USDA WESTERN SARE GRANTS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) program has released calls for proposals for its competitive grants in research and education, professional development, and farmer/rancher projects. Grant applications can now be accessed via the Web at http://wsare.usu.edu. Several changes should be noted: More funds are available in each program (more than $2 million total) than in past years, pending final action by Congress, and the deadline for farmer/rancher grant applications is earlier. WSARE has also strengthened the economic assessment and outreach requirements in the research and education grants program.

• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (Chapter 1) grants are for sustainable agriculture research, education, and outreach. Funds are targeted at projects that increase understanding and adoption of sustainable agricultural approaches and methods. An assessment of the economic impact of findings generated by research projects is required. Due date: Oct. 15, 2001.
• Professional Development Program grants provide funding to help Cooperative Extension Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and other professionals expand their knowledge of sustainable agriculture and help them conduct educational programs and activities in this area. Project subject matter may deal with any agricultural endeavor, including the way sustainable practices affect the quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Projects may be designed for agents and field staff working in production agriculture, 4H/youth development, or market development. Due date: Oct. 15, 2001.
• The Farmer/Rancher Grants program targets producers seeking to learn more about production, management, or marketing approaches that build the environmental and economic sustainability of their operations. Grants of up to $7,500 for an individual grower or $15,000 for a group of producers are available for on-farm experimentation, market research, educational events or other activities. Due date: Oct. 1, 2001, one month earlier than last year’s deadline.

Calls for proposals, as well as funded project results, are available at the program’s Web site, or by contacting the Western SARE office at Utah State University at (435) 797-2257 to request an application. National SARE, mandated by Congress in the 1985 and 1990 Farm Bills, is implemented by four regional councils. Western SARE is coordinated by Utah State University soil scientist V. Philip Rasmussen and lead by an administrative council that represents diverse agricultural, business, producer, and public interests in the West. The Western Region includes Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Micronesia, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, N. Mariana Islands, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.