The workshop will include information to help farmers compete for grants from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR SARE) Farmer Rancher Grant Program. Producers interested in research, demonstrations or educating others about profitable, environmentally sound, socially responsible agricultural are encouraged to attend. 

Dr. Joan Fulton, Agriculture Economics Professor and co-chair of Purdue’s New Ventures Team and co-director of Purdue’s Agricultural Innovation and Commercialization Center (AICC) will discuss Successful Grant Writing and Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Specialist, Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture, University of Illinois Extension and State Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator will take participants through the NCR SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant Program Call for Proposals. Farmer Rancher Grant recipients, Kevin Cooley (Lafayette, Indiana) and Mike Rahe (Jacksonville, Illinois)  will share their experiences as NCR SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program recipients.

In 2009, producer grants will be awarded in amounts up to $6,000. Group projects (three or more producers) can be funded up to the $18,000 maximum. Funds will become available to successful applicants in April 2009.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension and Purdue Extension. The two-hour program will begin at 6:00 p.m. CST. To sign up contact: Deborah Cavanaugh Grant,               217-968-5512       cvnghgrn@illinois.edu