November 5, 2012

The North Central Region Sustainable Research and Education program annually awards grants to projects that will advance research and education in sustainable agriculture. Proposals for the SARE youth and producer grant programs are due in November.

Youth educator grant proposals, due November 15, focus on education programming that introduces new farming and ranching options to children, parents, and community members.

Farmer-rancher grant proposals, due November 29, concern on-farm research and demonstrations into sustainable agriculture topics such as pest/disease management, crop and livestock production, and marketing.

Previous producer grant recipients in Nebraska have included Branched Oak Farms and Shadowbrook Farm who used it to learn how to produce cheese. Another grant went to a Bladen producer who used it to evaluate the use of cover crops and has since developed a cover crop seed business. More Nebraska grant recipients are listed on the SARE website (http://www.sare.org/Grants/Funded-Grants-in-Your-State).

If you would like help preparing a proposal, contact Gary Lesoing, UNL Extension educator and Nebraska state coordinator for SARE, at 402-274-4755 or gary.lesoing@unl.edu. Workshops can be scheduled at the request of an Extension Educator or someone who has people interested in help with the process.

Kristina Jackson
IANR News