For applications, CONTACT:
North Central Region SARE, 402-472-7081, 402-472-0280 (fax), or
sare001@unlvm.unl.edu
For more information, CONTACT:
Lisa Bauer, Communications Specialist, 402-472-0265, or sare003@unlvm.unl.edu
SARE'S 10TH YEAR OPENS WITH A CALL FOR
PRODUCER GRANT PROPOSALS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Lincoln, NE — Celebrating a decade of the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education (SARE) program, SARE's North Central Region (NCR)
launches 1998 by offering competitive grants to farmers and ranchers.
Producers interested in researching, demonstrating or educating others about
profitable, environmentally sound, socially responsible agricultural systems
are encouraged to apply to the NCR Producer Grant Program.
"We think this is an excellent program," says Kim Cates, a Wisconsin farmer
and Producer Grant recipient. "It gives producers an opportunity to take a
chance without having to fund the whole idea on their own. There's always
enough financial risk involved with a farming enterprise."
In this the NCR's seventh year of providing producer grants, $225,000 is
available for awards of up to $5,000 for individual producers investigating
any sustainable practice or concept and up to $10,000 for groups of three or
more producers proposing creative marketing projects.
"The Producer Grant Program emphasizes the importance of farmer-driven
research and indigenous knowledge," says Ken Schneider, former
farmer/rancher and NCR SARE's producer grant liaison. "We support innovative
farmers and ranchers looking for ways to overcome obstacles to a sustainable
operation."
Nearly 200 producer projects in 12 NCR states have been awarded at a total
of more than $800,000 since 1992. Projects cover a variety of topics, such
as reducing off-farm inputs, testing technologies, improving water quality,
educating young people or consumers about agriculture, managing weeds and
pests, recycling wastes and creating viable markets for sustainable
products, among a host of other issues.
"There are many answers to agricultural questions on-farm," says Schneider.
"SARE is willing to share the cost of finding these answers with our
regional producers."
Applications are available from the North Central Region office beginning
February 2, 1998. Producers must reside in the 12-state North Central
Region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Applications are
due May 1, 1998. Funding decisions will be made in late-June 1998. Funds
will be available in mid-fall for the 1999 crop production season. Call
402-472-7081, fax 402-472-0280 or email sare001@unlvm.unl.edu for an
application. You can also find the application at http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/.
The national SARE Program began with the 1985 Farm Bill. Congress
appropriated initial funds in 1988 for grants in sustainable agriculture
research, education and demonstration. Funding goes to producers,
scientists, educators and public and private institutions and organizations
in three grant programs. The North Central Region, managed by a diverse
Administrative Council and directed by two regional coordinators, is one of
four regions in the SARE Program. 1998 marks SARE's 10th anniversary. To
learn more about SARE's anniversary conference, contact Valerie Berton at
301-405-3186 or vberton@wam.umd.edu. Or see http://www.sare.org/10year/.
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*******************************
Lisa Bauer
Communications Specialist
North Central Region SARE
13A Activities Bldg.
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68583-0840
402-472-0265
402-472-0280 (fax)
sare003@unlvm.unl.edu
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/ncrsare
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