CARROLLTON, Ohio — Farmers, producers and ranchers, and those who work with these individuals can now apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant.
The Farmer and Rancher Grant Program (formerly the Producer Grant Program) in the North Central Region can provide up $6,000 per farmer or up to $18,000 per group of farmers to develop, test, or implement on-farm sustainable production or marketing practices. Since 1992, nearly 250 grants worth more than $1 million have been awarded to fund such projects as beef marketing, development of new farmers markets, organic farming and agroforestry.
Ohio State University Extension educators will be on-hand during Farm Science Review to provide information on how to apply for SARE Farmer and Ranger grants. The presentation will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 22 at the Center for Small Farms, located at the corner of Corn Ave. and Beef St. on the Molly Caren Agricultural Center grounds in London, Ohio.
SARE grant proposals are due by December 1, 2005. For more information on SARE grants, log on to http://sustainableag.osu.edu and click on "Grants for Farmers and Educators." Additional information is also available by contacting OSU Extension Sustainable Agriculture Team coordinators Mike Hogan at (330) 627-4310 or e-mail hogan.1@osu.edu, or Alan Sundermeier at (419) 354-9050 or e-mail sundermeier.5@osu.edu.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, OSU Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Tickets are $8 at the gate or $5 in advance when purchased from OSU Extension county offices or agribusinesses. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 20-21 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22.