Strategic Initiative Grants
Strategic Initiative Grants are targeted mini-grants that the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) gives to its member organizations to advance NSAC’s priority policy objectives. They are awarded for enhanced or additional activities that would not otherwise happen as part of an organization’s regular budget, and they carry with them a commitment to report and share results with NSAC staff and all of the other NSAC organizations.
Implementing NSAC’s 2008 Farm Bill wins and communicating about them with farmers and other grassroots stakeholders presents an important opportunity to advance the policy goals of our coalition and expand the membership base of our movement. Therefore, 2008 SIG grants will promote targeted grassroots engagement and action on farm bill policy wins, including implementation and appropriations outreach and organizing. 2008 SIG grants will also encourage participation in the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service State Technical Committees.
2008 SIG grantees are as follows:
California Farmlink, Sebastopol, CA, and Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) Salinas, CA – $3,000
To conduct a direct mailing in English and Spanish to encourage constituent letters supporting the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account Program; organize and accompany two beginning farmers on trips to meet with policymakers; and write guest editorials in six key newspapers.
Dakota Rural Action—Center for Rural Affairs (DRA-CFRA), Brookings, SD – $3,000
To engage members in farm bill implementation activities; hold joint constituent meetings in South Dakota about Farm Bill programs; distribute CFRA’s farm bill guide for beginning farmers and ranchers; and undertake media efforts in South Dakota.
Delta Land & Community (DLC), Almyra, AR – $1,300
To conduct one-on-one meetings with farmers and leaders of sustainable agriculture organizations to increase awareness about programs in the 2008 Farm Bill, and assist groups of producers with proposal development for 2008 Farm Bill programs.
Ecological Farming Association (EFA), Watsonville, CA – $1,300
To create of version of the SAC Farm Bill Guide to share with Eco-Farm Conference participants, distribute Farm Bill alerts, and hold a Farm Bill Workshop.
Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA), Rochester, IL – $1,300
To increase the number of Illinois farmers applying for and receiving Value-Added Producer Grants.
Kansas Rural Center (KRC), Whiting, KS – $1,300
To conduct “organic transition” workshops at conferences; develop Farm Bill factsheets; and support implementation of the Conservation Stewardship Program in Kansas.
Land Stewardship Project (LSP), Montevideo, MN – $700
To participate in Food Desert meeting in Washington D.C, and track the USDA’s Local Food Systems Study.
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG), Belchertown, MA – $1,300
To produce online, print, and group presentation materials about the 2008 Farm Bill and conduct advocacy trainings.
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), Columbus, OH – $300
To allow OEFFA staff to participate in the Ohio State Technical Committee.
Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) Pittsboro, NC – $1,300
To conduct grower meetings throughout Alabama and Mississippi, collaborating with local leadership.
Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (WSAWG), Austin, NV – $975
To assess WSAWG members interest in new Farm Bill programs, and opportunities for advocacy during farm bill implementation; conduct workshops in rural Nevada on programs in the 2008 Farm Bill; and invite new organizations to become members of WSAWG and SAC.
Member organizations will be alerted in Spring 2009 about the opportunity to apply for the next round of grants. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Susan Prolman at sprolman@sustainableagriculture.net.