September 14, 2007

The North Central Region (NCR) SARE program of USDA is currently accepting applications for its Farmer Rancher Grant Program.

It has allocated about $400,000 for this program for 2007. Competitive grants of up to $6,000 are available for individual farmers and ranchers, and grants up to $18,000 are available for groups of three or more farmers from separate operations who are interested in exploring sustainable agriculture.

Farmers and ranchers are invited to submit proposals that test, evaluate and adapt sustainable agriculture practices for their operations; conduct learning circles, educational events, field days or demonstrations to further disseminate information to farmers/ranchers; develop new technologies; or create or modify equipment.

The North Central Region (NCR) consists of 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Farmers and ranchers from these states are eligible to apply for grants from the NCR-SARE program. Farmers and ranchers from other states are eligible to apply if their proposed projects benefit the NCR at least as much as they benefit other regions.

During the past 15 years the program has awarded 635 grants to farmers and ranchers studying a variety of topics, such as rotational grazing, livestock systems, crop production systems, urban and rural waste management, weed control, alternative uses for CRP land, biological weed and pest control, organic farming, marketing, quality of life, water quality, and soil conservation.

The deadline for grant proposals is Dec. 3. For application requirements and details on how to apply, visit the NCR SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program Web site, call 1-800-529-1342, or email ncrsare@umn.edu.