Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund grant applications

Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund accepting grant applications until Oct. 1

The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund (DGSHF) knows that the creativity and ideas of farmers, ranchers, teachers and students can often exceed the budget available for special projects. DGSHF is now accepting applications for grant funding made available to organizations, projects, people, and initiatives that are advancing soil health and regenerative agriculture.  The fund was established to promote educational practices related to soil health and regenerative agriculture, including but not limited to no-till farming, water conservation, tree conservation and planting cover crops.

Established as an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation, DGSHF raises funds to award grants twice per year that support education and programming for youth, current and future farmers, ranchers and others directly involved in agriculture in Nebraska and surrounding states.

A volunteer fund advisory committee that determines grant awardees prioritizes projects supporting current and future growers (adults or youth) in adopting practices that address water quality and soil health, such as cover crops, reduced tillage, complex crop rotations and nutrient management to reduce soil erosion, nutrient run-off and greenhouse gas emissions.

Past DGSHF grants have supported organizations such as No Till on the Plains, UNL Extension, Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District and the Northeast Community College’s agronomy field day.  Other grants have been awarded to youth centered projects and programs including City Sprouts which supports urban students with interests in agricultural careers, the Battle Creek FFA chapter and Central City High School for the benefit of a student’s scientific research program on the effect on land management technique on soil aggregation and the soil microbiome.

Ag teachers, agriscience innovators, educators, current and future farmers and ranchers are urged to apply for a DGSHF grant. Applications are being accepted now with a deadline of Oct. 1, 2024, for an award of up to $1,500. The application is a quick and simple one-page online form available at https://go.unl.edu/dggrant

Questions may be directed to Randy Pryor, UNL Emeritus Extension Educator and Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund Advisory Chair at .