Dear Colleagues,

The Western Extension Risk Management Education Center, (Western Center), in conjunction with the Northeast, Southern, and North Central Centers is announcing two competitive funding opportunities for educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. 

The Western Center seeks applications from qualified public and private groups, organizations, and institutions including land grant colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, other colleges and universities, and other public and private entities with a demonstrated capacity to develop and deliver results/impact-based risk management education projects for agricultural producers and their families. The Western Center serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. 

The 2021 funding opportunities are as follows:

ERME RFA

This funding opportunity focuses on educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. Proposed programs need to address any of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human. The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $50,000.  The Western Center will consider applications in two categories: 1) 18-month Education Projects (awards of up to $50,000) to be conducted between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022 and 2) 18-month Exploratory Projects (awards of up to $5,000) to support planning, development, and piloting efforts that are expected to lead to a future educational project (project period of April 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022).

ERME PRODUCERS UNDERSERVED BY CROP INSURANCE RFA  

This funding opportunity is specifically designated for the delivery of risk management education to agricultural producers underserved by the Federal crop insurance program; with proposed educational programming that aligns with one or more of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human.   The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $100,000 for 18-month projects to be conducted between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022. 

To apply, please review the Western Center website at https://westrme.wsu.edu/, and select “Funding” from the dropdown menu followed by “Apply for Funding” for either funding opportunity, or click on the funding opportunities from the Home page. All applications must be submitted online through the Results Verification System (RVS).  Proposals are due by 5 PM, PST, Thursday, November 19, 2020.

For additional information regarding the two funding opportunities, please contact Jo Ann Warner, 509-477-2168, warnerj@wsu.edu or Shannon Neibergs, 509-335-6360, sneibergs@wsu.edu.

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)