The North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) is seeking nominees* for five seats on its Administrative Council (AC):
- Two farmer or rancher representatives
(NCR-SARE defines a farmer/rancher as someone who raises crops or livestock, particularly as a business.) - Two non-profit organization representatives
(Candidates must represent non-profits with demonstrated expertise in sustainable agriculture.) - One representative from a 1994 land-grant institution (1994 land-grant institutions are tribal colleges and universities designated as land-grant institutions under the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act.)
Council members must live and work in one of the 12 states that make up the North Central SARE region. Those states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. We particularly welcome nominees from Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, the four states in the North Central region with less representation on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council. However, full consideration will be given to nominees/applicants from the 12 North Central states, not limited to individuals from Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio.
NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council represents various agricultural sectors, states, and organizations. It sets program priorities and makes granting decisions for the region. A collection of farm and non-farm residents, the Administrative Council includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in our 12 states. Council members come from regional farms and ranches, university extension and research programs, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, the Administrative Council includes regional representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, state agencies, and agribusinesses.
The term for this SARE Administrative Council position is three years. Council members must attend two in-person meetings annually, typically lasting 2-3 days, held in July and February at various locations across the Midwest. Members will also review several grant proposals twice yearly and participate in a few virtual meetings throughout the year. Travel expenses for attending the Administrative Council meetings are fully covered.
Applicants should understand sustainable agriculture well and be comfortable reviewing grant proposals and participating in a group decision-making process. Members of the Administrative Council are not eligible to apply for SARE funding during their time on the Administrative Council. More information about NCR-SARE and the Administrative Council is online at https://northcentral.sare.org/about/ncr-sare-leadership-and-policies/.
To apply for a seat on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council, submit the following information using our online form at: https://tinyurl.com/SAREACform. Applications are due by 4pm Central Time on January 8, 2025.
Information we request includes:
- your areas of interest or focus in sustainable agriculture
- why you are interested in serving on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council
- a short bio or CV/resume covering your experience, affiliations, and/or qualifications
NCR-SARE is one of four regional offices that run the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, a nationwide grants and education program to advance sustainable innovation to American agriculture. Since 1988, NCR-SARE has awarded more than $100 million of competitive grants to farmers, ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others in 12 states. The SARE program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).