Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
3/9/99
Contacts:
Jerry DeWitt, Department of Entomology, (515) 294-1101
Julie Todd, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-2405
USDA Grant Funds Available For Iowa Producers
AMES, Iowa -- The USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has funds available to support on-farm research, demonstration and education in sustainable agriculture in the North Central region. Iowa farmers and ranchers are encouraged to apply.
"Iowa producers have a lot of good ideas in sustainable agriculture and these grants offer money to help them implement their ideas and to share the information with others," said Jerry DeWitt, Iowa State University sustainable agriculture extension coordinator. Project topics can be in vegetable, field crop, or livestock systems, or in other areas that may help producers to have more sustainable and competitive operations. SARE has funded 27 producer projects in Iowa since 1992. Last year, seven projects were funded, totaling $42,592.
This year, $250,000 is available for grants. "Iowa producers can work individually or team up with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, ISU Extension, community colleges or other partners and apply for funding to develop and implement their ideas in sustainable agriculture," said DeWitt. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for individual producers and up to $15,000 for groups of three of more producers. "There may be many good ideas that need to be researched or demonstrated on farms across Iowa. Hook up with a partner and compete for these funds," said DeWitt.
Applications are due April 30, 1999, and funding decisions will be made in late June. For more information on SARE grants or to receive a producer grant application form, contact Jerry DeWitt, Department of Entomology, 109 Insectary Building, ISU, Ames, Iowa 50011 or call (515) 294-1101.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.