|
|
|
Farmers , ranchers: Apply for SARE Producer Grants by Nov. 15Arkansas Farmers interested in non-typical funding to help their bottom lines should check out Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education Producer Grants, says Dr. Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Producer Grants are one of SARE's various grant programs designed to increase knowledge about practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible. Any farmer or rancher or farmer/rancher organization is eligible for Producer Grants ranging from $500 to $15,000, says Dr. English. The proposal submission deadline for 2008 projects is Nov. 15. Producers must complete a proposal describing their project and explaining how it will help other producers understand and adopt sustainable agriculture practices. Projects may be funded for up to two years for a project maximum of $10,000 per individual or $15,000 for a producer organization. Producer grant funds can be used for the following: --Costs of sampling and sample analysis; --Materials and supplies needed for a project; --Outreach expenses such as a field day; --Travel (maximum of 44 cents/mile) for the project; --Hired labor for labor that farmers cannot do; --Labor of farmers for project activities above normal farming duties; --Refreshments at field days. All instructions, guidelines, program goals and criteria for a grant proposal are in the Producer Grant Program 2008 Call for Proposals document on the web at www.southernsare.uga.edu/currentcalls/producers.doc. Proposals must be submitted online on the SSARE Producer Grant Online Proposal Submission website. "But, farmers or ranchers without Internet access can have their Extension associate, county agent, NRCS representative or anyone of their choosing submit their proposal," says Dr. English. Links from the SARE site take producers to an Index of the 2007 Active Producer Projects. "Some of the 43 projects are similar to ongoing Arkansas projects," says Dr. English, "but few Arkansas farmers apply for the grant." Projects range from small scale rabbit production and marketing in Alabama ($10,000) to sustainable low-cost heating for season-extension structures to networking sheep and goat producers. In the row crop area, a cotton farmer received a grant to set aside strips of native vegetation for habitat for beneficial insects in one of his cotton fields. The net income on the experimental field was the same as on other fields because of the money saved by not spraying, says Dr. English. Sustainable agriculture is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as an agriculture system that: --Achieves the integration of natural biological cycles and controls; --Promotes and renews soil fertility and the natural resource base; --Optimizes the management and use of on-farm resources; --Reduces the use of nonrenewable resources and purchase production inputs; --Minimizes adverse impacts on health, safety, wildlife, water quality and the environment; --Provides adequate and dependable farm income; --Promotes opportunity in family farming and farm communities. Producers interested in a SARE grant should begin at the SARE web site www.sare.org/grants and follow the links for information on proposal requirements, what grants cover, proposal focus areas, and tips on writing and preparing a proposal. Farmers without Internet access or those seeking more information can contact their area Extension associate, a county Extension agent or a Natural Resources Conservation Service representative. None\0-Date: 10/4/07 Advertisement
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2009. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot Inside Futures |
