For application materials, CONTACT:
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (Western SARE)
Utah State University
(435) 797-2257 or wsare@mendel.usu.edu
Calls for Proposals are available for down-loading at http://ext.usu.edu/wsare/
Prepared by:
Kristen Kelleher, communications specialist
(530) 752-5987; kkelleher@ucdavis.edu
EARLY START FOR WESTERN SARE'S
COMPETITIVE GRANTS EFFORTS IN 1998
Logan, UT -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Western Region
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (Western SARE) program will
release its general calls for proposals for research, education and
professional development grants in mid-June.
Western SARE's grant effort aimed at producer-led research projects
will issue its call for proposals in mid-October.
Overall, the program continues to look for projects that consider
sustainable farming and ranching systems, or how elements of a system
affect the whole. The region's governing Administrative Council has noted
an interest in marketing topics in the June 1998 call for research and
education proposals.
"The region's leadership wants to create a knowledge base that
includes attention to the bottom line," said Phil Rasmussen, regional
coordinator of Western SARE and a soil scientist at Utah State University.
"In addition to good agricultural science, we're interested in finding ways
to reward producers for environmental stewardship, and increase food profit
margins in rural communities."
The release date gives applicants three to four months to prepare
proposals, providing them with ample time to coordinate broad-based
participation in potential projects.
Specific Grant Programs and Deadlines
*SARE grants* are for sustainable agriculture research and
education projects. The effort provides funding for projects that have a
whole-systems approach and increase the understanding and adoption of
sustainable agriculture. Viable SARE projects will address the interactions
of whole systems, consider weak links in a whole system, or assess the
effects of different components of agricultural systems. This year, the
call for proposals notes an interest in marketing questions and techniques.
In addition, the U.S. EPA contributes some funds to the effort (which are
matched by the USDA) to support studies and outreach efforts that mitigate
agricultural pollution. *SARE proposals are due on September 30, 1998 (by
5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time).*
*Professional Development Program (PDP) grants* provide funding for
efforts to help Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation
Service and other agricultural professionals expand their knowledge of
sustainable agriculture. Project subjects can deal with any agricultural
endeavor, and may consider the effects of sustainable practices on the
quality of life for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Projects can
be designed for professionals working in production agriculture, 4H/youth
development or other areas. *The deadline for PDP proposals is October 15,
1998 (by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time).*
Contact Western SARE at Utah State University at (435) 797-2257 or
wsare@mendel.usu.edu to add your name to the distribution list for calls
for proposals, or to request application materials.
*The Farmer/Rancher Research Grant call for proposals, which is
aimed at area producers or producer groups, is not set for release until
October 15, 1998* and will have a due date of January 15, 1999. Contact the
Western SARE office to add your name to the mailing list for Western
producers. *Please specify if you are a farmer or rancher.*
About Western SARE
The national SARE effort, which was mandated by Congress in the
1990 and 1996 Farm Bills, is implemented by four regional councils in
cooperation with the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and
Extension Service. Western SARE is coordinated by Utah State University
soil scientist V. Philip Rasmussen and led by an Administrative Council
that represents diverse agricultural and public interests.
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.
###
*******************************
Kristen Kelleher
Senior Public Information Rep/ Communications Specialist
Western SARE
Mail and contact information:
SARE
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8716
(530) 752-5987
(530) 754-8550
kkelleher@ucdavis.edu
FOR UPS, FED-X, or other priority mail:
SARE, University of California
DANR Bldg, Hopkins Rd.
Davis, CA 95616
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