October 12, 2007

SARE Farmer/Rancher Grants Available; DVD Offers Application Tips

The NCR-SARE grants are awarded based on the applicants' ability to describe how their project will be sustainable in terms of having long-term profitability, being good for the environment, producing healthy foods and being socially responsible.

To assist potential applicants, Wyatt Fraas of the Center for Rural Affairs and Jim Peterson, UNL extension educator and Nebraska coordinator of the SARE program, collaborated to develop a DVD. The DVD is available for loan at local UNL Extension offices.

The DVD offers a complete explanation of the Farmer and Rancher Grant, information on how to apply, examples of successful applications and comments from a former grant evaluator. It also offers a PowerPoint presentation and examples to download to a computer.

In 2006, Nebraska had four successful grant proposals receiving funding. One past project involved Lincoln area families using a SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant to learn about and develop artisan cheeses. Through the program, the families were able to develop several cheese varieties using both goat and dairy milk. The cheeses now are successfully sold at farmers markets and directly from on-farm sales.

Other past projects have included pest and disease management, soil conservation, local marketing, public education, waste management, agro-tourism, crop diversity and more.

This year, farmers and ranchers throughout the north central region will have the opportunity to apply for roughly $400,000 in grant assistance. The 12 states that comprise the north central region are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.