Through this initiative, the Consortium seeks formal collaboration with individuals, organizations, and institutions on a range of agricultural and food law topics. To be considered, applicants must submit Letters of Interest for each proposed project by 5:00 EST on February 12, 2016. Letters of Interest may pertain to any topic related to agricultural and food law. However, priority consideration will be given to Letters of Interest that focus on the following topical areas:

• Agricultural finance, including creditors rights and agricultural bankruptcy;
• Agricultural employment, including foreign workers;
• Big data/drone issues;
• Food safety; and
• Environmental law.

Priority consideration will be given to Letters of Interest that incorporate the development of content for the eXtension Ag & Food Law Community of Practice, including collaboration of the Ag & Food Law CoP with other eXtension Communities of Practice. The Consortium disseminates information through a variety of outreach activities, including web-based resources, webinars, written work product, and/or in-person conferences. Examples of the type of projects that will receive priority consideration for the 2016 initiative include:
• Preparing PowerPoint slides and appropriate reference materials for a one-hour webinar to be included in the Consortium webinar series;
• Drafting white papers, fact sheets, and guidance documents on discrete legal topics, including practical information and suggestions useful to producers and attorneys;
• Drafting handbooks, manuals, or guides on relevant topics, including practical information and suggestions useful to producers and attorneys; and
• Organizing and hosting legal education programs for attorneys and non-attorneys.

The estimated range for individual project funding awards is $500 - $10,000. Funding levels will vary based on the needs of selected projects. The funding mechanism (i.e., honorarium, grant, cost reimbursement, or other appropriate method) that is implemented will be determined following selection of proposals based on all applicable university policies and the proposal design.