MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Lionel “Bo” Beaulieu, director of the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University, is the first recipient of a special award presented at an annual conference hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s  Economic Research Service.

The USDA-ERS hosts the Food Assistance and Nutrition RIDGE Program Conference each fall. The Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics Program seeks to stimulate new and innovative research on food assistance and nutrition issues and to broaden the participation of social science scholars in these issues.

Beaulieu received the RIDGE Summit Award for “Outstanding Leadership and Contribution.” This recognition was given for the first time in the program’s history.

Beaulieu was recognized for his accomplishments during the past decade in the RIDGE Program to stimulate new and innovative research on food assistance issues; to broaden the network of researchers, including collaboration with researchers at historically black land-grant universities and colleges; and to provide economic-based studies that help inform food assistance and nutrition program administrators, policymakers and analysts.

Particularly noteworthy in 2007 was Beaulieu’s report, “Strengthening Our Nation’s Food Assistance Programs,” which highlights the RIDGE Program and its record of achievements.

RIDGE grants last for one year. Most range from $20,000 to $40,000.

The program, formerly known as the Small Grants Program, is funded by ERS and administered in partnership with five academic/research institutions. The five institutions oversee the application, peer review and grant award processes. Each institution covers a different aspect of food assistance, nutrition or a subgroup of recipients as its primary focus.