North Central

Fact Sheet: Soil Fertility Management for Organic Grain Production

As with many aspects of organic production, fertility management requires careful planning and a long-term outlook. A successful, cost-effective fertility management plan should minimize the purchase of off-farm inputs, while focusing on building soil health and fertility through the use of cover crops, green manures, legume cash crop phases, and crop rotation. If inputs are […]

Fact Sheet: Weed Management in Organic Grain Systems

This fact sheet outlines a range of approaches to weed management in organic grain systems. It introduces the concept of using “many little hammers” by combining multiple strategies, including crop rotation, cover cropping, variety selection, fertility management, and cultivation. The resource also describes different equipment and techniques for managing weeds throughout the growing season and […]

Outreach in Action: Solving Problems with Cover Crops

This video demonstrates how conservation professionals can apply social science and behavior change principles to agricultural outreach. The Kankakee County Soil and Water Conservation District in Illinois shares its approach to developing soil health events around the specific problems and motivations of local farmers. A farmer describes how cover crops have helped address challenges on […]

Grazing Sheep in Christmas Trees

This guide was developed by Michigan growers for implementing weed control in Christmas tree plantations with Shropshire sheep.

NCR-SARE's 2026 Youth Educator Grants

This competitive grant program awarded more than $101,000 to projects that teach young people about sustainable agriculture practices and careers.

Operation Soil Armor

This lesson introduces watershed protection through sustainable agriculture using a high-energy movement-based simulation, grounded in Manitowoc County's landscape. The game teaches students in grades 8-9 how cover crops, reduced tillage, and crop rotations act as "armor" for the earth. The following resources have been developed by Tara Wachowski in connection with this research: Manitowoc Farm […]

NCR-SARE's 2026 Partnership Grants

NCR-SARE awarded more than $1 million to 22 projects through its Partnership Grant Program.

Native Bee Habitat Management on Urban Farms in the Great Lakes Region

This pocket guide was designed to help urban growers manage pollinator habitat on farms in the Great Lakes Region.

NCR-SARE's 2026 Farmer Rancher Grants

43 projects were awarded more than $738,000 through this competitive grant program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through innovative research, demonstration, and education projects.  

Visual Grading Guide for Produce

Wholesale buyers expect consistent quality, but clear grading standards are surprisingly hard for local producers to find. Without visual benchmarks, many farmers learn through trial and error, leading to unexpected rejections and lost income on delivery day. To address this problem, regional food hub The Good Acre in Saint Paul, Minnesota, developed the Produce Grading […]

NCR-SARE Announces Retirement of Jean Andreasen and New Hire Kate Seager

After more than 16 years of dedicated service, Jean Andreasen has announced her retirement. Kate Seager will succeed Andreasen as NCR-SARE's Program Administrator.

Filling the Gap: Identifying High-Performing Summer Forages in the Nebraska Sandhills

A group of Nebraska farmers has been evaluating summer forage mix options to improve forage production, feed quality, and soil health.

Nesting Structures for Beneficial Songbirds on Midwest Farms

This publication provides guidance on installing and maintaining nesting structures for beneficial songbirds on farms.

Quality Forage with Alfalfa-Corn Silage Intercropping

In Wisconsin, Hurtgenlea Holsteins has been working with an alfalfa-corn silage intercropping system for ruminant forage.

Perennial Groundcovers in Corn and Soy Systems

Perennial groundcovers, also known as perennial cover crops, could be an economically viable strategy to limit soil and nutrient loss for row crop producers.

NCR-SARE Announces Leadership Transition for Professional Development Program

Rob Myers will be succeeded by Andy Larson as NCR-SARE’s Regional Coordinator and Director of Professional Development Programs.

Building High Tunnels Video Series in the Northern Great Plains

High tunnels give local farmers and flower growers in the Northern Great Plains a powerful way to extend their growing seasons, boost crop yields, and produce higher-quality crops. A video series from South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension features four local producers sharing practical, step-by-step advice on planning, building, and maintaining high tunnels from start […]

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.