Producer Grant Review Criteria

All funding of Producer Grants is awarded competitively and more proposals may be submitted than receive funding. The proposal will be less competitive, or may not be funded at all, if it doesn’t conform to the requirements in the Call for Proposals. Refer to an archived Call for Proposals for more information.

Upon closure of the grant deadline, proposals receive a technical review by the Producer Grant Committee of Southern SARE’s Administrative Council, the program’s governing body.

The Producer Grant Committee evaluates the proposal using the following weighted criteria. Refer to the Producer Grant Scoring Rubric for an easy printable copy of the review criteria.

Review Criteria
Qualifications of the Applicant	5
Statement of the Problem	15
Statement of the Proposed Solution	15
Approaches and Methods	25
Timetable	10
Outreach Plan	20
Budget	10
Total	100 points

Qualifications of the Applicant (5 points) – The review committee must make sure the applicant is qualified and has the experience, skills, knowledge and resources to complete the project. Make sure the applicant describes the farm operation and their role on the farm. Any internet links of the farming business (website, social media, etc.) is helpful in the review process.

Statement of the Problem (15 points) – A clear description of the production/marketing problem the applicant and/or other farmers are facing. The Statement of the Problem should indicate how the problem is related to, or affects, sustainable agriculture and discusses why the problem needs to be addressed. The explanation should address one or more of the three pillars of sustainability: Farmer profit, environmental conservation, and community quality of life. Cite results from other studies, including SARE-related projects, as evidence of the need to address the problem is a plus.

Statement of the Proposed Solution (15 points) – The Statement of the Proposed Solution is the identification of the research question and objectives. It is the opportunity to identify whether the new approach is an improvement over the current problem. The solution should be specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic. The Statement of the Proposed Solution is a clear statement of what the applicant expects the outcome of the research project to be. A description of the proposed solution to the problem and its relevance to sustainable agriculture should be included. The solution, whether new and creative or builds on existing knowledge, should lead to a more sustainable outcome.

Approaches and Methods (25 points) -- The proposed solution to the problem being addressed should be specific and measurable. The Approaches and Methods section is where the applicant will test expected outcomes through a research experiment or an observational study. The section should outline:

• The site where the research will be conducted;

• An experimental design, if the research calls for one;

• What the applicant will be measuring and the ways the applicant will be measuring it;

• The materials and supplies being using to conduct the research;

• How the applicant will collect data, how often, and what tools will be used;

• How the applicant will analyze the data, and what tools the applicant will use;

• How the applicant will interpret the data and draw conclusions.

The Approaches and Methods should demonstrate how the solution works in addressing the Statement of the Problem. It should be specific in describing project activities. The Approaches and Methods should be clear, well designed and thought out so that useful and applicable results can be obtained.

Timetable (10 points) – The timetable is an outline of project activities in a chronological timeline that states where, what, when and how long it will take for the applicant to perform the research. The timetable should be an outline of work to be completed from project start date to project end date. The timeline should be specific in describing project activities, including any recordkeeping throughout the research. Look for the outreach plan in the timetable. The timetable should demonstrate that the project can effectively be completed in the time provided based on the research proposed.

Outreach Plan (15 points) -- Southern SARE requires an outreach component to research grants to ensure that project results are shared with farmers and ranchers, reach diverse audiences, and have the widest possible benefits for the community in furthering sustainable agriculture across the Southern region.

The applicant must indicate an outreach or educational plan for the project. Outreach plans may include workshops, field days, on-farm demonstrations, farmer training, online training efforts, curriculum development, videos and webinars, educational publications, journal articles or presentations at meetings or other events.

The outreach plan should be well thought out and a benefit to its intended audience. The methods for implementing the outreach plan should demonstrate their effectiveness in reaching farmers and ranchers.

Budget (10 points) – The budget is a list of allowable expenses required to conduct the project. The items in the budget should align with the Approaches and Methods. The budget must be itemized and include a justification for each allowable item listed. Refer to the budget checklist for reference. The amount requested should be reasonable and realistic.

Once the Producer Grant Committee completes its technical review, it meets virtually to discuss fundable proposals, and then again at the February Administrative Council (AC) meeting to select fundable projects. Those are then presented to the full Administrative Council for funding.

By March grant applicants are contacted regarding the status of their proposal, and a summary of the review comments for the proposal are provided.  If awarded a Producer Grant, the applicant is required to sign a contract with University of Georgia prior to receiving any funds. Budgets are also reviewed and, if needed, revised to conform to allowable costs. If applicants sign the contract, they agree to conduct the activities outlined in the proposal and fulfill all grant requirements, including reporting. Any changes in budget or activities must receive prior Southern SARE approval. Grant funds are paid by reimbursement of allowable project expenses. Awardees must keep receipts of their expenditures for three (3) years after project completion.