Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
7/9/99
Contacts:
Jerry DeWitt, Department of Agronomy, (515) 294-1923
Julie Todd, Extension Communications Systems, (515)
294-2405
SARE Grant Funds Available For Iowa Producers
AMES, Iowa -- The USDA's North Central Region (NCR) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has competitive grant funds available for Iowa farmers, ranchers and educators who have ideas for agricultural practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible.
Approximately $1.3 million will be available in the year 2000 to fund projects that could help Iowa producers achieve more sustainable and competitive operations. Research and education priority areas will be outlined in the Call for Preproposals available on the World Wide Web at <www.sare.org/ncrsare> after July 16. Topics, such as diversifying farming systems, marketing sustainable products and using environmentally sound management practices, will be included.
Jerry DeWitt, Iowa State University state sustainable agriculture extension coordinator, suggests that producers, nonprofit groups, and local and state partners combine ideas to better compete for these funds. "Ideas generated at the local level that have the ability to make statewide impact will be very competitive," says DeWitt. Many funded projects have involved on-farm research trials with crops or livestock. The program also funds education and demonstration projects and outreach efforts, including farmer-to-farmer networks.
Preproposals are due on September 10. For more information on SARE grants or to receive a producer grant application form, contact Jerry DeWitt, Department of Agronomy, 2104 Agronomy, ISU, Ames, Iowa 50011 or call (515) 294-1923.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.