Grant Writing Workshop: Part 1
Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, Working Landscapes and Stephen Ussery, founder of Stewards Unlimited for a Farmer Focused Grant Writing Workshop!
We highly recommend to attend both of these sessions to deepen your understanding of grant writing for farmers.
This virtual workshop is designed to demystify grant writing for farmers. Hosted by Stewards Unlimited, this session will guide you through the essentials of identifying, applying for, and managing USDA and other agricultural grants. With expert advice tailored to agricultural needs, farmers will learn practical strategies for crafting compelling proposals, maximizing funding potential, and overcoming common application challenges. Whether you're new to grants or seeking to enhance your skills, this workshop will empower you to confidently secure funding for your farm projects.
The Grant Writing Workshop will include two sessions which will take producers through the process of evaluating a funding opportunity, designing a relevant project, compiling an accurate budget, and communicating how their idea matches the goals of the funding program. The sessions will take participants through the process of designing a competitive project for the Business Builder grants from the USDA Regional Food Business Centers, but the skills and process could be applied to any grant opportunity.
In the first session (January 9th), we will cover topics such as:
Fundamental grant preparedness
Reading a grant solicitation document
How to develop a project strategy
Where to start with a budget
As a part of this process, we will brainstorm uses of the Business Builder Grant funding together and everyone will create a list of potential budget items which are relevant for their particular operation. Participants will leave the first session with homework to go and get quotes together for their budget items in preparation for the second session.
This workshop will take place virtually, on Zoom!
Stewards Unlimited is a business development consultancy which specializes in USDA grant writing. SU works with individuals and organizations across the US to research opportunities, develop strategic project plans, and secure funding through proposal development.
With over 15 years of collective experience in aiding farm and food businesses to grow with confidence, the Stewards Unlimited team focuses on developing a long-term growth strategy which is then implemented in simple-to-understand steps. Stewards Unlimited has leveraged experience with over 150 clients to advise on business development and secure millions of dollars in funding.
Our biggest passion is working with farmers to increase their profitability and ability to access new markets. We want to be stewards, taking what they have built and leveraging it to create new growth. A steward takes on ownership of work and treats each resource as if it were their own to be invested wisely. As stewards, we seek to be helpful, trustworthy, and competent in every interaction with clients.
Working Landscapes is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build healthier, more sustainable lives and livelihoods in North Carolina by stewarding our natural and cultural assets. In 2023, Working Landscapes launched its Climate-Smart Project thanks to funding from the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Program. Over the next five years, 85 farmers across the state and East Tennessee will be enrolled to receive technical and financial assistance in implementing Climate-Smart Practices, such as mulching, prescribed grazing, composting, and cover cropping.
About Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture: Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture helps build an equitable, sustainable High Country local food system by supporting producers and cultivating community connections that educate, inspire, and increase the demand for local food. This workshop is part of BRWIA's 2024 CRAFT Summer Workshop Series. Blue Ridge Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) cultivates meaningful mentor relationships between aspiring and experienced farmers. We believe that the educational and professional development of tomorrow’s growers and producers informs the health of our diverse local-food system and rural economy. Check out our other workshops and events for producers at brwia.org/craft.