April 30, 2006

Researchers throughout the North Central Region of the U.S. can now apply for grants that promote unique sustainable agriculture practices.  The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program has announced their annual call for preproposals to fund research and education programs in sustainable agriculture.  The NCR-SARE Research and Education grant program is an excellent opportunity for collaboration between universities, extension offices, farmers, ranchers, and non-profit groups.  The program awards annual grants ranging between $10,000-150,000 to approximately eleven recipients per year.  The North Central Region consists of twelve states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

In Minnesota, recent NCR-SARE R&E grant awards are funding research on dairy compost barns, “green” tourism campaigns that supports local food use, radio “minutes” on the Farm Network for diverse agricultural production and marketing practices, research on sustainable beekeeping, and the development of guidebooks for producers to explore poultry and dairy production options.

The current call for research and education preproposals is available through the NCR-SARE web site .  Please be sure to download the 2007 call, since preproposal content and format requirements have changed significantly. Also note that hard copies of the preproposal must be received in the new St. Paul NCR-SARE office by 4:30 p.m. CDT on June 20, 2006.  Individuals may also request the preproposal form or more information by contacting Bill Wilcke  612-625-8205.

About 35 preproposal authors will be invited to submit full proposals for fall 2006.  Full proposals will be evaluated for their technical merit and relevancy.  Funded proposals are expected to contribute to farmer or rancher profitability, environmental quality, and the enhancement of the quality of life of farmers or ranchers, rural communities, and society as a whole.  NCR-SARE strongly encourages applicants to involve farmers and ranchers in their projects.

The NCR-SARE program receives its funding through the United States Department of Agriculture.  Previous project reports are made available to the public through the national SARE web site . 

For more information contact:

North Central Region – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program

Phone: 612-625-8205
www.sare.org/ncrsare

ncrsare@unl.edu