Professional Development Program
The Western SARE Professional Development Program (PDP), begun in 1994, administers grants aimed at helping Cooperative Extension Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service and other agricultural professionals within agencies and nonprofit organizations increase their understanding of and proficiency in sustainable agriculture. The program strongly encourages cooperative learning opportunities involving both producers and professionals.
The program is based at the University of Wyoming with coordination from throughout the western region. Members of the PDP team are Coordinator Jim Freeburn and Associate Coordinator Al Kurki, Accounting Associate Joleen Pantier and Office Assistant Jill West.
Jim and April are headquartered in Torrington, Wyoming at the Goshen County Resource Center, Joleen is on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie, and Al is near Helena, Montana.
In addition, the PDP staff works with 17 State Coordinators in the region's 13 states and four Pacific island protectorates.
The Western SARE Professional Development Program is committed to serving the educational needs of sustainable agriculture in the Western region. If you have questions, observations or concerns, we want to hear them. Please contact us.
Apply for a PDP Grant
PDP Competitive Grants Program Call for Proposals and Application
Materials for State Coordinators
Downloadable sample forms intended as examples or templates for state/protectoratecoordinators who use mini-grants or travel scholarships as educational tools for agricultural professionals. Job description can also be found here.
About the PDP
The variety and breadth of PDP grants reflect the geographic and agricultural diversity of the far-flung Western Region.
State Coordinators
A state coordinator represents each of the thirteen states and four U.S. Pacific island protectorates that are part of the Western region. The state coordinators assist in promoting sustainable agriculture locally through noncompetitive state grants operated through SARE's Professional Development Program and through promotion of SARE-funded project results.
State and Protectorate Pages
Short profiles of state/protectorate educational activities, products and outcomes in sustainable agriculture, using Western SARE PDP funds.
Fellows Program
SARE-sponsored professional development program.