The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is now offering three grants to support Indiana’s vital livestock industry: the Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant, Indiana Livestock Market Development Grant, and the brand new Youth Livestock Grant. The deadline for all livestock grants is May 1, 2012.


The Youth Livestock Grant is an opportunity for 4-H or FFA chapters to “pay it forward” to deserving students interested in the livestock sector for the purchase of breeding stock to start a livestock enterprise or add animals to an existing operation.

The Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant is for qualifying organizations to submit project proposals designed to promote the livestock industry in Indiana through shows, sales, exhibitions, conventions, or similar events and programs.

The Indiana Livestock Marketing Development Grant is for qualifying organizations to submit project proposals for value added feasibility studies, research projects, market development, or other projects that encourage the development of business and industry related to livestock production, processing and distribution.

Eligibility:

Not-for-Profit organizations, commissions, and associations with 501©3 status are eligible for all three grants. All livestock grants are 50:50 matching funds grants.

Youth Livestock Grant: Not-for-profits with a 501©3 status should solicit applications from Indiana 4-H/FFA youth. Youth applicants are reviewed by the non-for-profit and select applicants they wish to request funds for. The Not-for-profit will submit the Youth Livestock application via email to ISDA.

Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant: Not-for-profits organizations, commissions, and associations with 501©3 status are eligible to apply for this grant. The Indiana Livestock Promotion Grant entities must work to promote the livestock industry in Indiana.

Indiana Livestock Market Development Grant: Not-for-profits organizations, commissions, and associations with 501©3 status are eligible to apply for funds that will work to develop or expand business or industry related to the livestock production, processing, and distribution. The Not-for-profit will submit the Indiana Livestock Market Development Grant to be eligible for these funds.

Applications can be found on ISDA's website and the deadline for all grants is May 1, 2012.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

Winners will be announced by May 15th, 2012

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