2005 Year in Review

Grant Writing Workshop -- September 8

Source: Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (217) 968 5512; cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu; Author: Debra Levey Larson

There is money available through grants, but writing the proposal can sometimes be the biggest barrier to getting it. "Sometimes it has to do with being able to understand what the funds are targeted for and to be able to write a proposal so that it fits the guidelines. It's like applying for a job. You have to know what the employer is looking for," said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, research specialist with the University of Illinois Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP) and North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR SARE) coordinator for Illinois. "ASAP has offered grant writing workshops for several years to help people apply for grants. They have a need or an idea and we help them learn how to write an appropriate grant so they can get the funds."

The Montgomery County Extension office in Hillsboro will host a grant-writing workshop on Thursday, September 8 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A light supper will be provided. The workshop, including supper will cost $10 per person.

Information will be presented on the basics of grant writing and specifics on grants available through the NCR SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (AgriFIRST, Specialty Crop Grant Program and the C-2000 Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program), as well as resources that are available for small businesses.

During the last hour of the workshop Cavanaugh-Grant and Kim Janssen from the Illinois Department of Agriculture will be available to provide assistance to individuals who are working on writing a grant so participants are encouraged to bring along any rough drafts or other application materials.

For more information, contact Kelli Bassett (217-532-3941; kbassett@uiuc.edu).

by  Editor, theCity1.com
August 2, 2005