The application window for the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) New Tree Planting Cycle Six and Existing Tree Therapies Round Three closed in November. Updates on the programs follow.
NEW TREE PLANTING
CRAFT received 227 New Tree Planting applications, including 13 solid set projects featuring plant material from the Program for Expedited Propagation, 50 traditional solid set projects and 164 reset applications. Almost 10,000 acres of new planting proposals will be considered by the CRAFT Technical Working Group (TWG) and CRAFT board of directors for funding in Cycle Six.
Carisa Keller, CRAFT scientific coordinator, and Tina Buice, assistant program manager, are working to organize the applications and begin the review process. In the coming weeks, applicants will meet via Zoom with Keller and, if needed, a representative from the TWG to discuss proposed projects and develop experimental designs. Once applicants and the CRAFT team have created a mutually agreeable design, it will be presented to the full TWG for consideration. Then, the application will either be recommended to the CRAFT board of directors for approval or moved to the wait list. This process can take time, especially with more than 200 applications.
EXISTING TREE THERAPIES
CRAFT received 662 Existing Tree Therapies Round Three applications covering 47,000 acres for inclusion in the program. The application demand exceeds the funding available for this round.
CRAFT staff is completing the application review and selection process. Applicants selected for funding will receive their contracts in December through the U.S. Postal Service for execution and return to CRAFT. Included in the package that participants will receive is a cover letter with instructions regarding next steps and payment processes. Participants are urged to read that letter carefully before signing and returning agreements.
Questions regarding the New Tree Planting and Existing Tree Therapies programs may be addressed to Steven Hall, CRAFT executive director and program director. Contact Hall at steven@craftfdn.org or 863-333-2931.
Source: Florida Citrus Mutual
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