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Wine Institute Technical Committee Jean-Mari Peltier November 6, 2009 Napa, California. An outline for today. Re-structuring of the research function of USDA Implications for future federal research funding Review of NGWI structure & priorities Review of SCRI and new RFA
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Wine Institute Technical Committee Jean-Mari PeltierNovember 6, 2009Napa, California
An outline for today • Re-structuring of the research function of USDA • Implications for future federal research funding • Review of NGWI structure & priorities • Review of SCRI and new RFA • Journal of Nutrition • eXtension
Inevitably We Look to Washington… • What is the tone set by the new Administration? • Their research orientation • Implementation of Specialty Crop Provisions • CSREES Transition • New Chief Scientist • Climate Change Legislation
Goal: Double Competitive Research Funding • Climate change • Food Safety • Bio-Fuels • Nutrition (childhood obesity) • International food security
Creation of Four New “Institutes” • Biofuels, climate, and energy • Food safety and nutrition • Food production and sustainability • Youth and community development • And, a Center for International Programs.
National Grape and Wine Initiative Linking industry stakeholders and research providers Building critical mass and national research priorities WSU UCD CORNELL Texas A&M Penn State OSU Missouri Arkansas ARS
NGWI Quality Committee Projects • Viticultural Influence on Wine Quality • NGWI co-sponsored • 2009 Unified Symposium and WAWGG. • One-day aroma/quality workshops • Outreach educational experience for the industry. • Covered thinning, irrigation, pruning techniques • Working to assure ASEV will publish results
NGWI Quality Projects • Literature Review –Viticultural Practices & Quality • Dr. Andrew Waterhouse – Progress stalled – NGWI may supply small grant? • Clean Plant Network - An action plan for certified stock. Buy in from states and development of a regulatory framework. Regional and national standards. Grapes will get 55% of this year’s funding allocation!
Assessing the costs of Climate Change Proposals • Research project initiated by vegetable and melon interests • Expanded to other specialty crops • CTGC funded for grapes • NGWI worked with Intertox • Trouble with cost figures • Extrapolation of fertilizer and pesticide increases • Post-harvest impacts are likely higher
Assessing the health impacts of grapes & products • Grape Health Workshop in December 2008 • Publication in the pretigious “Journal of Nutrition” as a special supplement • NGWI follow on projects: • Epidemiology study • Human clinical trial on cognition
NGWI Sustainability Projects Winery Water and Energy Manual • Manual has been published and distributed to NGWI Board members • First workshop held in California • 60 requests for copies of the manual were received in the first two weeks after the availability of the manual was announced • NY and Washington State have all committee $ to host workshops in their area
Updating NGWI Research Priorities 1. Understanding and Improving Quality2. Consumer Insights, Nutrition and Community3. Processing and Production Efficiency4. Sustainable Practices5. Extension/Education
Specialty Crop Research Initiative • Not “business as usual” • Systems approach; integrated • Applications must be multi-state, multi-institutional, TRANSDISCIPLINARY • Social scientist engagement • Bewick “We’re trying to approximate the speed of business…” • Grapes didn’t fare well in 2008
The SCRI RFA Five Buckets • Plant breeding and genetics to improve crop characteristics • Identify and address threats from pests & diseases (also pollinators) • Improve crop production efficiency, productivity & marketing • Innovations and technology (mechanization or delayed ripening) • Food safety
Tom Bewick’s Presentation in January • Described problems with 2008 applications: • Came in after the due date • (Problems with Grants.gov) • Problems documenting the match • Didn’t include transdisciplinary approach
In 2008, NGWI Didn’t submit proposals • Submitted 4 core projects this year • Supported 6 other projects • Fine tuned the process • Leveraged over $800,000 of industry pledges this year
NGWI SCRI Grant Applications in 2009 • “Developing Sustainable Solutions Water Management in Irrigated Vineyards • “Vineyard Mechanization for Enhanced Economic Sustainability • “Development of a Grape Community of Practice for the eXtension System” • Climate Change Planning Grant
The Process • Administrative Review • 20 points STAKEHOLDER Driven Process • Peer review • 30% producers • 30% from previous year Final Agency Decisions based on panels
Challenges encountered • University commitment to participate in the process • Cooperation between research institutions can be thorny • Grant writers familiar with the process are hard to find • Specialty crops – every man for himself? • Still want close collaboration with ARS; is balance between competitive & formula funding right?
NGWI’s eXtension grant funded • Valuable communications tool • “Ask the expert” feature • Interactive training modules • Access via social networking sites, including Ask.com, Google and YouTube • Feedback feature: who it searching? Not just industry…
Key Issues • Define highest priority issues and outcomes • Move beyond focus of SCRI funding • Align priorities with regional/commodity funding bodies • Need for alignment with regional/commodity sources for matching funds • Simplify priorities and outcomes • Focus on a limited number of key issues • List strategy, desired outcome and industry benefit • Align theme committees on work product • Process • Charge • Time line
NGWI’s Structure • 6 Regional Representatives • 7 Species Representatives • 3 Standing Committee Representatives • At large Representatives
NGWI’s Theme Committees • Extension and Outreach • Understanding & Improving Quality • Production & Processing Efficiency • Sustainability • Consumer Insights, Nutrition & Community