Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/590163
46 NOVEMBER 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com G rowers face myriad hurdles— diseases, pests, weeds, Mother Nature, and fickle consumers, to name just a few—to growing their crops and remaining sus- tainable year after year. Growers also often solve these problems themselves, or with the help of extension researchers and educators. But did you know there's grant money available to help research and develop these solutions? The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Center is a competitive grant pro- gram that funds projects to advance innova- tions in sustainable agriculture. Since 1988, SARE has funded more than 5,000 projects with grants for farmers, ranchers, extension agents and educators, researchers, nonprofits, students, communities, and others. These are research grants, so there has to be a researchable question. Previous grants have paid for studies of alternative techniques for control of apple replant disease, rodent con- trol in orchards with raptors, and biological control of pear pests. "Farmers are innovative," said Teryl Roper, regional coordinator of the Western SARE based in Logan, Utah. "They are always think- ing of new, easier, better, and cheaper ways to do things because it's in their best interest to do those things, and sometimes they need a little cash to prove that their idea will work." SARE doesn't install irrigation systems or buy tractors or build buildings, he said. But SARE can lease equipment for the duration of a project or buy consulting expertise, such as pay for analysis, to prove a research question. In the West, SARE has had very few appli- cants among the tree fruit industry and would like to see more, Roper said. "We want to see innovation. We want people who are thinking out-of-the-box ways to improve the sustain- ability practices on their farms." Western SARE funds five different grant programs. Two are of specific interest to growers: —Under the farmer/rancher grant pro- gram, individual producers or a team of pro- ducers apply to conduct on-site experiments with a goal of improving their operations and the environment. Research is conducted with the support and guidance of a technical advi- sor and is shared with other producers. —The partnership or professional-plus-pro- ducer grant program allows an agricultural professional—a cooperative extension educa- tor or Natural Resources Conservation Service professional—to coordinate the project, while a farmer or rancher serves as the project advisor. A minimum number of producers is required to be involved with the project. In the West, the deadline for proposals for these two programs is December 2. For dead- lines in other regions or more information, visit www.sare.org. A SARE program exists in each of four regions. • Grants available to growers Western SARE wants more applications from tree fruit growers. by Shannon Dininny The most comprehensive tree fruit conference! Over 200 Exhibits • Yakima Valley Sundome • Yakima Convention Center Live Session Feed • From Convention Center • WSTFA breakout meeting rooms Free Parking Free Shuttle to and from Convention Center View list of vendors and venue maps at nwhortexpo.com The largest horticulture show of its kind in the Northwest! Yakima Valley Sundome and Yakima Convention Center December 7–9, 2015 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 8:30am–7:30pm 8:30am–5pm 8:30am–12 noon Sponsored by the Yakima Pomological Club and the NCW Fieldman's Association Held in conjunction with the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting 2015 NW HORT EXPO 2015 NW HORT EXPO 2015 NW HORT EXPO