Mini Grants

The Wisconsin Sustainable Agriculture Professional Development Program is making mini-grants available to Extension Educators for programming in sustainable agriculture. 

Who can apply?  UW Extension county agriculture educators may apply for a grant.  Collaborative projects with partners such as county land conservation departments, technical college staff, the Department of Natural Resources, or Resource Conservation and Development groups are encouraged. 

What is the maximum grant amount?  You can apply for up to $1,000 through the SARE mini-grant program.

What is the application process?  You should fill out the mini-grant application form and e-mail it to Diane Mayerfeld at dbmayerfeld@wisc.edu.  Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.  Please allow at least 30 days for a decision on your application. 

What kinds of project are eligible?  The project must

• address the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of an aspect of Wisconsin agriculture and
• promote the professional development of agricultural educators. 

Examples of possible project types include

• organizing a workshop or field day focused on a sustainable agriculture topic,
• setting up a demonstration of a sustainable agriculture practice,
• establishing a new network of farmers and educators to explore or promote an aspect of sustainable agriculture.

If a significant proportion of your project audience will be educators, then the project will satisfy the professional development requirement.  If your primary audience will be farmers, then the project should address a program focus that will be new for you, and you must have a plan for sharing the results with your colleagues in order to satisfy the professional development requirement. 

What is the review process?  Your application form will first be reviewed by the Wisconsin SARE coordinators, Diane Mayerfeld and Fred Madison, who will contact you with any questions and make a recommendation for or against funding to the Wisconsin Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Task Force, which will make the final decision concerning funding.  The following criteria will be used in the review:

• Does the project promote sustainable agriculture?
• Will the project result in new knowledge or skills for educators?
• Is the project well thought out and feasible?
• Will the project measure its impact?
• Will the project be completed within a year of receiving the grant?

How will the money be given out?  The money will be provided on a reimbursement basis or invoices will be paid through the ANRE Program.  Cindy Blackburn at (608) 263-7320 will handle the reimbursements and payment of invoices. 

Questions?  Comments?  Please contact Diane Mayerfeld at (608) 262-8188 or dbmayerfeld@wisc.edu or Fred Madison at (608) 263-4004 or fredmad@wisc.edu.