Do you have a project that can help solve problems that farmers face? If so, money may be available for you to make your idea become a reality.
The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, or SARE program, is now calling for proposals for the 2012 Producer Grants, intended for farmers and ranchers or farmer/rancher organizations in the South.
Deadline for submission is Nov. 15, 2011. The announcement of grants will be made in February of 2012.
The grants are used to conduct projects that solve problems for farmers. In the process information is developed on what works and what doesn't work. Farmers and ranchers can learn from the project. SARE notes the grants are not designed to pay a farmer to farm but instead are aimed at encouraging farmers to problem solve.
Projects may be funded up to two years. Individual producers can receive a maximum grant of $10,000. Producer organizations can receive up to $15,000. The producer organizations should be comprised mainly of farmers and ranchers and have a majority of farmers on their governing board.
SARE has a website with information about the grants at to http://www.southernsare.org/Grants/Apply-for-a-Grant. Select the link "Calls for Proposal" for application information, program priorities, use of funds, instructions and contact information.
Proposals can cover a variety of subjects including sustainable marketing products, beneficial insect habitats, alternative crops/livestock, organic agriculture, sustainable grazing systems, soil organic matter building/protection/management, increasing sustainability of existing farming practices, appropriate technology and agroforestry/water quality.
In addition to the Producer Grants SARE sponsors a wide variety of other grants aimed at farmers and students. For more information on these grants or on Southern SARE in general, log on to http://www.southernsare.org. To read about the various grants available, select the link to News Media and select from the list. There are also other links to grant information at the site.