Proposals for grassroots projects due by Oct. 5

Since 2002, the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) have jointly administered a grants program for projects that strengthen both agriculture and communities by connecting sustainable agriculture to community development. County Extension centers, farm support organizations and community development agencies (local, state and regional) are among the agencies eligible to apply for SARE/SRDC "Sustainable Community Innovation Grants" of up to $10,000. Among the project concentrations awarded program funding in recent years are nutrition classes and educational materials supporting local agriculture, farmland protection initiatives, and aquaculture, farmers market and agritourism projects. The next deadline for proposals is Oct. 5. All proposals must be submitted online.