The North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) is seeking nominees for two seats on its Administrative Council (AC):
- One Farmer or Rancher Representative
Must actively farm or ranch in the North Central region. - One Experiment Station Representative
Must be a University experiment station administrator or faculty member.
NCR-SARE Administrative Council members must live and work in one of the 12 states that make up the North Central SARE region. Those states are IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, and WI.
NCR-SARE's Administrative Council represents various agricultural sectors, states, and organizations. It sets program priorities and makes regional grant decisions. Made up of farm and non-farm residents, the Administrative Council includes a mix of agricultural stakeholders across our 12 states. Council members come from regional farms and ranches, university extension and research programs, and nonprofits. The Administrative Council also includes regional representatives from 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 attend two in-person meetings a year, typically 2-3 day meetings in February and July at various Midwest locations, and participate in a few virtual meetings each year. Travel expenses are fully covered for travel to Administrative Council meetings.
Applicants should understand sustainable agriculture well and be comfortable reviewing grant proposals and participating in group decision-making. Members of the Administrative Council are not eligible to apply for SARE funding during their time on the Administrative Council.
Apply
To apply for a seat on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council, submit the following information using our online form. The deadline is Friday, December 11th, 4:00 P.M. Central Time
Information we request through the online form:
- 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 that advances sustainable innovation in American agriculture. Since 1988, NCR-SARE has awarded more than $120 million worth 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).
Questions?
Please direct questions to Betsy Wieland.
Betsy Wieland
Associate Director
Phone: 612-626-6556
Email: eliza003@umn.edu
Schedule an appointment with Betsy
Dr. Homero Salinas-Gonzalez is an Assistant Professor and State Extension-Research Specialist in Small Ruminants at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He has served on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council since 2024.
“Serving on the NCR-SARE Administrative Council has been an extremely rewarding experience. As a representative of an 1890 Land-Grant University, I value the opportunity to contribute perspectives that support sustainable agriculture, particularly among small-scale farmers and ranchers. The Council brings together an outstanding group of individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, all committed to advancing sustainable agriculture across the North Central region. Reviewing proposals and participating in thoughtful discussions have broadened my understanding of innovative approaches to agricultural sustainability while allowing me to learn from the creativity, knowledge, and dedication of farmers, researchers, and Extension professionals. I strongly encourage anyone interested in making a difference in sustainable agriculture to consider serving on the Administrative Council. It is a wonderful opportunity to share your experience, learn from others, and help shape the future of agriculture in our region." - Homero Salinas-Gonzalez