WSARE California invites proposals for small grants (up to $25,000) to support professional development opportunities in sustainable agriculture targeted primarily to agricultural professionals such as extension staff, non-profit, state and federal agency staff, PCAs/CCAs, etc. Farmers and ranchers may be included but should NOT be the primary audience. The goal is to increase the capacity of agriculture professionals who work in California to apply the principles of sustainable agriculture while working with their clientele (farmers, ranchers, consumers, youth, businesses, government, or communities). Projects should align with Western SARE goals regarding stewardship of natural resources; enhanced quality of life for farmers/ranchers and rural communities; increased health and safety of those involved in food and farming systems; diversification of crops, livestock, and enterprises; and understanding regional, economic, social, and environmental implications of agricultural practices and systems. (For more information, see western.sare.org/about.)

High-priority topics include:

• Climate change and agricultural adaptation
• Fire: wild and prescribed
• Soil health 
• Increased on-farm biodiversity and wildlife/pollinator habitat
• Integrated pest management
• Water use efficiency
• Nutrient management for environmental health
• Market diversification/Alternative marketing 
• Community-based food systems /Urban agriculture
• Succession planning
• Mental health for ag professionals and the farming community
• Agricultural and food systems resilience to biophysical and socioeconomic shocks

Who can apply: 

Any California-based professionals or organizations qualified to conduct food and agriculture-related extension and education. 

How to apply: 

Applications must be submitted via Google Forms.  Applicants will be required to respond to application questions in Google Forms and upload their completed Budget and Budget Justification form.  

• Click HERE to view the application questions
• Click HERE to download and complete the Budget & Budget Justification form

Submit your application HERE 

All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of stakeholder reviewers. 

Important Dates:

• Application deadline:  September 25, 2024 at 5pm
• Applicants notified of funding decisions:  December 20, 2024
• Project Period: January 15, 2025 – June 30, 2026

Contacts:

For more information on the grant proposal process, please contact Rachael Callahan, rmcallahan@ucanr.edu.

For more information about Western SARE, please see www.western.sare.org or contact Sonja Brodt, sbbrodt@ucanr.edu or Jeff Stackhouse, jwstackhouse@ucanr.edu.