Our Grant Programs
North Central Region SARE administers several grant programs, each with specific priorities, audiences and timelines. The focus for all of NCR-SARE grant programs is on research and education. Funding considerations are made based on how well the applicant articulates the nature of the research and education components of their sustainable agriculture grant proposals.
NCR-SARE's Grant Programs:
Farmer Rancher Grant Program
NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grant Program is a competitive grants program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. Generally:
- Farmer and Rancher Grant awards can be individual ($7,500 maximum), partner ($15,000 maximum), or group ($22,500 maximum) grants.
- Projects may last up to 25 months.
- About 50 projects are funded each year.
Farmer Rancher grants have funded a variety of topics including pest/disease management, crop and livestock production, education/outreach, networking, quality of life issues, marketing, soil quality, energy, and more.
Research and Education
Research and Education projects include a strong outreach component and significant farmer/rancher or other end user involvement from inception of the idea through implementation of the project. Generally:
- Research and Education grant awards range from $10,000 to $200,000.
- Projects may last up to 36 months.
- NCR-SARE funds about 8 to 12 Research and Education projects per year.
Many projects are interdisciplinary and/or multi-institutional, involving a broad range of agricultural interests. Project coordinators in the past have explored sustainable agriculture under the following topics: biocontrol, crop production, education/extension, networking, livestock production, marketing, quality of life, soil quality, value-added marketing, waste management, water quality, and weed control.
Professional Development Grant Program
NCR-SARE's Professional Development Grant Program supports state professional development programs and competitive grants for training agricultural professionals.
Professional Development Program (PDP) competitive grants emphasize training agricultural educators in extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, private, and not-for-profit sectors, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. Generally:
- Professional Development Program awards range from $30,000 to $75,000
- Projects may last up to 36 months.
- About 5-10 projects are funded each year.
Applicants are educators who often represent, but are not limited to, Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and non-profit groups.
Graduate Student Grant Program
NCR-SARE’s Graduate Student Grant Program is a competitive grant program to fund graduate student projects that address sustainable agriculture issues. A candidate may only receive one NCR-SARE Graduate Student award during her or his graduate student career. Generally:
- Graduate Student Grant awards can be up to $10,000.
- Projects may last up to 36 months.
- At least 15 projects are funded each year.
Funded proposals have contributed 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 students to involve farmers and ranchers in their Graduate Student Grant Program projects.
Youth Educator Grant Program
Youth Educator grants are an exciting new part of the Farmer Rancher Grant program. Their purpose is for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum.
