For applications, CONTACT:
North Central Region SARE Program
402-472-7081
402-472-0280 (fax)
sare001@unlvm.unl.edu
For more information, CONTACT:
Lisa Bauer
Communications Specialist
402-472-0265
sare003@unlvm.unl.edu
GRANT PROGRAM OFFERS PRODUCERS FUNDS FOR INNOVATIVE
ON-FARM RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
Lincoln, NE -- Farmers and ranchers interested in exploring new
possibilities for higher profits, environmental stewardship, or community
development have the opportunity to do so with funds for research and
education projects from the USDA's North Central Region (NCR) Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Producer Grant Program.
"This is a very good program for farmers who want to make a change for the
better," says Joe Golimbieski, a Michigan farmer and Producer Grant
recipient. "Farmers receiving the grant get help and in return they can help
many other farmers from experience gained by the SARE grant work."
This year, $200,000 is available through this competitive grant program.
The North Central Region will award up to $5,000 to individual producers
investigating any sustainable practice or concept and up to $10,000 to
groups of producers proposing creative marketing projects.
"Marketing in this age of competitive global food systems is more and more
a necessary survival skill for farmers," says Molly Bartlett, Ohio farmer
and NCR SARE Administrative Council member. "With marketing knowledge,
farmers are better able to seek out satisfying, profitable and regional
markets."
The Producer Grant Program combines practical knowledge, farmer networking
and collaboration among farmers, agricultural educators and researchers in
inventive projects. Ken Schneider, the NCR's producer liaison, strengthens
this program by visiting NCR SARE project farms.
"The farmers I meet know what they would like to change or explore, they
just need an incentive," says Schneider. "The SARE program offers them the
opportunity to take risks and make changes they may not otherwise make."
Applications are available from the North Central Region Office beginning
FEBRUARY 3, 1997. 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, 1997. Funding decisions will be made in late June 1997. Funds
will be available in mid-fall for the 1998 crop production season. Call
402-274-7081 or e-mail sare001@unlvm.unl.edu for an application.
The Producer Grant Program began in the North Central Region five years ago
and is now a national SARE Program. Over 160 producer grants have been
awarded in the NCR since the inception of this program.
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.
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Lisa M. Bauer
Communications Specialist
North Central Region SARE Program
13A Activities Bldg.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68583-0840
402-472-0265
402-472-0280 (fax)
sare003@unlvm.unl.edu