Jason Challandes Regional SARE Educator for Delaware & the Eastern Shore of Maryland February 28,...
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Jason Challandes Regional SARE Educator for Delaware & the Eastern Shore of Maryland February 28, 2013 Northeast SARE Farmer and Partnership Grant Programs
Jason Challandes Regional SARE Educator for Delaware & the
Eastern Shore of Maryland February 28, 2013 Northeast SARE Farmer
and Partnership Grant Programs
Slide 2
Sustainable Agriculture * An integrated system of plant and
animal production practices having a site-specific application that
will, over the long term: Satisfy human food and fiber needs
Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon
which the agricultural economy depends Make the most efficient use
of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate,
where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls Sustain
the economic viability of farm operations Enhance the quality of
life for farmers and society as a whole. * As defined in the farm
bill
Slide 3
Northeast SARE Outcome Statement Agriculture in the Northeast
will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to
its customers; it will be conducted by farmers who manage resources
wisely, who are satisfied with their lifestyles, and have a
positive influence on their communities and the environment. This
statement drives the mission for Northeast SARE grant
programs.
Slide 4
What is SARE? SARE = Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education Program USDA competitive grants and outreach program
Operates independently in four regions Advancing sustainable
innovations to the whole of American agriculture
Slide 5
Competitive Grants and Research & Education Professional
Development Agroecosystems Farmer Partnership Sustainable Community
Graduate Student Publications Bulletins On-line books, factsheets
Innovations Sustainable Farmer Educators Speakers Fund State
Program Northeast SARE Programs
Slide 6
2010 NE-SARE Grants Portfolio Grant TypeTotal Number Submitted
Total Number Funded Success rateTotal Amount Funded Research &
Education 351337%$1,739,665 Professional Development 10440%$430,310
Farmer582747%$243,082 Partnership341956%$256,894 Sustainable
Community 661726%$237,316 Graduate Student 511325%$166,059 Total$
3,073,326
Slide 7
About Northeast SARE Farmer Grant WHAT? A grant to: Explore
innovative ideas. Develop, refine, and/or demonstrate new
sustainable techniques. Seek new knowledge that other farmers can
use. Address questions that are directly linked to improved
profits, better stewardship of resources, and stronger rural
communities.
Slide 8
About Northeast SARE Farmer Grant HOW? Field trial On-farm
demonstration Marketing research Other inventions Project must have
an outreach component
Slide 9
Who can apply for a Farmer grant? WHO Must be a farmer in the
Northeast Can be full-time or part-time For-profit operations that
are currently selling farm products, crop or animal, on a regular
basis A technical advisor--often an extension agent, veterinarian,
crop consultant, or other service professional--is required as a
project participant.
Slide 10
SARE Funds Can Be Used For: Your time and time your employees
work on project Project materials Project-related services (soil
testing, consulting, etc.) Project-related travel Postage,
printing, phone, and other outreach expenses Compensating technical
advisors, collaborators, etc. Rental equipment specifically needed
for project
Slide 11
SARE Does NOT Fund: Projects requesting more than $15,000
General overhead costs Capital expenses Projects with no direct
link to sustainability Projects with little/unclear benefit to
other farmers Proposals that replicate techniques already known to
be effective Past recipients who are behind in their reporting
Slide 12
Types of Projects Funded New production techniques / strategies
Adoption in Northeast, etc. Marketing of new products Value-added
Invention of equipment, etc. Education, outreach &
demonstration
Slide 13
SARE has funded projects in: Aquaculture Bees Composting Cover
cropping systems Education Erosion control Grazing and pasture
management Greenhouse production Hay and silage Herbs &
specialty crops Livestock Market Development Mulches No-till Pest
management Processing and adding value Tools and prototypes Weed
control
Slide 14
Examples of Northeast SARE Farmer Projects
Slide 15
2007: A Vermont farmers breeding club: Developing varieties
that work for us. Jack Lazor Butterworks Farm Westfield,
Vermont
Slide 16
Slide 17
2010: MD Oyster Big Flip Floats for Commercial Aquaculture
David Chamberlain Berlin, MD
Slide 18
2009: Exploring Husbandry and Equipment Solutions to
Infestations of Polydora sp. on a Maine Oyster Farm. Jesse Leach
Bagaduce Oyster Co. Penobscot, Maine
Slide 19
2001 & 2002: Effect of Different Grazing Systems on Dairy
Goat Productivity. Kristan Doolan Does Leap Farm, Bakersfield,
Vermont
Slide 20
Slide 21
2010: Economical Climate Control for extended Production in
High Tunnel Vertical Growing Willie Lantz Mt. Lake Park, MD
21550
Slide 22
2011: Effects of Pole Lima Production in North/South vs.
East/West Row Ed Zitvogel Bridgeville, DE
Slide 23
2003: Early Sweet Corn From Transplants. Jon Satz Woods Market
Garden Brandon, Vermont
Slide 24
Slide 25
2003: Low-cost electric cultivating/seeding tractor conversion
of Allis Chalmers G. Ron Khosla Huguenont Street Farm New Paltz,
NY
Slide 26
2012: Alternative Poultry Breeds and Houses Kim Hartline,
Clayton, DE
Slide 27
2012: Water Hyacinth Barry Wards, Pokomoke City, MD
Slide 28
Farmer Application: 10 steps/questions 1. Summary or abstract
2. What is the problem and why is it important? 3. What efforts
have been made by others to solve the problem? 4. How will your
project fit in with your farm operation? 5. What will your methods
be? 6. How will you measure your results? 7. How will the results
of your project help farmers in the Northeast? 8. What is the
outreach plan for your project results? 9. Build your budget 10.
