Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program (ASAFS)

The AFRP is an integrated research and extension program that supports technology transfer to improve overall agricultural productivity, profitability, and conservation of natural resources through conventional and organic alfalfa seed and forage production systems. AFRP encourages applicants to establish interdisciplinary and multi-location regional research and extension networks to address national priorities or regional science needs of the U.S. alfalfa industry. By bringing together expertise across multiple university, federal agency, and industry organizations and states, AFRP projects seek to enhance the effectiveness of limited state, federal, and industry resources and so produce greater long-lasting impacts.

In FY 2023 AFRP will support the development of improved alfalfa seed and forage production systems, practices, and supporting technologies. NIFA is soliciting applications for FY 2023 under the following areas:

1. Increasing alfalfa forage and seed yields and forage quality through improved management practices, plant breeding, and other strategies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses and costs of production.
2. Improving alfalfa forage and seed harvest and storage systems, including automation that reduces labor costs, to optimize economic returns to alfalfa producers as well as end-users including milk producers.
3. Developing methods to estimate alfalfa forage yield and quality to support marketing as a livestock feed and instruments to reduce producer risks.
4. Exploring new uses for alfalfa such as in fish feeds, nutritive supplements, alternative protein sources for human consumption, high-value chemical manufacturing, or other novel uses.
5. Developing improved insect, disease and weed management strategies, including spotted aphid in alfalfa seed production and potential herbicide carry-over issues.
6. Documenting the contribution of alfalfa production systems to climate-smart agriculture, including the sequestration of carbon.

Regional and National Coordination: AFRP projects must integrate both research and extension objectives. NIFA requires regional coordination and encourages national coordination of AFRP projects. For projects with the goal of regional coordination, at least two states from the same region must have significant involvement in the project. For projects with the goal of national coordination, states from at least two regions must have significant involvement in the project and at least two states from each participating region must be involved.

Regional balance and the involvement of new investigators may be taken into consideration during the development of funding recommendations.

1. Eastern Region: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
2. Central Region: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
3. Western Region: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Estimated Total Program Funding: