KARTA Research

Purpose

The primary goal of the KARTA research grant initiative is to stimulate on-farm research efforts by KARTA members. As such, the focus of this program is to foster an understanding of plot layout & design, data collection and handling, analyses, presentation, and most importantly; making connections to those folks that can assist a producer in these efforts.

The end-goals for this project are 1) for producers to have the skills and connections to conduct scientifically valid on-farm research to support their internal decision making and, 2) be able to better evaluate the large volume of “research” that comes across our desks from Industry and Academia alike.

Who can apply for a KARTA Research Project?

Paid in full members of KARTA

Find the Application Form here and submission requirements - Due February 11, 2013

What Awards are available?

Beginning in 2013, there will be four tiers of support available

1. A new Individual Study: $550
2. A new Producer led Group Study: $550/per group participant
3. A continuation Study (individual or group): $450
• After a primary study, up to two years of continuation work can be awarded
4. A new University led Group Study (cooperative work): $350/per group participant
• Continuation studies for this class will be evaluated at the time of application

What is expected for awarded projects?

1. The awardee will conduct the study to the best of their abilities. If assistance is required for certain aspects, the awardee will seek out (or request help from) KARTA to find individuals that might assist.
2. The study will be accomplished in the year it was awarded (see below for exceptions to this rule).
3. A PowerPoint presentation will be prepared and presented at the Annual KARTA event. This presentation will then be made available in our e-proceedings

Special Situations

Many things often wreck on-farm research efforts, including but not limited to, extreme weather, equipment/labor problems, data/software problems, and other extraneous events. As such, if a project is not completed satisfactorily (to the producer) in the award year, then there are three options:

1. The project can be rolled forward into the next year (we would prefer that projects not be rolled more than three years, but exceptions can be made).
2. The methodology/results from an accomplished non-funded study can be used as a substitute for the failed project.
3. The money can be returned and the study simply cancelled (This is really a last resort, and KARTA will work extensively with a producer before this option is ever explored)