We've noted elsewhere the essential need for quanitfication of the carbon balance effects of ag systems, and we've noted that now -- finally -- the nu-clear winter of the past eight years is past, research money is starting to flow to the areas where we need solid data to make some rational decisions about where our climate change abatement dollars are best spent. A good example is this relatively small grant program involving both USDA and EPA (two natural partners in my experience). This Request For Applications (RFA) "will support research on the ecosystem services in agricultural settings, including both agroecosystems and ecosystems that are impacted by agriculture, with the goal of quantifying these services, identifying risks due to different stressors, and developing strategies to reduce negative environmental impacts while enhancing ecosystem services provided by working lands." This is not the only RFA out there (we will try to publicize them whenever possible) and I think we can expect a broader range to emerge as both the stimulus bills and the broad environmental outlines of the current administration are unrolled (Hurrah!). I'll do my best to keep you aware of opportunities to use your talents to benefit the world the way I sense you want to (or why would you be reading this blog in the first place?).
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