Mini-Grants
The Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Mini-Grant Program provides partial support for projects designed to increase the knowledge base and effectiveness of agricultural professionals in developing educational programs that enhance the sustainability of communities and agricultural systems. Agricultural professionals include Extension educators, Natural Resource Conservation Service staff, state and federal agency personnel, high school and community college instructors, and educators in the profit and not-for-profit sectors serving the food and fiber system. Applicants are required to explain how proposed programs will contribute to the professional development of one or more groups in this broad range of educators and contribute to progress in one or more of the following initiatives: (1) scaling up local food systems; (2) increasing the efficiency of organic production; (3) increasing the effective use of cover crops; and (4) aiding the development and adoption of NRCS EQIP standards for IPM. Professional development programs focused on other areas of sustainable agriculture may also be considered.
Mini-grants support programs or workshops that build educator expertise, develop new curricula or programming, or implement innovative educational approaches. Funding requests of up to $1,500 will be considered; proposals should include matching support or co-sponsorship whenever possible.
Applications will be reviewed continuously, and funding decisions will be made as rapidly as possible, but to assure timely consideration, proposals should be submitted by:
- January 15 for projects scheduled to begin or be held May 1 through August 30
- May 15 for projects scheduled to begin or be held September 1 through December 30
- September 15 for projects scheduled to begin or be held January 1 through April 30
Click here for the application form. For more information, contact the Illinois SARE Coordinator, Richard A. Weinzierl, at (217) 244-2126 or weinzier@illinois.edu or the Illinois SARE Project Manager, Mary Hosier, at (217) 333-7512 or mhosier@illinois.edu.