The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Oklahoma Producer Grant Program

2005 Call for Preproposals

Call for Preproposals  |  Preproposal Information Packet

Introduction
The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture is soliciting grant proposals from producers across Oklahoma who are interested in conducting research or demonstration projects. This is a competitive grant program. The goal of the program is to advance the use of sustainable farming/ranching practices by Oklahoma producers. Educational programs should be a key component of any proposal submitted. All research and demonstration projects should have measurable outcomes. The program is based upon the recognition that farmers know their land best and are eager to innovate if given support and encouragement. This program is designed to provide producers with an avenue to utilize new sustainable practices and learn from each other.

Summary
This grant program has a new, redesigned format. To streamline the process for producers, the Kerr Center has divided the grant process into two sections. The first is the preproposal process. Producers write a two or three page summary of the project they want to do on their farm/ranch and submit the preproposal to the Kerr Center by the due date. The preproposal should follow the guidelines outlined in this text. A technical committee will select a certain number of preproposals for development into a full proposal.

Selected preproposals will be asked to complete a full proposal application by the second due date to compete for grant funds. This allows producers to write down an idea for consideration without spending long hours completing a full proposal. If selected to complete the full proposal, the preproposal will be further developed into a full application and returned to the Kerr Center by the deadline date.

To apply for this grant, a farmer/rancher can request an information packet to use with this set of guidelines to complete the preproposal. Call the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture or go to the center web site at www.kerrcenter.com and click on Oklahoma Producer Grants program. The project must fit into one of the selected priority areas listed on the following pages. All proposals are reviewed by a qualified independent technical committee. Farmers are encouraged to link up with Extension personnel, other state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, other farmers or specialists to assist with executing and analyzing their projects. Grants can be funded for up to $3,500 for a two year project and up to a total of $7,500 for a three year project. The application must be returned by the due date listed below. Confirmation of receipt of application will be mailed, emailed or faxed within two working days.

Time Line

Guidelines for Preproposals
In the preproposal process, a producer will use the following guidelines to complete a two or three page preproposal depicting the activity the producer wants to do in the project they propose.

Projects that are innovative, applicable to many farms, and useful beyond the length of the project have the best chance of being funded.

All projects must have a strong outreach plan for providing other producers, researchers, extension personnel, and the general public with the opportunity to learn from project results. Outreach plans may include workshops, field days, fact sheets or brochures.

Black and white project maps highlighting important areas of the project may be submitted with the application. Maps must be capable of being photocopied for review by committee members.

Refer to information packet for more helpful information.

Applicants must use the following format and answer the following questions.
Cover Page: title, name, address, e-mail, phone, estimated grant request amount

Preproposal Body
No more than three typewritten pages, using 12 point font, single spaced, 1 inch margins,
addressing the following questions:

1. Briefly describe your farm/ranch operation.
2. Describe the problem you want to address. Describe your possible sustainable solution(s) and what you will do to test them.
3. Which priority area does your project address? Explain how your project relates to the selected priority area.
4. What are the objectives of your project and expected outcomes?
5. What measurements will be taken in your research or demonstration project? How will the measurements be taken?
6. What is your outreach plan - how will you share information from your project with other producers? Outreach plans may include workshops, field days, fact sheets or brochures.
7. Give an estimate of your cost for the project. Provide a short explanation of the cost figures. This needs to be brief, but should be given some thought before just writing down numbers.

2005 Priority Areas

Alternative Methods to Increase Farm Income
The Kerr Center is seeking demonstration and research projects that focus on evaluation and creation of Alternative Farm Income. Projects funded under these categories should be innovative and focus on sustainable agriculture concepts.

All projects must fit in one of the priority areas listed below. It is important to clearly show how your project fits into the selected priority area. Although your project might fit several areas, please choose only one priority area. Below each priority area are several examples to assist you in the types of projects that might fit the call for preproposals. These are only examples and you should not limit yourself to only these examples.

Alternative Crop Production Systems
$ Non-traditional Crops

• Cut Flowers
• Herbs

$ Sustainable Production Methods

• Organic
• Integrated Pest Management
• Conservation Tillage Methods

$ Conventional Crops in Non-traditional Production System

• Crop Season Extension
• Crop Rotations

Alternative Livestock Production Systems
$ Conventional Livestock in Non-traditional Production Systems

• Pastured Poultry
• Organic Beef Production

$ Sustainable Production Methods

• Rotational Grazing
• Multispecies Grazing

Alternative Marketing Methods
$ New, Innovative Marketing Channels/Techniques

• Internet Marketing
• Direct Marketing

$ Niche Marketing

• Grassfed Beef
• Agritourism

Send preproposals for the Oklahoma Producer Grant Program by October 27, 2004 to:
Alan Ware, Director of Oklahoma Producer Grant Program
Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
P.O. Box 588
Hwy 271 S.
Poteau, OK 74953
Phone (918) 647-9123
Fax (918) 647-8712
e-mail: mailbox@kerrcenter.com
Website: www.kerrcenter.com

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