For application materials, CONTACT:
Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, SARE
Utah State University
(801) 797-3537
Prepared by:
Kristen Kelleher, communications specialist
(916) 752-5987; kkelleher@ucdavis.edu
CALLS FOR PROPOSALS FOR WESTERN SARE GRANTS TO BE RELEASED IN JULY
Logan, UT -- Starting this year, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education, SARE, program will release calls for proposals for three of its
competitive grants efforts on July 23, 1996 -- significantly earlier than
in previous years.
The Western region's accelerated release date will allow applicants
more time to prepare proposals for grants in sustainable agriculture
research and education and professional development.
Funding sources for the grants are the Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education, SARE, program; the Agriculture in Concert with the
Environment, ACE, program; and the Professional Development Program -- all
of which are administered by Western Region SARE.
Grant Programs and Deadlines
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, SARE, grants are
for sustainable agriculture research. The SARE grants program continues to
target funding to whole-farm/ranch systems projects that increase
understanding and adoption of sustainable agriculture. Projects qualify as
whole-system research by addressing weak links or information gaps in a
system, or by assessing the multiple impacts of different components of
agricultural systems. *Proposals are due on October 29, 1996.*
Agriculture in Concert with the Environment, ACE grants are for
research on agricultural practices that minimize environmental effects and
hazards. The ACE program -- which is a joint venture of USDA and the U.S.
EPA -- is requesting proposals for research and education projects that
will lead to reduced environmental stress from agricultural practices.
Priority issues for ACE funding in the Western Region will likely include
irrigated agriculture; nutrient management; environmentally-sound multiple
land uses; and animal waste. *Proposals are due on October 29, 1996.*
Professional Development Program grants provide funding for efforts
to help Cooperative Extension Service, Natural Resource Conservation
Service and other professionals expand their knowledge of sustainable
agriculture and conduct educational programs and activities in this area.
Project subject matter can deal with any agricultural endeavor, and may
include material on the effects of sustainable practices on the quality of
life for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Projects can be designed
for agents working in production agriculture, 4H/youth development or other
areas. *The deadline for proposals is November 26, 1996.*
How to Apply
Call the Western SARE office at Utah State University at (801)
797-3537 to add your name/institution to the distribution list for Calls
for Proposals, or to request application materials after July 23, 1996.
* The regional call for research proposals from area producers or
producer groups is not set for release until November 5, 1996, with a due
date of January 14, 1997.* However, please feel free to contact the Western
SARE office to add your name to the specialized mailing list for western
farmers and ranchers.
About SARE
The national SARE effort, which was mandated by Congress in the
1990 and 1996 Farm Bills, is implemented by four regional councils. Western
SARE is coordinated by Utah State University soil scientist V. Philip
Rasmussen and lead by an Administrative Council that represents diverse
agricultural, business, producer and public interests in the West.
The Western Region includes Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Micronesia, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, N. Mariana Islands, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
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WORLD WIDE WEB USERS: Calls for Proposals should be ready for down-loading
from the Western Region SARE Web site at http://ext.usu.edu:80/wsare/ by
the release date.
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Kristen Kelleher
Senior Public Information Rep/ Communications Specialist
USDA Western Region SARE
c/o SAREP
University of California
(916) 752-5987
kkelleher@ucdavis.edu
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