Justify your budget
Slide 29
Read the How to Write a SARE Farmer Grant Application booklet
Enlist technical advisor and give guide. Submit application on-line
by December 1, 2011. Mail one paper copy signed by technical
advisor within 15 days of deadline. December March 2012, Review
team of 4 reads, ranks and discusses. Awards recommended to
Administrative Council. March 2012 Applicants notified of award or
rejection April-May 2012 Contracts created and signed for
reimbursement Application Procedure and Timeline FARMER GRANTS
Slide 30
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Slide 33
Search for Current Sustainable Ag Research Search the SARE
projects data base online at www.sare.org www.sare.org Organic
Farming Research Foundation at www.ofrf.org www.ofrf.org National
Agricultural Library at www.nal.usda.govwww.nal.usda.gov contact
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas at www.attra.org to
get a resource packet in your interest areawww.attra.org
http://nesare.org/get/farmers/fg-
application/application-help.html
Slide 34
Slide 35
Role of Ag Service Providers Technical Advisor Review grant
application complete and convincing? Help with experimental design
include control Provide background for justification trends Read
comments from possible rejection letter and try again Supply
outreach opportunities [see A Guide for Agricultural Service
Providers on nesare.org] Consultant paid for work on Farmer grants
Measurements or outreach Apply for Partnership grant
Slide 36
Application Review Process Completed proposal sent to 4 review
team members who Review teams are comprised of at least one farmer
and one member from SAREs Administrative Council. The other two are
recruited from the SAREs Technical Committee. Usually serve 2-3
years. Proposals are ranked separately by 4 reviewers. Reviewers
discuss proposals on conference call. Some rankings change with
discussion. Proposals are awarded based on merit, not on balancing
of geographical distribution
Slide 37
Farmer Grants: Evaluation Criteria for Review 1. A direct link
to agricultural sustainability Project must address one or more of
the following themes: o the reduction of environmental and health
risks in agriculture o the prevention of agricultural pollution o
improved productivity, the reduction of costs, and the increase of
net farm income o the conservation of soil, the improvement of
water quality, and the protection of -natural resources o the
enhancement of employment in rural areas o the improvement of
quality of life for farmers, their employees, and the farm
community
Slide 38
Farmer Grants: Evaluation Criteria for Review 2. Innovative
content and approach 3. Familiarity with related work 4. Capacity
for success 5. Clear objectives, sound methods, and measurable
results 6. Involvement from the technical advisor 7. Outreach 8.
Sensible budget
Slide 39
Partnership Grants Just like Farmer grants but Ag. Service
Provider is Principle Investigator (PI) or Project Coordinator Must
have an on-farm project. Deadline for online proposal is November
1, 2011 with signed hardcopy due within 15 days of deadline.
Slide 40
Partnership Application: 9 steps/questions 1. What is the
problem and why is it important? 2. What is your proposed solution?
3. What are your project methods? 4. What is the project timetable?
5. How will you disseminate your project results? 6. What are your
qualifications? 7. Who are the projects cooperating farmers? 8.
Budget 9. Budget justification
Slide 41
Partnership Grants: Evaluation Criteria for Review 1. Show a
direct link to sustainable agriculture: Proposals must address at
least one of the following themes: o the reduction of environmental
and health risks in agriculture o the prevention of agricultural
pollution o improved productivity, the reduction of costs, and the
increase of net farm income o the conservation of soil, the
improvement of water quality, and the protection of -natural
resources o the enhancement of employment in rural areas o the
improvement of quality of life for farmers, their employees, and
the farm community
Slide 42
Partnership Grants: Evaluation Criteria for Review 2. Build
knowledge for farmers 3. Innovation and significance 4. Clear
objectives, sound methods, and measurable results 5. Effective
outreach 6. Capacity for success 7. Familiarity with related work
8. Sensible budget
Slide 43
Common areas for improvement per reviewer comments Problem is
specific only to this farmer: Wasn't convinced that this project
addressed an important ag problem/issue. Farmer interest not
supported: The commercial viability of these varieties is not known
nor is it clear how the plants will be marketed and if anyone who
has a commercial interest in them.
Slide 44
Common areas for improvement per reviewer comments Need to
provide details and follow proposal directions: This proposal needs
to define a problem to be solved and its methodology. Its benefit
is to the applicant only. Speakers aren't identified. There are no
cooperating farmers outside the applicants' organization. Idea
needs to be innovative and its impact shown: Many marketing
opportunities already available so, application should be going to
the next level. Concern that ability to measure impact was
missing..
Slide 45
Common areas for improvement per reviewer comments Questionable
qualifications of applicant: The idea in itself is really not bad
but I wonder if the applicants have the needed farming knowledge to
assess which material is useful? Who evaluates if the material is
accurate, appropriate and useful for small farmers in the
Northeast? Idea is too big for grant size: No indication that this
project will sustain itself or continue after the grant and
outreach is weak.
Slide 46
For More Information www.nesare.org Carol Delaney Northeast
SARE Farmer Grant Specialist 802-656-0697,
[email protected]@uvm.edu Farmer & Partnership
grants State programs, State Coordinators and Program Staff
www.nesare.org/state-programs/ www.nesare.org/state-programs/ Jason
Challandes Regional SARE Educator for Delaware and Eastern Shore of
Maryland 302-388-2241, [email protected] Berran Rogers Maryland
State Coordinator 410-651-6693, [email protected]