Clif Bar & Company, the largest private donor to organic research in the US, announced June 16 a second endowment to UW-Madison CALS to support organic outreach. Dr. Erin Silva, CIAS faculty associate, has been named as the first endowed chair funded by this gift. Silva co-founded and directs the university’s Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN), a comprehensive program to partner with new, transitioning, and experienced organic grain farmers. This $1m investment will be equally matched by the Morgridge Institute and allow for the creation and long-term support of a multi-state network of researchers to guide organic farmers in becoming successful suppliers of quality food-grade organic small grains and seeds.

For more information, see Clif Bar’s announcement at https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220616005229/en/Clif-Bar-Company-Announces-1-Million-Endowment-for-Organic-Agricultural-Research-with-University-of-Wisconsin-Madison