Funding for the program comes from both state and federal sources. Projects will be funded competitively after final funding levels are known, with funds available by this summer. The funds are available to county, state and federal agriculture and natural resource agencies; colleges and universities; nonprofit organizations; grazing networks; and farmers using managed intensive grazing.

 

“This program has strong support at both the state and federal level,” said Laura Paine, program coordinator at the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. “We have a good track record of effective projects funded by the Wisconsin Grazing Initiative. Education grants help fund the activities of grazing networks and allow organizations and agencies to conduct grazing schools, workshops, and conferences on management intensive grazing, whereas technical assistance grants provide funds for grazing specialists to work one-on-one with farmers to develop their grazing system.”

 

The research program requires farmer involvement from planning onward. On-farm projects are especially encouraged, but research can be conducted as University of Wisconsin farmer-assisted projects as well.  “We’ve supported a wide range of research projects from environmental performance to irrigation,” Paine said. “The key is to make it relevant to the farmers’ needs.”

 

Materials for the 2010 grant application are available on the department’s web site.  Go to www.datcp.state.wi.us/arm/agriculture/land-water/grazergrant/index.jsp or to the DATCP home page (www.datcp.state.wi.us) and search for "grazing grants." Questions can be directed to Laura Paine at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov.