer of development rights, purchase of development rights, zoning, private sector programs, unique land use tools, economic incentives, regulations or laws such as right to farm) and recommending ways to integrate them to minimize threats to agricultural and forest land from future growth and stabilize the land base;

b)  researching ways to keep farmers farming including an assessment of the changing trends in ownership and ways to encourage, transition and retain young farmers in the business;

c)  assessing water supply availability, how to handle conflicts over use between development, agriculture and others; identifying technologies important to addressing the conflicts, and changes that need to be made to sustain the resource as an essential component for environmental diversity and economic sustainability;

3)  Ensuring environmental improvements in agriculture and forestry by developing sustainability indicators and new practices. Examples may include:

a)  researching new opportunities and technologies for use of excess poultry manure on the Delmarva Peninsula and what factors would make these new technologies economically feasible and environmentally viable. Forested areas could also be investigated for this purpose.

b)  developing tools and indicators to assess the value of forestland at the watershed scale to make sure that current management practices support the environmental as well as economic value of the resource. The assessment should recognize that contiguous forestland is held privately as well as publicly and should include the design of a program or programs that involve both sectors in order to comprehensively manage the resource at the watershed level.

c)  researching and modeling several types of agricultural operations and/or forestry practices and comparing those land uses to different intensities and types of development to ascertain the differences in contribution to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. The purpose is to be able to identify the extent of the problem and to suggest improvements or practices that could reduce the impact.

Proposal Submission and Project Completion Time Deadlines

Two-page pre-proposals must be electronically submitted in Word format by 5:00 p.m. on February 8, 2008 to . Pre-proposals will not be considered after that date and time and will be returned. The Center will review all pre-proposals and investigators requested to provide full proposals will be notified by mid March 2008. Full proposals will be due electronically in Word format by 5 p.m., May 1, 2008, with funding decisions made by the Center Board of Directors at their May 12, 2008 meeting. Projects will commence around the August-September 2009 time frame, dependent upon fund availability. All pre-proposals will be kept confidential.

Although all qualified proposals will be considered, the Center encourages proposals that identify a significant level of matching or in-kind funds that complement Center support of a project.

The Center requires that Pre-proposals submitted by State agencies provide a match (in cash or in-kind) that is equal to the amount being requested from the Center. The Center also encourages proposals that are multi-disciplinary in nature. Projects may be for any duration up to three years. Questions may be directed to Dr. Russell Brinsfield or Dr. Sarah Taylor-Rogers at (410) 827-6202. Pre-proposals exceeding 2 single-spaced pages or omitting necessary information will not be accepted or reviewed.

Pre-proposal reviewers will be looking at the following criteria: 1) how well the pre-proposal meets the vision/core concept, mission and goals of the Center, 2) whether the knowledge base is enhanced in the agricultural, forestry, natural resource or policy arenas by this research, 3) scientific merit, 4) the project’s methods and design, 5) whether a realistic, effective and achievable public education/awareness/outreach component has been included, 6) whether the investigators are qualified to perform the work, 7) whether the facilities are adequate for the work, 8) whether the budget is feasible for the work to be performed and the time frame is achievable for what is being proposed, and 9) whether the knowledge gleaned from the project will be significant and beneficial to the working lands of Maryland and address components in the strategic plans as previously noted.

January 7, 2008 Issuing of the Request for Pre-proposals

February 8, 2008 (5:00 p.m.) Pre-proposals submitted to the Center

Mid-March 2008 Evaluation of Pre-proposals Completed

Mid-March 2008 or close thereto Investigators notified of decision on Pre-proposal

& whether to submit Full Proposal

May 1, 2008 (5:00 p.m.) Full proposal submitted to Center

May 8, 2008 Evaluation of Full Proposals Completed for
Recommendation to the Board of Directors
May 12, 2008 Board Meeting with Presentations by

Investigators whose Full Proposals have been

Selected for presentation

May 31, 2008 Investigators Notified of Board Decision

August/September 2009 Funding available for projects

Pre-proposal Format

Two-page maximum, single-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins

  1. Cover page. Include Proposal Title; names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of all participants with Principal Investigator(s) clearly identified; Topic Area

of focus (1-3); date of submittal; and key words to identify what the pre-proposal is about.

(Cover page does not count against page limit).

  1. Clear statement of hypotheses and objectives (one quarter page suggested).
  1. A brief literature review (one half page suggested).
  1. Summary of Materials and Methods, a tentative timeline, and anticipated timing of accomplishments (one and one-quarter pages suggested).
  1. Budget. (Please see attached template for required format.) Include base salaries and fringe benefits, and details regarding equipment, travel, supplies, etc., for each year of the proposed project. The source and allocation of any matching funds should be identified. (Budget information does not count against page limit).
  1. Curriculum Vitae. A one- or two-page CV should be included for each Principal Investigator and does not count against the page limit.

**IMPORTANT NOTES**

The Center will withhold ten (10) percent of total project award pending submission of a satisfactory final report.

Pre-proposals submitted by State agencies must provide a match (in cash or in-kind) that is equal to the amount being requested from the Center.

THE CENTER DOES NOT FUND:

overhead (indirect) costs tuition reimbursement

professional travel equipment for one-year projects (The Center does retain the right to require that major equipment be returned to the Center upon project completion).


Required Budget Format (please copy form and use one for each year of project duration. If project duration is greater than 1 year, include separate form for cumulative budget):

Budget Item and Description

/

MCAE requested amount

/

Match, if applicable

/

Total Project Amount

Salaries
Fringe Benefits

Subtotal Salaries and Benefits

Detailed Description of Equipment, Materials, and Supplies

Subtotal Equipment, Materials, and Supplies

Detailed Description of Travel Expenses

Subtotal Travel

Other

Subtotal Other

TOTAL:

2