The Quaker Simple Harvest Farmers Education Fund

Earth Pledge is launching an exciting new Farm to Table initiative, called The Quaker Simple Harvest Farmers Education Fund. Through grant support and comprehensive teaching, Earth Pledge is working to ensure the financial viability of the American farmer, the health of our local communities and the important shift towards low impact farming. Specifically, Earth Pledge is working to accelerate the transition towards low impact planting, growing and harvesting whereby carbon emissions are reduced, soil quality is much improved and the production of crops is cleaner and healthier. This program is made possible due to a grant from Quaker Simple Harvest.

Application Process:

Our goal is to support a diverse range of farmers - from size to crop to location. Beginning in Summer 2008, we will begin accepting applications for grants on a rolling basis. They will be reviewed quarterly and evaluated based on the completed form below.

Grant Application Form

Application deadline: 10.15.08
Future application deadlines will be in 2009 - please return for upcoming details.
To submit an application, please download the word document and email to info@earthpledge.org or fax to us at 212.725.6774.

Contact Information:

Name 

Name of Farm 

Address 

Phone 

Email 

Password 

(Use your email & password to pull up this application again and amend it if you need.)

Project Information

  1. Please describe the intended project and how it will help your farm to become more sustainable.


  2. What is the estimated cost of the project? Please include a rough proposed budget.


  3. Do you have other sources of funding for the project, and/or how much of your own funds will be contributed to the project? Please be specific.


  4. How much time will the project take to implement?


  5. Please describe how your project pertains to our three areas of focus: conservation tillage, nutrient management, and/or grassland management.


We'd like to hear about the relationship you have to your location and community.

  1. Description of location (county, township, range, section, etc.)


  2. What is the size of your farm or pasture/rangeland?


  3. Describe your marketing strategy. Are you operating with any special certifications or methods? (e.g. organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, etc.)


  4. What kinds of farms are found in your area (type and approximate size)?


Infrastructure:

  1. Describe your farm equipment/ facilities, including greenhouses and farm ponds.


  2. Describe your record keeping system for tracking all crop inputs and production.


  3. Do you routinely check for residues/pesticides?


  4. List any crop monitoring equipment and/or practices.


Food Safety/Traceability

  1. Describe the protocols you use for food safety and traceability.


  2. What agricultural production/food marketing problems would you like to address?


  1. Describe your methods for monitoring the health of your crops and soils.


  2. Do you grow crops in monoculture or in an annual or intensive rotation? If you grow crops in rotation, please describe your rotation schedule.


  3. Do you apply compost or other organic amendments? If so, please describe.


This next section addresses croplands, pasturelands and rangelands. Please complete the following sections where they apply to your land.

Croplands:

  1. Please describe your fertilization schedule, including type and amount of fertilizers applied and frequency.


  2. Describe your weed and pest control practices.


  3. Describe how you handle crop residues (e.g. remove, leave on ground, incorporate into soil).


  4. Have you ever tested your soils to determine nutrient levels? Do you sample regularly? If so, please describe.


  5. Do you have a written nutrient management plan?


  6. Do you take any preventative measures to reduce soil compaction?


  7. Do you irrigate? If so, please describe your irrigation schedule.


  8. If you irrigate, do you adjust your irrigation rates for nutrient and pesticide applications?


  9. Describe any and all animal/fish/livestock aspects of your operation, including aquaculture programs. Do any of these portions of your operation hold any special marketing certifications? (i.e. organic, breed certifications, natural, etc.)"


  10. Describe your waste and manure management practices for this portion of your operation.


  11. Are any of the following a part of your current management practices? If so, please describe, including how often and over what size area.
    • Conservation tillage (maintaining at least 30% of the soil surface covered after planting)
    • No-till
    • Use of cover crops to reduce bare fallow
    • Use of crop residues
    • Use of buffers, borders or barriers to reduce erosion and prevent sedimentation



Pastureland/Rangeland:

  1. Describe the size of your livestock operation (types of animals and numbers).


  2. Describe your methods for monitoring the health of your forage plants and soils.


  3. Describe the species composition in your pasture or rangeland (single species, grass mixture, grass-legume mixture).


  4. Do you apply compost or other organic amendments? If so, please describe.


  5. Do you use fertilizers? If so, please describe your fertilization schedule, including type and amount of fertilizers applied and frequency.


  6. Do you have a written nutrient management plan?


  7. Do you apply pesticides? If so, please describe including type and amounts applied and frequency.


  8. Describe your weed control practices.


  9. Have you ever tested your soils to determine nutrient levels? Do you sample regularly? If so, please describe.


  10. Do you irrigate? If you, please describe your irrigation schedule.


  11. If you irrigate, do you adjust your irrigation rates for nutrient and pesticide applications?


  12. Do you take any preventative measures to reduce soil compaction?


  13. Describe your manure management practices.


  14. Describe your grazing schedule and rest periods.


  15. Do you have a written grazing management plan?


  16. Do you have adequate grazing on site to meet the needs of your livestock?


  17. Do you reseed? If so, please describe.