Workshops Help Farmes Apply for Sustainable Agriculture Grants

Four workshops are available to help Missouri farmers and ranchers submit grant proposals to explore sustainable agriculture solutions to problems.

Grants through the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program provide funding for producers who want to test an idea using a field trial, on-farm demonstration or other technique.

“Projects should show how farmers and ranchers plan to use their own innovative ideas to explore sustainable agriculture options and how they will share project results with other producers,” said Debi Kelly, University of Missouri Extension SARE co-coordinator. “Sustainable agriculture is good for the environment, profitable and socially responsible.”

The workshops, which will take place in Hillsboro, Tuscumbia, Kansas City and Mt. Vernon, will help participants define the purpose of the grant, discuss the component pieces, offer tips on filling out the grant application and allow time for brainstorming.

Projects should emphasize research or education demonstrations. Grants range from $6,000 for individual farmers to $18,000 for groups of three or more farmers. SARE expects to fund about 50 projects in the 12-state North Central Region.

Workshop dates and places are as follows:

-Oct. 5: Jefferson County MU Extension Center, Hillsboro. Call 636-797-5391.

-Oct. 6: Miller County MU Extension Center, Tuscumbia. Call 573-882-0085.

-Oct. 9: Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Urban Impact Center, Kansas City. Call 816-809-5074.

-Oct. 12: MU Southwest Research Center, Mt. Vernon. Call 417-466-2148.

Cost of the workshops is $25, which covers materials and lunch.  More information about applying for SARE Farmer/Rancher Grants is available at online.  Deadline for submitting grant proposals is 4:30 p.m., Dec. 2 at the NCR-SARE office in Jefferson City.

For more information, contact Debi Kelly at kellyd@missouri.edu or 573-882-1905.