|
|
|
|
|
The USDA's North Central Region (NCR) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has awarded more than $30 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. Project abstracts can be found by searching the national SARE database.
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. The mission of the North Central Region's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is to create and manage a system designed to encourage the involvement of farm and non-farm citizens in the process of discovery and learning that leads to achieving a more sustainable, environmentally benign agriculture. This is congruent with the national legislation which created the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) research and education program now entitled "Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education" and the joint USDA/CSREES, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research and education program entitled "Agricultre in Concert with the Environment (ACE)". Core Value: The sustainability and well-being of all aspects of agriculture and those communities that support agriculture. Click here to read more about NCR-SARE's core ideologies. The 12 NCR states — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin — have a rich agricultural history. The region embodies what most people think of when they envision the Heartland ... endless rows of corn, strong family traditions, quaint rural towns. The Heartland is this, and much more: highly diversified farms, urban-rural partnerships, community-supported agriculture ... The NCR’s challenge has been to hold fast to historical roots in a contemporary manner, preserving its place in the front lines of food production and promoting healthy food systems. From the wheat and cattle of the high plains to the dairy farms and orchards of the northeast; from the corn, soybeans, and tall grass in our center to horticulture in the Ohio River Valley; from community-supported agriculture to farm cooperatives region-wide, the NCR’s agricultural landscape is large and diverse. The region’s cultural history, agricultural prowess, and innovative new systems behoove us to enhance rural areas and support healthy, productive farms and ranches. SARE strives to sustain NCR agriculture by encouraging research and education on profitable and environmentally sound systems that strengthen communities. The NCR funds 50 to 75 cutting-edge projects every year in four grant programs. NCR Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, the AC includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in our 12 states. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, regional representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and NCR agribusinesses, state agencies, and foundations sit at the table to distribute grant money. Regional control means projects are need-driven and funds are invested in answering the right questions. The Council not only serves as the grant decision-maker, but also promotes sustainable agriculture by providing policy direction and initiating new programs. Council members elected to directly support farmers and ranchers with grant funds in 1992. They created SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grant Program exclusively for farmers and ranchers conducting on-site research and education in sustainable agriculture. In 1997, to encourage development of viable markets for regional farm products, the Council initiated a special call for proposals on innovative marketing strategies. The call resulted from marketing "roundtables," which brought together producers, educators, nonprofit representatives and others to discuss obstacles to marketing sustainable products and how NCR-SARE could help overcome those obstacles. Through grant-making and other initiatives, NCR leaders have supported and illuminated connections between people, communities, and natural resources, promoting healthy food systems in the North Central Region. Three 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. State Strategic Plans — Since 1994, the AC has allocated money to each North Central Region land grant institution to help implement a strategic plan in sustainable agriculture. For example, one of Missouri’s state plans — Sustaining People through Agriculture — sponsored seminars, workshops and trade shows to boost rural communities and farm families. State Sustainable Agriculture Conferences — The AC designated funds in 1996 to support state or multi-state meetings on sustainable agriculture. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan pooled funds to hold a conference entitled Profitable Farming in a Changing Environment, which featured speakers, discussion groups, poster sessions, and workshops. Promoting Diversity — In 1997, the AC awarded four special Diversity Enhancement grants for Native American communities to implement sustainable practices and concepts on reservation lands. This initiative is intended to open doors and forge partnerships with Native American land grant universities. In 2007, NCR-SARE released its first Diversity Call for Proposals. Future NCR-SARE initiatives will encourage more participation of minority groups and under-served communities. Bioenergy — An important role for NCR-SARE, consistent with the organization’s core values, is to ask: (1) How sustainable are current biofuels efforts? And (2) How can SARE contribute to the vision and development of a truly sustainable bioenergy future? The AC will vigorously support energy-use-efficiency (including all aspects of energy conservation), strive to help identify bioenergy ideas and technologies that are truly sustainable, and actively participate in balanced discussions regarding the sustainability of current bioenergy investments. Read more about NCR-SARE and Bioenery. Request publications on our program, including annual reports, lists of funded projects, fact sheets, and other information pieces on SARE and sustainable agriculture. We also provide copies of individual grant reports. Present SARE and sustainable agriculture to your group with a display, featuring NCR projects, photos, and a graphic defining sustainability. Select from a wide variety of sustainable agriculture experts. NCR-SARE can assist in paying their way to your conference or meeting with our Speakers' Bureau funds. We can refer you to other sustainable agriculture organizations or contacts in your area of interest or geographic region. Find information on the national SARE program, including brochures, publication information from SARE Outreach, and other print and electronic resources.
|
