LOOKING FOR FARM EXPERIENCE

Recent Brown graduate is looking for opportunities to get further involved with farming. Specific area of interest is the challenges involved in bringing local food to urban areas. Candidate's ultimate aim is to eventually establish a food education outreach program that will bring local food to urban centers while educating people about various aspects of the entire food cycle- from soil to fork. View resume for candidate's academic, work, and volunteer experience. Contact info: Jeffrey Hutchison. E-mail: JeffreyHutchison@gmail.com. Phone: (401) 440-6904.

SUMMER HELP WANTED

Small family farm in Saunderstown, RI is seeking applicants interested in summer work. We produce vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and diversified small livestock (bees, chickens, sheep and hogs). We are seeking hard working, reliable, enthusiastic and honest summer help to assist with all aspects of a small farm operation.

Dates: Full time seasonal summer position available.

Hours: Monday-Friday, with weekend chores on a rotating basis. Specific hours vary.

Responsibilities: Summer Help will be involved in all aspects of farm work which includes: landscaping and lawn care, bed preparation, seeding and transplanting, weed control, insect and disease control. We are looking for individuals who are excited about sustainable farming and who are up to the challenge of the physically demanding schedule, tasks, and pace of the farm season. Ideally, you are flexible & personable, have a great sense of humor, and can be happy working both independently, and as a part of a farm crew. He/she will be supervised by and work closely with the farm manager.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a serious interest in agriculture. They must be able to take on the physically challenging schedule and tasks of the farming season. Farm or landscape experience is preferred by not required. A valid driver's license and ability to lift 50 pounds are required.

Please send resume and cover letter to: Farm Manager:lunacypollen@gmail.com.

LOOKING FOR PART-TIME MILKER

Ashaway dairy goat farm is looking for a part-time student help. Duties include milking 18 dairy goats in the afternoon Saturdays thru Wednesdays beginning in April. Some experience preferred, but will train the right applicant. Applicants must have own transportation to & from the farm. If interested please send information to jlyork13@gmail.com or call Jen at 401-213-6648..

LOOKING FOR FARM HELP FOR 2009 GROWING SEASON

Mostly organic vegetable and fruit farm in Little Compton will be looking for all kinds of help this summer: farmer's market assistants, field help, tractor drivers, value added pickling help, etc. If interested, contact Skip Paul. E-mail: skippaul@cox.net.

NRCS CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS (CIG)

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces the availability of program funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year (FY) 2009 designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Up to $20 million is available for the National CIG competition. Funds will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process with applications accepted from all 50 States from all eligible non-federal government or non-government organizations or individuals, including federally recognized tribes.

Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by close of business March 2, 2009.

To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/.

To apply electronically visit: http://www.grants.gov/. For more information about NRCS conservation programs online, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov, or E-mail , call, or visit the Rhode Island NRCS office:
NRCSInfo@ ri.usda.gov
(401) 828-1300, ext. 8
60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46
Warwick, RI 02886

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS & ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS GRANT PROGRAM FOR RURAL FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

This grant is being made available by the USDA to rural farmers and small businesses to provide financial assistance for purchasing renewable energy systems or making improvements that reduce energy consumption. The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living is working with USDA to help rural farmers and small businesses take advantage of this program. Click here for more information.

SARE FARMER GRANTS

Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, or other technique. A technical advisor--often an extension agent, crop consultant, or other service professional--is required as a project participant. Projects should seek results other farmers can use, and all projects must have the potential to add to our knowledge about effective sustainable practices. For more information, visit the Northeast SARE Website or contact your extension agent.

SARE PARTNERSHIP GRANTS

Partnership Grants are reserved for agricultural service providers--extension and NRCS staff, consultants, state departments of agriculture, and others working in the agricultural community--who want to conduct on-farm demonstrations, research, marketing, and other projects with farmers as active cooperators. For more information, visit the Northeast SARE Website or contact your extension agent.

SARE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY GRANTS

Sustainable Community Grants make a direct connection between community revitalization and farming. Projects must address specific key issues such as farm finance, marketing, land use, water use, enterprise development, value-added product development, or other delineated topic areas. To apply, you must be affiliated with Cooperative Extension, NRCS, a municipality, a state department of agriculture, a college or university, a community organization, or other institutional entity. For more information, visit the Northeast SARE Website or contact your extension agent.

SARE RESEARCH & EDUCATION GRANTS

The Research and Education program funds outcome-based projects offering research, education, and demonstration projects that engage farmers as cooperators in the exploration of sustainable farm practices. Projects should be directed toward research results that will translate quickly into farmer benefit, and farmers, extension staff, and other stakeholders should be involved in planning project content. For more information, visit the Northeast SARE Website or contact your extension agent.

SARE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

The Professional Development program funds outcome-based projects that train Cooperative Extension educators and other agricultural service providers in sustainable techniques and concepts. Projects must be directed toward increasing the skill and understanding of these service providers, and be consistent with SARE's larger goal of broad farmer adoption of sustainable practices. For more information, visit the Northeast SARE Website or contact your extension agent.

SARE AGROECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH GRANTS

The Agroecosystems Research Grant program funds long-term research that explores the ecological interactions that are the basis of sustainable agriculture. The emphasis is on projects that improve understanding of these interactions and to promote new models of farming that future farmers can adopt. For more information, visit the Northeast SARE Website or contact your extension agent.