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

2. The farm as a laboratory Low-cost electric tractor conversion of Allis Chalmers G. Ron Khosla, New York

3. A Vermont farmers breeding club: Developing varieties that work for us. Jack Lazor, Vermont Farmers as leaders and teachers

4. Farming as a gateway to new ideas Exploring husbandry and equipment solutions to Infestations of Polydora sp. on a Maine oyster farm. Jesse Leach, Maine

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

6. Farmer Grants  Awarded for merit, innovation, and good planning  Competitive— about one-third of applications funded  Results useful to other farmers

7. Topic areas  Commercial production  Marketing, adding value, direct sales  Quality of life  Environmental stewardship

8. Reduce pesticides Reduction of Imidacloprid resistance of Colorado potato beetles using organic IPM. Megan Patterson, Maine

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

10. Test a new crop Greenhouse ginger production in the Northeast, parts 1 and 2. Melissa Bahret, Massachusetts

11. Refine best practices Remedies for common health problems of the organic laying flock. Karma Glos, New York

12. Improve the soil Organic no-till establishment of hairy vetch as a cover crop into hay sod and sensitivity to carbon amendments. Dorn Cox, New Hampshire

13. Do you have… Is a Farmer Grant right for you?  A commercial farmer?  Looking to testing a new idea?  Able to invest time and effort in a research plan? Are you…  A trusted, skilled ally who can help you succeed?  The equipment and the experience to act on your plan?  A way to tell others about what you learned?

14. Technical advisors  Add experience, stability, and knowledge  Help you avoid obvious problems  Can be Cooperative Extension staff, consultants, or others with special skills

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

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

17. 3. Think Think about how to get useful results.

18. 4. Refine your approach

19. Go to www.nesare.org

20. Read “Get a Grant” and “Farmer Grants”

21. Download How to Write a SARE Farmer Grant

22. Get Application materials in July

23. 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 early winter  Funds released in the spring

24. Use grant funds for …  Your time  Employee time  Advisor time  Supplies and services  Outreach and travel  Printing and postage

25. Questions? Carol Delaney 802/656-0697 Carol.Delaney@uvm.edu www.nesare.org