Funding sustainable farming - Missouri event offers guidance

By Blake Jackson

While sustainable agricultural practices like cover cropping and diversified grazing offer numerous advantages for small farms, including increased resilience against unpredictable weather and a contribution to a more stable food system, adopting these practices can be challenging due to the high initial costs and complexities involved in changing established methods.

Here's some good news for Missouri farmers looking to overcome these hurdles: Missouri Business Alert is hosting a free webinar on Friday at noon specifically focused on finding funding for implementing sustainable practices in agriculture.

The session will be led by Dan Downing, a Missouri coordinator for SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education North Central). Downing, with his extensive experience working within the Missouri agriculture industry, will provide valuable insights and guidance on:

• Types of sustainable agriculture practices: Learn about various techniques you can implement on your farm, such as cover cropping, diverse crop rotations, and integrated pest management, all aimed at improving long-term soil health and farm productivity.
• Available funding programs: Gain insight into existing financial resources available to support the adoption of sustainable practices, including grants and cost-share programs specifically designed to help small farms transition towards a more sustainable approach.
• Crafting a successful grant proposal: Mastering the art of writing compelling grant proposals is crucial for securing the necessary funding. Downing will offer practical tips and guidance on writing clear, concise, and impactful proposals that effectively communicate your sustainable farming goals and convince grant reviewers of the value your project brings to the agricultural community.

By attending this informative webinar, small farms in Missouri can gain valuable knowledge and resources to navigate the financial landscape of sustainable agriculture, unlock its potential benefits, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev