Northeast SARE Farmer Grants Northeast SARE serves Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, and Connecticut

Northeast SARE Farmer Grants SARE believes that Farmers are inventive Farmers are observant Farmers listen to and learn from each other

Farms are laboratories Wine grape varieties, Randal Rice, Pennsylvania

Farmers are leaders and teachers 6/24/2018 Farmers are leaders and teachers A Vermont farmers wheat breeding club, Jack Lazor, Vermont

Farms are gateways to new ideas Exploring solutions to infestations of Polydora sp. , Jesse Leach, Maine

Profits, stewardship, satisfaction A sustainable farm is: Profitable In harmony with the environment A source of pride to the farmer and the community

Farmer Grants Awarded for merit, innovation, and good planning Results useful to other farmers Competitive—about a third to half of all applications are funded

Topic areas —retail or wholesale —families, workers, and communities Commercial production—crops and livestock Marketing —retail or wholesale Quality of life —families, workers, and communities Environmental stewardship—soil and water

Reduce pesticides Reduction of pesticide resistance in Colorado potato beetles, Megan Patterson, Maine

Find a new market Safely sell dairy products at farmers markets, Courtney Haas, New Hampshire

Test a new crop Greenhouse ginger production, Melissa Bahret, Massachusetts

Improve the soil No-till and soil health metrics, Steve Groff, Pennsylvania

Is a Farmer Grant right for you? Are you… Do you have… A commercial farmer? Excited about testing a new idea? Passionate about improving your farm? Eager to tell others about your results? A trusted, skilled advisor who can help you succeed? The equipment and the experience to act on your idea? Time to invest in project success?

Technical advisors Add experience and knowledge Help you stay on track Can be Cooperative Extension staff, consultants, or others with skills you will need

1. Begin Talk your idea over with a technical advisor.

2. Decide Decide if the idea is a good fit with your farm.

3. Think Think about how to get useful results.

4. Refine your approach

Go to www.nesare.org

Read “Get a Grant” and “Farmer Grants”

Get Application materials available by September

Ready to apply? Respond to seven questions Plan what you need and what it will cost Total these costs in a budget Apply on line in late fall Funds released in the spring

Use grant funds for … Your time Employee time Advisor time Supplies and services Outreach and travel Printing and postage Photo Jack Rabin

Questions? Carol Delaney 802/651-8335 ext. 555 Carol.Delaney@uvm.edu www.nesare.org