Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
| Abbreviation | FFAR |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2014 |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Website | foundationfar |
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) is a United States nonprofit organization established by Congress in the Agricultural Act of 2014 to fund agricultural research through public–private partnerships and matching federal and non-federal investments.[1][2][3]
History
FFAR was created as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill), which allocated an initial $200 million in federal funding to establish the foundation and required that funds be matched by non-federal contributions.[1][2] The creation of FFAR was described as a major component of the farm bill’s agricultural research provisions.[2] The foundation’s funding model was continued in subsequent legislation, including the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.[3]
Prior to its establishment, scientific societies and policy groups proposed the creation of a foundation to leverage public–private funding for agricultural research.[4] FFAR was intended to complement existing U.S. Department of Agriculture research programs by supporting collaborative and innovative research initiatives.[5]
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 reauthorized FFAR and provided an additional $185 million in federal funding, while expanding requirements for transparency, stakeholder engagement, and long-term strategic planning, and clarifying its authority to raise matching funds from non-federal sources.[6]
Sally Rockey, a former Deputy Director for Extramural Research at the National Institutes of Health, was appointed as the inaugural executive director of FFAR in 2015.[7] In 2022, Saharah Moon Chapotin was appointed executive director of FFAR, succeeding Sally Rockey.[8]
Mission and activities
FFAR supports research aimed at improving agricultural productivity, sustainability, and food security.[3] Its mission includes advancing scientific innovation through partnerships among government agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.[4]
Research funded by FFAR spans multiple priority areas, including:[3][5]
- soil health and sustainable water management
- crop improvement and next-generation crops
- animal health and production systems
- food safety, nutrition, and human health
- agricultural technology and innovation
The foundation also invests in workforce development through fellowships, grants, and early-career awards for scientists in food and agriculture.[3]
FFAR-funded projects have addressed a range of agricultural challenges, including improving crop productivity, enhancing soil health, advancing animal systems, and developing sustainable agricultural practices.[3] The foundation has also supported research into photosynthetic efficiency, ecosystem services, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.[5]
Funding model
FFAR operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and uses a matching-funds model in which federal funds are paired with private-sector or non-federal contributions.[4] This model is intended to increase the overall investment in agricultural research and encourage collaboration across sectors.[3]
By leveraging public and private funding, FFAR supports large-scale collaborative research initiatives designed to address national and global challenges in agriculture and food systems.[4]
See also
Citations
- 1 2 "Agricultural Act of 2014, Pub. L. 113–79" (PDF). Congress.gov. U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
- 1 2 3 Stokstad, Erik (2014-02-04). "An Ample Harvest for Agricultural Research in Farm Bill". Science. doi:10.1126/article.23608. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "R&D Policy Explainer: The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research". C3 Solutions. Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
- 1 2 3 4 "Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR): Investing in the Future of Agricultural Research" (PDF). Crop Science Society of America. Crop Science Society of America. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
- 1 2 3 "USDA Secretary Announces Creation of Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research". United States Department of Agriculture. 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
- ↑ "Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2; 115th Congress)" (PDF). Congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
- ↑ Reardon, Sara (2015-06-11). "NIH extramural-research chief resigns". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature.2015.17747. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
- ↑ "FFAR welcomes new executive director Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin". Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. Retrieved 2026-03-18.