University of Wisconsin - Extension

The USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program in the North Central Region invites producers to apply for competitive grants to research, demonstrate or educate others about profitable, environmentally sound, socially responsible agricultural systems.

"Our experience with the North Central SARE program has been excellent," said Wisconsin farmer and producer grant recipient John Cuddy. "We are grateful for the program's support of our research effort. The SARE producer grant program addresses a need for producer-initiated research."

This year marks the eleventh cycle of producer grants awarded by the NCR SARE program. A total of $250,000 is available for grants of up to $5,000 for individual producers and up to $15,000 for groups of three or more producers investigating any sustainable practice or concept.

Additional funding specifically earmarked for agroforestry projects is also available as a result of a National Agroforestry Center initiative.

"Producers know best how to make their operations more sustainable, and many producers will have to make changes this year to remain competitive" said Ken Schneider, former farmer/rancher and NCR SARE's producer liaison. "Funds from this program are available to assist farmers and ranchers who want to implement innovative practices to help generate more income and share that information with other producers."

Over 300 producer projects in 12 NCR states have been awarded at a total of more than $1 million since 1992. Projects cover a variety of topics, such as reducing off-farm inputs, testing technologies, improving water quality, educating young people or consumers about agriculture, managing weeds and pests, recycling wastes and creating viable markets for sustainable products, among a host of other issues.

"This program is unique in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its approach to on-farm research and education," said Schneider. "Producers are encouraged to initiate and carry through with their own ideas."

Applications are available from the North Central Region office beginning Feb. 15. Producers must reside in the 12-state North Central Region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Applications are due March 30. Funding decisions will be made in late-June. Funds will be available in mid-fall for the 2002 crop production season. Call 800-529-1342 or 402-472-0809, fax 402-472-0280 or send e-mail to kschneider1@unl.edu for an application. You can also find the application at http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/.

The national SARE Program began with the 1985 Farm Bill. Congress appropriated initial funds in 1988 for grants in sustainable agriculture research, education and demonstration. Funding goes to producers, scientists, educators and public and private institutions and organizations in three grant programs. The North Central Region, managed by a diverse Administrative Council, is one of four regions in the SARE Program.

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http://www.uwex.edu/ces/news

File: Sustainable, Grants

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