This great opportunity allows producers to apply for up to $6,000 to use Sustainable Agriculture practices and/or their own innovation ideas to solve problems on their farm and share their ideas with others. Sustainable Agriculture is farming practices that are ecologically sound, profitable and socially responsible stewardship. Some practices that may be used on your farm are: Integrated Pest Management, Rotational Grazing, Soil Erosion Control, Soil Quality Improvement, Water Quality Improvement, Cover Crops, Crop/Landscape Diversity, Nutrient Management, Agroforestry, Wildlife Preservation, Beneficial Insects, Poultry & Small Scale Livestock Production, Organic Agriculture and alternative weed control.

From this list of practices, it would be easy to find something that could be applicable on your farm. What I would suggest is to pick one and do your homework on that topic. Be sure to find some stats and data to support how this practice would bring benefits to your operation. Also, consider some partners you could involve in your project like extension, SWCD's, and non-profits. The review committee will probably want to see ways you could share information about your project with others; like through field days, websites, etc.

USDA has allocated $400,000 for the 2009 NCR-SARE Farmer & Rancher Grant. The North Central SARE grant is open to any farmer/rancher or group of famers/ranchers who farm or operate in the following 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

In my opinion it is a relatively easy application to fill out and is due on December 3, 2009. More information regarding this grant and the application can be found at: http://sare.org/ncrsare/prod.htm

You may be asking yourself the question why anyone would bother blogging about agriculture grants. But, I'm guessing you found this blog because you were asking yourself if there are any resources out there that could help your farm or an agricultural organization you are a part of accomplish some specific project or goal. And now that you have stumbled onto this page you will be able to see where grants come into play; and it is my intent to utilize this blog to help you figure out how federal and foundation funding works.


Did you know USDA and other federal agencies offer grants, loans or sometimes grant-loan combinations to assist farmers with sustainable agriculture, bioenergy and value added projects? You can always find a list of open agriculture related grants by going to ISDA's Grant Webpage at: http://www.in.gov/isda/2522.htm

It is my intent to use this blog as an additional resource for farmers and producers to come and learn about various funding topics like where to look on-line for funding, how to apply for funding, and lots of other tips, ideas and advice along the way. Each week I will highlight a recently opened grant at the bottom of this page and discuss all the details of the grant's criteria as well as giving some possible proposal ideas. I also plan to post polls to gather what additional information you would like to know about so I can cover those in future posts. Please feel free to post any comments or questions you may have as it is my hope that this blog can become a forum of information and sharing to help the agriculture community reach their funding goals.