Northeast SARE Seeks Applications for Committees
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is a federal competitive grants program that supports projects aimed at enhancing the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of farming. SARE relies on a diverse group of individuals from across the agricultural community to provide leadership that will keep our program innovative and responsive. To that end we invite people to apply to serve on our Administrative Council and Technical Committee.
The Administrative Council (AC) is Northeast SARE’s leadership committee. A primary function for members is the review and evaluation of grant proposals, and members also provide input and advice to guide program or policy development. The AC has two multiday meetings each year, in February and July.
Currently we seek two farmer representatives to our AC, especially farmers with experience in aquaculture, grain production, or urban agriculture, although those with other agricultural experience will be considered.
We also seek an AC representative from an agricultural business that has farmers as primary clientele. This could be someone from a fertilizer or seed company, a private crop consultant or veterinarian, custom applicator, farmers’ cooperative, or other agricultural related business.
Candidates must understand and support sustainable agriculture; they must have direct experience working with farmers; and they must appreciate the need for a range of approaches to research and education in order to serve different types of farmers and communities engaged in a wide range of activities. Candidates must also work in the Northeast region, which is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.
Technical Committee (TC) members from many fields of agriculture are also needed. SARE grant proposals cover a wide range of topics related to agriculture in the Northeast, and TC members review and thus help select the proposals that SARE funds. The TC does most of its work using conference calls and e-mail.
Travel and other expenses associated with participation in both the AC and TC are covered by SARE. For more information about Northeast SARE see www.nesare.org.
Candidates for the AC should submit an application that includes: 1) a cover letter that describes why they wish to serve and what they would bring to the Northeast SARE program, 2) a brief resume or a couple paragraphs describing their relevant background and experience, and 3) a profile of the farm they operate or the business they work for. Send applications via e-mail by January 20, 2017 to Northeast SARE Coordinator Vern Grubinger, at vernon.grubinger@uvm.edu. If you have questions about the nomination process or the duties, please call (802) 656-0471.
Candidates for the TC should submit a description of their agriculturally-relevant experience, specific subject matter expertise, and their full contact information to Northeast SARE Program Manager, David Holm, at david.holm@uvm.edu. He will contact each interested applicant with more information.
New AC members are elected by the current members of the Council. Northeast SARE often receives applications from many qualified candidates, and there is a limited number of AC seats that are available each year. Candidates not elected to the Administrative Council are invited to join the Technical Committee.
Northeast SARE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or marital status.