Department Offers Grants for Innovative Agriculture
Sustainable Application Deadline: Nov. 30, 2004
October 19, 2004

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)-Missouri farmers have only a few more weeks to submit applications to demonstrate innovative agriculture techniques. Applications for 2005 grants are being accepted through Nov. 30 for projects that have the potential to increase profit, reduce off-farm inputs, provide environmental benefits and add value to local communities.

"The goal of the Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program is to support and encourage innovative thinking in our agriculture community," says Peter Hofherr, director of Missouri Department of Agriculture. "Helping producers advance their farming systems to make them more profitable and reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources is a 'win-win' scenario."

The Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Award Program, sponsored by MDA in partnership with the Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Extension Program of the University of Missouri, provides opportunities for farmers to evaluate and test sustainable agriculture practices on their farms, and share their results with other farmers. Past grants have allowed producers to experiment with projects using solar power to heat high tunnel hoop houses, raising crawfish on reclaimed wetlands, and producing mite-resistant honey bees. To learn more about previous grant recipients and their projects, visit http://agebb.missouri.edu/sustain/msada/queries/index.idc.

Since 1995, over 230 Missouri producers have received funding through the program. For 2005, there are 14 grants of up to $3000 each available. Three of the grants focus on agroforestry (integrating trees and shrubs into agriculture systems) and are offered through a cooperative agreement with the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry.

Any Missouri farmer or agricultural producer may apply for the grant. For a complete listing of guidelines or to obtain an application, visit www.mda.mo.gov or contact Joan Benjamin, program coordinator with the Missouri Department of Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Program, at (573) 522-8616 or via e-mail at Joan.Benjamin@mda.mo.gov.

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., Nov. 30, 2004.

Heather Elder
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Heather.Elder@mda.mo.gov