Project Grant 20235130040913

The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. was awarded a $3,214,975 Project Grant by the Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (CFDA 10.307) program. The objective of this 4-year grant is to improve the quality, resilience, soil health, and food safety of organic onion production in the southeastern and southwestern United States. The project, titled "ONION-IQ (IMPROVE QUALITY): Improving Quality, Resilience, Soil Health and Food Safety in Organic Onion in the Southeastern and Southwestern U.S.," will be conducted in collaboration with sub-awardees Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service and Oregon State University. The key approach is to optimize organic nitrogen fertilization and integrate bio-fumigation and soil solarization to manage soil-borne bacterial diseases, improve soil health and fertility, and enhance food safety. The project aims to develop integrated management strategies, research-based tools, and economic assessments to benefit organic onion growers in these regions.