North Central

Diversifying Vegetable Production and Sales with Chicory Crops

Waxwing Farm in has been growing and evaluating the feasibility of radicchio and endive as season extension crops in Minnesota.

Utilizing Cover Crops in Wide Row Corn

Bob Recker has been planting multi-species cover crops planted between wide corn rows to help improve soil health, suppress weeds, and boost nutrient cycling.

Regional Shearing Schools Cut Costs, Build Skills across the Plains

To address the shortage of professional shearers, six regional shearing schools trained 79 Northern Plains producers and youth in hands-on shearing and equipment maintenance, allowing small-flock owners to cut input costs and launch local businesses.

NCR-SARE's 2026 Heroes: Vance Haugen and Jason Rowntree

Vance Haugen and Jason Rowntree are NCR-SARE's 2026 Heroes.

NCR-SARE Regional Director Beth Nelson Retires

Dr. Beth Nelson has retired as the Regional Coordinator for NCR-SARE in February 2026.

Breaking the Cycle: Tackling Thistle and Compaction with No-Till

Sandy and Lonny Dietz used a SARE grant to identify which no-till methods could best support their diverse, organic vegetable operation.

Tunnel Systems Offer Regional Strawberry Growers a Path to Resilience

Researchers at Purdue University have been working to determine if tunnel-based systems and plasticulture could stabilize yields and improve profitability for local strawberry growers.

NCR-SARE is Hiring a Full-time Grants and Contracts Professional

NCR-SARE is hiring a Grants & Contracts (G&C) Professional 1. Please apply by June 8, 2026.

Telling the Story of Uncommon Culinary Plants: A Marketing Plan for Farmers

A step‑by‑step workbook to help farmers develop a practical marketing plan for uncommon culinary plants

Little Sprouts Garden Toolkit for Early Childhood Educators

"Little Sprouts" is a comprehensive resource designed to help early childhood educators (ECE) integrate gardening and agricultural literacy into their daily curriculum.

Ergonomic Tool Design for Farmer Well-Being and Productivity

Researchers at the University of Missouri have been working with farmers to develop resources focused on ergonomics, productivity, and farmer well-being.

Farmers' Guide to Minnesota Lending Law

256-page farmers' guide for farmers and agricultural professionals to understand farmer-borrowers rights and best practices for accessing and utilizing credit. Ordering Information Wendy Reidlawyers@flaginc.orgFarmers' Legal Action Group6 West 5th Street, Ste 650St. Paul, MN 55120Publication/product ID: n/a

Beyond the Farmer’s Market: A New Guide to Building Your Own On-Farm Store

Grace Place Farm & Gardens in South Dakota is proving that for small-scale producers, a well-placed farm store can be just as vital to the bottom line as a successful harvest. With support from an NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant, they have explored how simple digital communication combined with a welcoming on-farm store can help producers […]

Join NCR-SARE's Administrative Council

NCR-SARE has an opening for a state Department of Agriculture representative to join the Administrative Council.

Apply for a Graduate Student Grant

Proposals are due by April 16, 12pm central time.

Apply for a PDP Grant

Professional Development grant proposals are due on April 2, 2026 by 12pm central.

Nominate Your SARE Hero

NCR-SARE is accepting nominations for the NCR-SARE Heroes recognition.

Battling Herbicide-Resistant Weeds with Cover Crops

Fall- and spring-planted cover crops could suppress weeds in wheat–sorghum–fallow systems.

A Guide to Building a DIY Portable Milking Parlour

A guide to building a low-cost milking parlor with detailed plans, pictures, and part lists. This is a construction guide for a milking parlor that can be built by a novice builder that requires no special tools.

Join NCR-SARE's Administrative Council

NCR-SARE is looking for a Rural Sociologist to join the NCR-SARE Administrative Council.