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

2. Farms are laboratories Cover crops on the Fry farm, Maryland

3. A Vermont farmers breeding club, Jack Lazor, Vermont Farmers are leaders and teachers

4. Farms are gateways to new ideas Exploring solutions to infestations of Polydora sp., 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  Competitive—about a third of all applications funded  Awarded for merit, innovation, and good planning  Results useful to other farmers

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

8. Reduce pesticides Reduction of pesticide resistance in Colorado potato beetles, 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, Melissa Bahret, Massachusetts

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

12. Do you have… Is a Farmer Grant right for you?  A commercial farmer?  Excited about testing a new idea?  Passionate about improving your farm?  Eager to tell others about your results? Are you…  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?

13. Technical advisors  Add experience and knowledge  Help you stay on track  Can be Cooperative Extension staff, consultants, or others with skills you will need Photo: Joshua Brown

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

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

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

17. 4. Refine your approach

18. Go to www.nesare.org

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

20. Download How to Write a SARE Farmer Grant

21. Get Application materials in July

22. 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

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

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