The following NIFA Request for Applications may be of interest to you. Jill Heemstra and Rick Stowell have a current project funded by this RFA and may be good contacts for additional information.
Approximately $19 million will be available to support training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers in fiscal year 2012.
Applications are requested for two types of projects: (a) Standard Projects: to new and established local and regional training, education, outreach and technical assistance initiatives that address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers in selected areas; and (b) Educational Enhancement Projects.
To help develop seamless beginning farmer and rancher education programs by conducting evaluation, coordination and enhancement activities for Standard Projects and other non-funded beginning farmer programs. The deadline for submitting applications is November 22, 2011.
More information about the program and the grants writing webinar can be found on the BFRDP website: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/beginningfarmerandrancher.cfm
-- Rick Koelsch