Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University Accepting Applications

The Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University is accepting applications for grower research and education grants for the 2013 production season. The application deadline is Jan.1, 2013.

The request for proposals is intended for research, demonstration, and/or education projects addressing specialty crops production, processing, and marketing issues faced by small farmers, beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged farmers in Colorado.

These classifications are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as:

• Small farmers are those whose farm sales are less than $250,000 per year.
• Beginning farmers are individuals who have not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years. The 10-year requirement applies to all operators of the farm or ranch.
• Socially disadvantaged farmers include individuals of a socially disadvantaged group that has been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.

Producers and groups of producers interested in conducting research, demonstration, and/or education projects related to specialty crop production, processing, or marketing are encouraged to apply.

For a downloadable program description and application form of the Grower Research and Education Grant Program, go to http://www.specialtycrops.colostate.edu, contact Frank Stonaker at (970) 491-7068 or apply by writing to:

Specialty Crops Program – Request for Proposals
1173 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173
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