SPRING VALLEY - Alpa Goswami with Marbleseed in Spring Valley was awarded $118,629 for "Honoring Our Elders."

"Honoring Our Elders offers mental health support through training, cultural programs focuses on growing ancestral foods tied to lost lands, and a Farmer Ally Network. We aim to foster resilience and well-being among diverse farmer elders and caregivers," said Goswami.

This grant was awarded as part of NCR-SARE's 2024 Professional Development Program, which emphasizes training agricultural educators in extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, private and not-for-profit sectors, using farmers as educators, and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. NCR-SARE administers each of its grant programs, each with specific priorities, audiences, and timelines. The focus for each of the NCR-SARE grant programs is on research and education.

Funding considerations are made based on how well the applicant articulates the nature of the research and education components of their sustainable agriculture grant proposals.

NCR-SARE's Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, the AC includes a diverse mix of regional agricultural stakeholders. Council members hail from regional farms, ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. 

Submitted by NCR-SARE