Farmers to receive tips from Purdue on writing grant proposals

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A free webinar with two Purdue University experts in grant funding will offer basic information to farmers about applying for grants to support sustainable agriculture educational programs and research.

Roy Ballard, Purdue Extension agriculture and natural resource educator in Hancock County, and Kris Parker, Purdue community development regional educator, will be the presenters for "Funding Opportunities for Farmers and Others" 10 a.m. to noon EDT on Oct. 7. Ballard, who is leading the workshop, is also the Indiana Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education program coordinator.

Ballard will discuss three available North Central Region SARE grants - farmer rancher, youth educator and partnership - and offer insight on SARE priorities.

 "Farmers may wish to compare new ways of streamlining some farm task, reducing environmental impact, growing a new crop, conducting research or an educational program, becoming more energy-efficient, adding value to a raw farm product or developing a local food system," Ballard said. "Each of these grants can provide thousands of dollars to successful applicants to advance their research and educational outreach or efforts to educate youth about some aspect of sustainable agriculture."

Although a fourth NCR-SARE grant - the research and education program - is not part of the webinar, it is currently accepting proposals. R&E grants support sustainable agriculture innovators with competitive research and education funding. The proposals for 2016 are due Oct. 22.

Parker will discuss tips for grant writing success in 2016.

To access the webinar, go to https://purdue.webex.com/join/rballard. Participants should log in ahead of time to check their connection and make sure they have downloaded any software necessary for viewing.

The session will be recorded and made available online for later viewing.

For more information, contact Ballard at 317-462-1113 or rballard@purdue.edu. 

Writer: Chelsea Clodfelder, 765-494-2722, cclodfel@purdue.edu 

Source: Roy Ballard, 317-462-1113, rballard@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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