North Central

Strawberry Chat Podcast

Strawberry Chat is a virtual discussion about strawberry production at small and diversified farms in Indiana and neighboring states. The hosts, Wenjing Guan and Miranda Purcell of Purdue University, invite guests to discuss activities that happen at the time of the year and cover different production systems. URL: https://anchor.fm/strawberrychat

Strawberries: Season Extension

This University of Minnesota publication shares the experiences of two farmer who tried growing day neutral strawberries in high tunnels using a table top system. It shares their experiences in the areas of production, yield and marketing, with a budget analysis. The farmers are Todd and Tracy Linbo, of Double T Acres, and Aaron Wills, […]

Diagnostic Tools for Honey Bee Diseases

Diagnostic Tools for Honey Bee Diseases is an interactive website designed to train beekeepers and veterinarians in honey bee medicine. It includes photos of honey bee diseases and clear instructions for known diagnostic methods for honey bee disease. Lessons include step by step instructions, common mistakes and even fun games to solidify learning objectives. This […]

Organic Field Crop Production Videos

The following videos walk farmers through sustainable concepts and practices for organic weed control, including crop rotations and cultivation techniques. The videos highlight farmer perspectives on these topics and are part of a larger organic field crops course, available at https://courses.organicagronomy.org. Designing a Crop Rotation The concept of crop rotation is not new to organic […]

Forest Farming in Missouri An Overview of the Production of Non-Timber Forest Products

"Forest Farming in Missouri" is comprehensive guide to forest farming written to support landowners, producers, and professionals interested in this practice

Raising Brix to Beat the Bugs: an Organic Strategy for Grasshopper Control

North Dakota farmer Glendon Philbrick is working to increase Brix levels—the sugar content in plant sap—as a strategy for managing grasshoppers.

Experimenting with Camelina: A Farmer-Led Look at Rotation, Oil, and Opportunity in South Dakota

In South Dakota, Art and Jennifer Walker have been exploring winter camelina as a sustainable rotational crop alternative.

Netting for Better Apples: A Sustainable Alternative to Thinning and Pest Control

In Michigan, researchers and apple growers have been testing the use of exclusion netting as a non-chemical thinning method.

NCR-SARE's 2025 Heroes: Jack Erisman and Edgar Hicks

Jack Erisman and Edgar Hicks have been named the 2025 Heroes.

Tarping for Weed Control Guide: A Low-Till Strategy for Vegetable Growers

This guide outlines methods of tarping use for weed management and provides information on tarp implementation and installation.

Winter High Tunnel Salad Mix Varieties Tested

Franklinton Farms tested different types of salad and lettuce greens to see which grew best in their high tunnel in Ohio. The goal was to find top performers for small-scale growers.

South Dakota Innovators Build Affordable DIY Roller-Crimper

Ryan Schmid with the Ecdysis Foundation worked with farmers in South Dakota on a do-it-yourself guide and videos for repurposing a disc into a low-cost roller-crimper.

Heirloom Corn Brings Flavor and Potential to Craft Distilling in Illinois

In Illinois, farmers and researchers investigated the potential of growing heirloom corn varieties specifically for use in craft spirits production.

Bringing Burgundy Truffles to Indiana

Mimi and Evan Kokosaka are developing Indiana's first large-scale truffle orchard, cultivating Burgundy truffles with oak seedlings.

Cedar Valley Innovation Advances Wide Row Cover Crop Practices in Iowa

In Iowa, Bob Recker has been comparing cover crop vigor in wide (60'' or 90'') row corn plots versus traditional (20'' or 30'') row plantings.

Tenth Street Orchard Tests Sustainable Strawberry Production Methods in Kansas

With SARE support, Tenth Street Orchard compared soil health and profitability of annual plasticulture and a combination plasticulture/matted-row system for strawberry production in central Kansas.

Saint Louis Beekeepers Enhance Queen Rearing Practices

The Saint Louis Beekeepers are providing regionally adapted, survivor-stock queens and nucleus colonies to local beekeepers.

Nebraska Ranch Enhances Winter Livestock Feeding with Fodder System

Near Omaha, Nebraska, Bill Alward received SARE support to incorporate a fodder system on his small integrated livestock operation.

NCR-SARE is Hiring a Full-time Regional Director

Application deadline will be April 25, 2025.

Apply for a Graduate Student Grant

Proposals must be submitted by 4pm central time, May 29, 2025.