Got a great sustainable agriculture idea? Why not get support to try it out!

The 2011 North Central Region SARE Farmer Rancher Grant and Youth and Youth Educator Grant call for proposals are now available. Consider applying if you have the idea for a sustainable agriculture project.

North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) is one of four regional offices that run the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, a nationwide grants and education program to advance sustainable innovation to American agriculture. NCR-SARE offers competitive grants and educational opportunities for producers, scientists, educators, institutions, organizations and others exploring sustainable agriculture in America’s Midwest.

NCR-SARE has awarded more than $40 million worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states.

NCR-SARE goals

The goals of the NCR-SARE are to foster site-specific, integrated farming systems; satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental quality, natural resource conservation and the integration of on-farm and biological resources; enhance the quality of rural life and support owner-operated farms; protect human health and safety; and promote crop, livestock and enterprise diversity and the well-being of animals.

Competitive grant programs

These main grant programs provide funds for sustainable agriculture projects:

  • Research and Education Grants. Awarded to multi-disciplinary teams of researchers, producers, educators and others exploring sustainable agriculture.
  • Farmer Rancher Grants. Awarded to farmers and ranchers for on-site projects in sustainable agriculture.
  • Professional Development Program Grants. Awarded for educational programs in sustainable agriculture practices and concepts for Extension, NRCS and other agricultural professionals.
  • Graduate Student Program Grants. Awarded to graduate students studying sustainable agriculture in the North Central Region.
  • Youth and Youth Educator Grants. Youth and Youth Educator Grants are part of the Farmer Rancher Grant Program. The purpose of the Youth Grant Program is to provide opportunities for youth and youth educators in the North Central Region to learn more about sustainable agriculture.

Michigan has been very successful in receiving both Farmer Rancher and Youth and Youth Educator grants from the NCR-SARE program. We have received 96 farmer and rancher grants totaling $747,069. The Youth and Youth Educator grant program has two funding opportunities – one for youth educators and one for K-12 youth. Michigan has received six youth educator and six youth grants in this relatively new program.

Please consider applying for these grants. The Farmer Rancher Grant and the Youth and Youth Educator Grant calls for proposals are now posted on the
SARE website, along with news releases announcing each call.

If you have a Facebook page that you use, you can share the information via Facebook from the
NCR-SARE Facebook page by clicking the "Share" link under each of the stories.

If you have any questions, please contact NCR-SARE Michigan State Co-Coordinators Dale Mutch or Dean Baas.

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