Request Financial Support for an Event

Support Goal: To help Local Level Partnerships build capacity and sustainability while advancing adoption of soil health practices, especially by farmers not currently in a soil health system.

Outreach efforts must have a component for reaching new audiences.

Support may be:

Monetary support to supplement other local sources and sponsors.
Booking and funding speakers for specific events
Logistical assistance
Promotional assistance

New Audience examples include (but are not limited to):

Farmers who are not currently using soil health systems or in the beginning phases of adoption
Non-operating cropland owners
Lenders, Ag Retailers and other Influencers of crop/land management decisions

Qualifying components to reach new audiences may include (but are not limited to):

Marketing and outreach strategies to reach target demographics
Speakers and/or content that will resound with target audience

Working with non-ICP or new partners is critical to reach new farmers. Examples:

Working with local ag retailers (i.e. cover crop seed suppliers, chemical and fertilizer dealers, independent dealers, etc.) and influencers (i.e. consultants, ag lenders, etc.) in developing content, sponsoring events, and marketing strategies
Partnering with new(er) individuals and groups, such as local ag groups (local Farm Bureau, Indiana Pork, Indiana Corn/Soy), NGO Projects (like TNC Upper White), Pheasants Forever, etc.

Applications Accepted (beginning February 2025)

February 1-28
May 1-31
October 1-31

Applicants Informed

March 15
June 15
November 15

Event Support Guidance

Event Support Score Sheet

Event Support Request Form

We highly recommend reaching out to the CCSI Program Manager in your respective region to discuss your event before requesting support. A formal submission may not be necessary.

1. Lead Organization(s)

2. Working Title for Event

3. Date / Estimated Date of Event

4. Have the organizers received financial support from CCSI, including paying speaker fees/travel for an event in the last 2 years?

5. Funds requested, if known

6. Who is your target audience? Be specific.

If the target audience is farmers, what type? No-tillers? Heavy tillage? Cover crop curious? Livestock?

7. What do you want the audience to walk away thinking / doing?

Try to think in terms in moving them down the road of their soil health journey 1-2 steps. For example, in an area of heavy tillage + confined livestock production, the answer might be something along the lines of USING their nutrient management plans and THINKING about using cover crops.

8. Why will they want to come? What is it about the content that will interest them?

For example, in areas of high irrigation use, topics revolving around improving irrigation efficiency might pique their interest. The event could not only have information about using cover crops, but also information on improving infiltration and water availability.

9. What non-ICP / new partners are included in part of the planning process, if any?

Whether groups like local chapters of Indiana Farm Bureau, co-ops, or banks – involving groups that have trusted relationships with new audiences such as “middle adopters” in the planning process (not just sponsors) can be very helpful in reaching those newer audiences.

10. How will you advertise / make sure your target audience knows about the event?

Personal text/phone/email invitations and reminders are encouraged.

11. How will you measure event impacts?

How will you know attendees might try or stick with new practices or have attitudes changed? Surveys? Number of new applications for conservation programs?

12. Will this program include information on CRP-type practices?

CRP-type practices include pollinator strips, wildlife habitat, woodland edge feathering, etc.

Name of Contact

Phone

Event Support Request Form

We highly recommend reaching out to the CCSI Program Manager in your respective region to discuss your event before requesting support. A formal submission may not be necessary.

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