Grants Available for Ag Projects (2000)

Colorado farmers and ranchers can submit grant applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s sustainable agriculture program by Oct. 31. The program, Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, is soliciting applications for producer-directed projects. Sustainable agriculture is agriculture that is profitable while being environmentally and socially responsible.

SARE grants are awarded to projects focusing on education or research that implement sustainable farming and ranching. The grants, each up to $7,500 for individuals or $15,000 for groups of three or more producers, are awarded in the spring of 2001.

ASARE encourages farmers and ranchers to find new ways to be good neighbors, care for the land and still make a profit, said Dennis Lamm, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension livestock specialist. Lamm is SARE coordinator for Colorado.

The SARE program has awarded grants to Colorado farmers and ranchers for several years. Increased funding may be available in 2001 to support work that emphasizes organic agriculture or producer marketing innovations, areas of interest that are welcomed in the current call for proposals.

The research and education grants are awarded to projects that focus on a whole system or projects that increase the understanding and adoption of sustainable agriculture. Viable SARE projects will address the interactions of whole systems, consider weak links in a system, or assess the effects of different components of agricultural systems. The program has a strong Congressional mandate to depart from " business as usual" and requires that farmers and ranchers be significantly involved in the design and implementation of projects.

SARE proposals are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Western SARE headquarters, Utah State University.

For more information about application requirements, contact Lamm at (970) 491-5168 or the local Colorado State Cooperative Extension office, usually listed under the county government section of your local phone book. To request an application, write Western SARE, Room 305, Agricultural Science Building, Utah State University, 4865 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4865; call (435) 797-2257; or e-mail bobn@ext.usu.edu