How To Conduct Research Webinar Presentation

How To Conduct Research Webinar Presentation

1. Testing Sustainable Ag Ideas on the Farm Southern SARE Grant Opportunities for Farmers/Ranchers www.southern.sare.org

2. Candace Pollock-Moore Southern SARE Producer Grant Program Manager University of Georgia, Griffin Campus [email protected] Paul Vincelli Southern SARE 1862 land-grant liaison University of Kentucky [email protected]

3. What is SARE? Authorized in the 1985 Farm Bill and is part of USDA’s NIFA program Supports sustainable agriculture practices through research and education. Three ”P”s of sustainability: profit, places, people Primary tool is competitive research grants www.southern.sare.org

4. Producer Grants For farmers and ranchers in the Southern region interested in conducting on-farm sustainable agriculture research to solve farming and ranching challenges. Farmers must be full-time or part-time Supports historically underserved farmers/ranchers and farmer groups Only one proposal per applicant per grant cycle Does not pay farmers to farm www.southern.sare.org

5. Producer Grants Awards up to $20,000 for individuals, and $25,000 for farmer organizations; Expenses are reimbursed. Must have at least $1,000 in documented annual income to qualify.  No restrictions on farm size  No restrictions on length of time in farming Funds two-year projects.

6. Call for Proposals Grant process begins with the Call for Proposals. Proposals open September of each year. Selected proposals are awarded the following March. Call for Proposals downloaded from the Southern SARE website ( http://www.southern.sare.org ); intended as a guide for application requirements. Proposals are submitted online in the SARE Grant Management System (the link to apply is found in the Call).  Call for Proposal sections: Basic Information, Body of Proposal, Outreach Plan, Budget www.southern.sare.org

7. Select a Research Topic Visit SARE Projects Database for funded projects: https://projects.sare.org/search-projects/ Research existing literature on your idea Make sure topic focuses on sustainable agriculture SARE supports new, innovative ideas, or alternatives/new solutions to existing farming practices Focus areas in Call for Proposal www.southern.sare.org

8. Preparing Your Proposal: Basic Information Project title: Title of project Farmer/rancher contact information: Name, address, phone. Tell us about your operation. Project Cooperators: A person involved in project planning, data collection, or outreach. Can be another farmer, Cooperative Extension, researcher, NGO. State: Where project will be conducted. Project start date: Projects always start on April 1 of the awarded year. Project end date: End date is two years from the start of the project. www.southern.sare.org

9. Preparing Your Proposal: Body of Proposal Statement of the Problem :  Discusses the problem, why the project is being conducted, and how it relates to or affects sustainable ag.  Statement of Proposed Solution: Discusses the solution to the problem being addressed. Approaches and Methods: Outlines the approaches for conducting the project.  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Asks whether the project supports underserved audiences. Timetable: The steps taken to complete the project. www.southern.sare.org

10. Preparing Your Proposal: Budget Refer to the Budget Checklist when putting together the budget.  Be mindful of allowable and non-allowable items. Remember to itemize expenses in each budget category. Detail the reasons for each item requested.  SARE does not require matching funds. www.southern.sare.org

11. Budget: What SARE Funds; Funds Cost of sampling; data analysis Equipment rentals Materials or supplies Outreach expenses Travel for the project Hired labor (yourself or others) Refreshments for outreach www.southern.sare.org

12. Budget: What SARE Does Not Fund Doesn’t Fund Buying equipment or land Starting a farm/business; expanding existing farm/biz Livestock/bees; orchards or vineyards Permanent farm improvements/capital investments, such as buildings, irrigation systems, greenhouses, solar panels Breakfasts, lunches or other full meals Testing commercial products Costs incurred for producting grant-required reports.

13. Preparing Your Proposal: Outreach Plan An outreach plan is required for Producer Grants. Outreach plans ensure that the project results are shared with farmers/ranchers or other members of the community to further sustainable ag efforts across the region.  Outreach plans can include: Videos/video series Webinar Field day Educational publications/resources www.southern.sare.org

14. How to develop a research project Identify your research question (what is your research idea that you want to test on your farm?) Develop your hypothesis Decide what you will measure, how you will measure it, and what data you will collect (control vs. treatments) Develop an experimental design based on the location/plots you’ve chosen. Implement the project based on your timetable. Collect research data, making observations and keeping good records. Analyze the data through statistical analyses. Interpret the data. Do the results answer your hypothesis? If not, draw conclusions and make recommendations on future research (this helps others build on your work by conducting their own projects)

15. Writing a Strong Proposal Follow the instructions in the Call for Proposals Include clear goals on sustainable ag and expected outcomes Include collaborations/partnerships Be clear on the statement of the problem; the “what”, “why” and “who cares”; sound research methods Meet grant requirements Well thought out outreach plan Realistic budget that aligns with Approaches and Methods Don’t be afraid to discuss your idea with others Ask other people to look at your proposal before submitting it Demonstrate knowledge of known literature Start early; Don’t wait last minute to submit Ask questions! www.southern.sare.org

16. How Your Proposal is Reviewed Producer Grant Committee reviews proposals upon grant closing date. Meets by teleconference call to discuss projects to be funded. Convenes at the February AC meeting to select fundable projects; presented to full AC for funding. Applicants notified in March via email on the status of their proposal. Committee looks at the following criteria: Sustainability of the project. Approaches and Methods: If the goal of the project is clear and applicable results can be obtained Outreach Plan: Effectiveness of reaching its intended audience Budget: Amount is reasonable and realistic and clear on what funds will be spent on www.southern.sare.org

17. Grant Release Schedule September 2024: Call for Proposals Released November 2024: Grant proposals due February 2025: Projects selected and awarded April 1, 2025: Grant projects officially begin For questions or more information, contact Candace Pollock-Moore at [email protected]