Minnesota NCR-SARE (North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education) has travel and mini-grant funding available for educators (Extension, NRCS, state agency and nonprofit personnel) to receive training in sustainable agriculture.

Mini-grants. The mini-grant program has been revised for 2008, and up to $2,000 in funds per project (approximately $12,000 total available for 2008) are now available to provide training programs in sustainable agriculture for educators. Applications are being accepted now and will be reviewed at the end of each month, beginning April 30, 2008. Funds will be available to spend beginning May 31, 2008. We are open to all ideas, but specific training needs identified by the Minnesota advisory committee were: conservation tillage, alternative system livestock management, small farm issues, season extension, sourcing local food for events and meetings.

Travel Scholarships. The travel scholarship program offers funding of up to $500 for an educator to attend a conference, workshop or field day to increase knowledge about a sustainable agriculture practice or system. Scholarship applications are reviewed by a Minnesota SARE advisory committee, and are limited to one per educator per year, and awarded on a first come, first served basis.

For more information and online application forms for both the Minnesota mini-grant and travel scholarship programs, go to: http://www.misa.umn.edu/Application_Information.html

Please contact Beth M. Nelson, 612-625-8217 or schre002@umn.edu with questions.

-Beth Nelson Minnesota NCR-SARE and Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA)

411 Borlaug Hall

1991 Upper Buford Circle

St. Paul, Minnesota 55108

612-625-8217 or 800-909-6472

schre002@umn.edu