Northeast SARE Outcome Funding and

Grant Writing WorkshopTom Morris & Janet McAllister

Delaware State UniversityMay 25, 2011

nesare.org1

Proposal Narrative

Includes 4 Subsections:1.Problem Description2.Solution and Benefits3.Beneficiaries4.Project Approach

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1. What’s the Problem?There must be a well-defined problem

at the center of all project proposalsThe problem section in the narrative must describe: •The problem and its cause(s) - JUSTIFY with DATA•Where it occurs, what type of agriculture affected, e.g., type and number of farms, their ranges of sales or net income, acreage, herd size, number of employees – JUSTIFY with DATA•The quantity or value of agriculture affected, e.g. in acres or dollars, etc.; the cost to environment, social fabric of farm families/communities – JUSTIFY with DATA Sources of data: literature citations, work of others, farmer surveys, Extension surveys, census data, etc.

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Example Problem StatementCover crops offer many well-known potential benefits for maintaining soil health on vegetable farms, including organic matter enrichment, weed suppression, nutrient recycling and nitrogen fixation. However, despite significant investments by Cooperative Extension, NRCS, SARE, and others to promote their adoption, cover crops are not widely used by vegetable farmers in New England. The 2007 Ag Census reports there are over 3,000 vegetable farms with 40,000 acres. A 2009 survey by New England Extension asked 400 of these farmers, on farms of all sizes, about cover crop use; only 24 (10%) of the 240 respondents used cover crops routinely on their farms and only 48 (20%) said they felt confident about making appropriate cover crop choices for their farms. 4

Example Wording of Resultsfrom Survey completed by PI at

Extension MeetingA survey completed by the author during an extension meeting of vegetable farmers about weed control in February 2010 showed: 30 of 40 farmers completed the survey and only 10% of the 30 (3 farmers) routinely used cover crops on their farms and only 20% said they felt confident selecting appropriate cover crops for their farms.

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Practice Time• Write an example problem description• Okay to place a _______ or XX as a

placeholder where you would insert an important piece of data, such as a XX acres, or XX dollars, XX farmers

• Okay to place (reference) where you would include a citation from literature, census data, farmer or educator surveys, etc.

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Remember…

Don’t leave reviewers guessing about:• The problem and its cause(s)• Where it occurs, what type of agriculture affected• The quantity or value of agriculture affected

And…Justify with literature citations, work of others, farmer surveys, Extension surveys, census data, etc.

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2. What’s the Solution?

The solution section in the narrative must describe:• The solution to the problem• The benefits expected to farmers from this solution –

JUSTIFY with DATA• Known or anticipated obstacles or challenges that will

need to be addressed to encourage the adoption of the recommended solution by farmers

Sources of data: literature citations, work of others, farmer surveys, Extension surveys, census data, etc.

Every project must propose a solution; tell reviewers about it

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Example Solution DescriptionThis project will engage New England vegetable farmers in a program of education and research about cover crops and cover cropping innovations that emphasizes the multiple benefits of cover crops (30 lbs N/acre saved at $0.50 per lb or $15/acre; legume N additions of up to 120 lbs/acre or $60/acre; maintenance of soil organic matter). Farmers currently planting cover crops will teach about the benefits and challenges of cover crops. Throughout the education and research program, the top management constraints to cover crop usage will be addressed, such as timing of seeding, mowing/killing, establishment, and rotations; on-farm demonstrations will show how constraints can be overcome, and a cover crop decision tool will be provided to farmers with hands-on training in the use of the tool.

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Practice Time• Write an example Solution description• Okay to place a _______ or XX as a

placeholder where you would insert an important piece of data, such as a XX (number) acres, or XX (number) dollars, XX (number) farmers

• Okay to place (reference) where you would include a citation from literature, census data, farmer or educator surveys, etc. 10

Remember to…Explain for reviewers:• The solution to the problem• The benefits expected for farmers• Known or anticipated obstacles or challenges the

project will address

And…Justify where appropriate with literature citations, work of others, farmer surveys, Extension surveys, census data, etc.

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3. Who will Benefit from the Solution?

The Beneficiaries:• Participate and Learn throughout the milestones • Then take action to achieve the performance target• Must be engaged early and supported throughout • Vary according to type of grant:

– R&E beneficiaries are farmers– PDP beneficiaries are agricultural service

providers who teach farmers

Every project must have a defined target audience who will benefit from the project

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The Beneficiaries, cont.The beneficiary section in the narrative must

describe:• Number and type of farmers (R&E) or Ag service

providers (PDP) who will engage as participants• Their interest in solving problem and willingness to

participate in project• Two example beneficiary profiles

Use data from surveys to demonstrate interest by farmers or Ag service providers

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Example Beneficiary Description R&EThe primary beneficiaries will be 50 commercial vegetable farmers in VT, MA, CT and RI who operate farms of all sizes, from 5 to 500 acres, as the benefits of cover cropping apply to farms of all scales, and most of the technology employed will be relatively scale neutral. Interest in cover crop education among the region’s vegetable farmers is high, as evidenced by the 2009 survey of 400 vegetable farmers in New England, which included farms of all sizes. 180 (75%) of the 240 farmers who responded expressed an interest in learning more about cover crops and how to integrate cover crops into their vegetable production systems.

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Example Beneficiary Profiles R&EDavid operates a 140-acre diversified vegetable farm. He is conscious of the compaction that results from his frequent tillage operation and is aware of how cover crops could improve his soil health and condition. Although not an organic grower, David strives to use only the amounts of fertilizer and pest control chemicals necessary. Finding a legume cover crop, or crops, that could reduce his nitrogen fertilizer usage, and at the same time improve his soil condition would be a win-win scenario for David, but he is not sure of what cover crop species to try, and what is the best time and place to introduce a cover crop into his rotations.

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Sarah is a small-scale organic vegetable grower who makes her living from her 6-acre farm. She has exceeded the P limit of her soils by applying too much compost and now obtains most of her nitrogen from other sources, primarily organic fertilizers. However, the cost for organic nitrogen fertilizer is high and incorporating a legume cover crop in rotations to provide nitrogen is an attractive strategy for her. But Sarah’s land base is limited and she cannot afford to have long fallow periods in her production fields. Sarah is interested in testing some new legume species that might fill niches in her rotations and allow her to take advantage of their benefits.

Example Beneficiary Profiles R&E

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4. What Approach Will You Use?

The project approach section in the narrative must describe:

• Steps for recruiting and initial engagement of participants

• Education topics to be taught – what knowledge, skills do beneficiaries need to learn

• Educational delivery methods, types of activities, sequence

• Support mechanisms for beneficiaries as they learn and take action

The project approach must be capable of leading beneficiaries to the desired change

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Approach: Summary of Milestones• Paragraph introducing educational program • Must be consistent with Milestones• Must be consistent with budget

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Projects with Research

The Approach must include:• How findings from research will be integrated into

education program

Include as attachments:• Detailed research plan with treatments,

experimental design, data to be collected, etc.• Plot plans, flow charts, diagrams, etc.

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Example Approach DescriptionAfter gauging the current knowledge, practices, and desired benefits of cover crops among vegetable farmers, we will offer webinars to increase participants understanding of cover cropping options and the goals of the project. Lead farmers will establish on-farm demonstrations; research trials will be set up at three University farms that will complement the on-farm demonstrations; workshops will be held at all sites for participants to learn best practices and identify cover crops that will work on their farms. Farmers will receive templates for data collection. Winter meetings, webinars, short videos, and project team site visits over two years will support adoption and adjustment of cover crop practices. 20

Questions?

www.nesare.org

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