Advancing Sustainable Ag Innovations

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Advancing Sustainable Ag Innovations

• Southern SARE Funding Opportunities
• Producer Grants

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Who is SARE?

• Stands for Sustainable Agriculture Research and
  Education Program
• Authorized in the 1985 Farm Bill and is part of
  USDAs NIFA program
• Our goal is to support farmers, researchers and
  educators as they explore sustainable ag
  practices
• Primary tool is grants

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How SARE Works

• Regionally administered we support 13 states and
  two territories in the Southern region
• Host institutions UGA, FVSU, Kerr Center
• Participatory
• Inclusive
• Administrative Council sets research priorities,
  releases grant calls for proposals, and
  reviews/selects grants

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Defining Sustainable Agriculture

• SAREs three broad goals, known as the Pillars of
  Sustainability
• Profit over the long term
• Stewardship of our nations land, air and water
• Quality of life for farmers, ranchers and their
  communities
• These goals must be considered when applying for
  a grant.

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What is sustainability anyway?

• Build on the three pillars of
• Environmental stewardship
• Social responsibility
• Economic viability
• Tangible measures some example metrics
• Environmental soil is one component
• Soil loss vs. productivity
• Social working conditions vs.
  fatalities/injuries
• Economic land tenure and incentives

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Why Measure Sustainability?

• Establish benchmarks, measure the level of
  sustainability,
• Are we making progress?
• Public policy analysis
• Comparing farms a touchy issue!
• Provide guidance to buyers

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The level of sustainability is communicated to
buyers through

• Brands
• Organic Valley? Deans Milk? Ben Jerrys?
  Graeters Ice Cream Lauras Lean Beef
• Certifications
• Organic Fair Trade Amer. Grassfed Certified
  Naturally Grown Sustainability Metrics ???
• Relationships
• Your local farmer, processor

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Our Grant Opportunities

• Nationally, SARE has provided funding support for
  over 5,000 sustainable ag research projects.
• In the Southern region, weve awarded over 46
  million in grants for over 800 proposals.

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Grant Types - overview

• Research and Education Grants
• Typically 100,000 to 200,000
• Pre-proposals due in June
• Professional Development Grants
• Typically 30,000 to about 80,000
• Pre-proposals due in June
• Grad Student Grants
• Up to 10,000
• Due in June
• Producer and On-Farm Grants
• Due in November

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Producer and On-Farm Grants (2 of the 7 grant
types)

• For farmers and ranchers interested in conducting
  on-farm sustainable agriculture research to solve
  farming and ranching challenges.
• Awards up to 10,000 for individuals, and 15,000
  for farmer organizations.
• Up to two years.
• Include a diverse range of sustainable ag topics.
  Examples include trap crops, cover crops,
  multi-species grazing, innovative marketing,
  beneficial insects.
• Example projects
• Mushroom Production on 100 Waste Substrate
• Insect Exclusion Using Woven Shade Cloth
• Switchgrass as Beneficial Insect Habitat and
  Compost

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On-Farm Grant Ky. example

• Morgan Co., Ky Sweet potato enterprise
• Parts
• Production practices
• Technical skills extension agent and specialist
• Marketing
• Cooperation
• Outcomes
• Producer skills
• Higher incomes
• Long term enterpise
• Marketing opportunities

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What We Fund What We Dont Fund

• Fund
• Cost of sampling
• Materials or supplies
• Outreach expenses
• Travel for the project
• Hired labor
• Refreshments for outreach

• Dont Fund
• Buying equipment or land
• Starting a farm
• Permanent farm improvements
• Lunches or other full meals
• Testing commercial products

Download the Call for Proposals to learn
more http//www.southernsare.org/Grants/Apply-for
-a-Grant
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Interested in Submitting a Proposal?

• Tips to Consider

• Farmer/Cooperator collaboration
• Download and READ the Call for Proposals BEFORE
  applying
• Develop clear goals
• Plan and prepare dont wait until the last
  minute

• Dont be afraid to discuss your idea with others
• Ask other people to look at your proposal before
  submitting it.
• Ask Questions

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Know More

• SARE offers more than grants
• Learning Center National publications, including
  facts sheets, bulletins and books
• Regional educational resources and newsletters
• SARE program materials
• Grantee project products
• Videos
• Topic Rooms
• SARE listserv

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To Learn More, Visit

• http//www.sare.org ttp//www.southernsare.org
• E-mail ssare_at_uga.edu
• Contact one of your SARE state coordinators
• Lee Meyer lee.meyer_at_uky.edu
• Marion Simon - marion.simon_at_kysu.edu
• Look for us at conferences, workshops and other
  events