NCR-SARE is pleased to announce the projects recommended for funding for the 2022 Partnership Grant Program.
For the 2022 Partnership Grant Program, NCR-SARE awarded more than $676,000 to 18 projects. NCR-SARE’s Partnership Grant Program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Those selected to receive funding included (in order alphabetically, by state):
- Jim Matheson with the National Bison Association in Westminster, CO was selected to receive a $39,087 grant for the project, “National Bison North Central Regenerative Ranching Workshop Series.” Although funded in Colorado, the project results will primarily help agriculture in the North Central region.
- Marie Boyd with Healthy Harvest of North Iowa in Hampton, IA was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “The Kitchen: Where Food Businesses Grow in North IA.”
- Stephanie Enloe with the Women, Food and Agriculture Network in Ames, IA was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Urban and Rural Mentorships for Aspiring and Beginning Women Farmers.”
- Kendra Meyer with Iowa State University in Ames, IA was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Exploring Iowa Agritourism Ventures.”
- Rebecca Koetz with Purdue Unversity Extension in Crown Point, IN was selected to receive a $39,997 grant for the project, “On-Farm Internships to Increase Sustainable Urban Farming in Lake County, Indiana.”
- Brandon Schlautman with The Land Institute in Salina, KS was selected to receive a $39,691 grant for the project, “Using Perennial Groundcovers for Improved Soil and Nutrient Retention in Corn/Soy Production.”
- Sarah Stephens with the Kansas Hemp Consortium in Wichita, KS was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Increasing Industrial Hemp Acreage for Fiber and Grain with Planting Best Practices and Recommendations.”
- Dave Zentner with the Upper Mississippi River Initiative - Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League in Bloomington, MN was selected to receive a $39,500 grant for the project, “Education and Mentorship to Support Mutually Beneficial Leases that Promote Regenerative Agriculture.”
- Mark Gutierrez with the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition in Vadnais Heights, MN was selected to receive a $26,159 grant for the project, “Comparing Compost Tea and Compost Extract Impact on Microbiology.”
- Kristi Pursell with Clean River Partners in Northfield, MN was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Coordinated Education and Outreach.”
- Greg Schweser with Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships in St. Paul, MN was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Engaging Diverse Small and Medium-Sized Livestock Stakeholders in Design Processes to Increase Access to Meat Slaughter and Processing Facilities.”
- Paul Sobocinski with the Farmers Union Foundation in Wabasso, MN was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Assuring Meat Processing Availability for Sustainable Livestock Farmers.”
- Cindy Tong with the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul, MN was selected to receive a $14,788 grant for the project, “On Farm Evaluations of Novel Methods to Increase Garlic Marketable Yield.”
- Jane Sueme with Saint Louis Beekeepers in Saint Louis, MO was selected to receive a $37,675 grant for the project, “St. Louis Sustainable Stock Apiary: Local Queen Breeding Development.”
- Alcinda Folck with Central State University in Wilberforce, OH was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Budding Communication: Improving Sustainability and Communication in the Ohio Cut Flower Supply Chain with Availability Calendar and Database.”
- Laura Lindsey with The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH was selected to receive a $39,859 grant for the project, “Use of a Cover Crop to Reduce Soil Crusting and Improve Soybean Emergence.”
- Tom Redfern with Rural Action in The Plains, OH was selected to receive a $39,662 grant for the project, “Value Adding Culinary Chestnut Seconds Through the Development of a Marketable Fine Flour.”
- Carl Duley with the University of Wisconsin - Madison Extension in Alma, WI was selected to receive a $40,000 grant for the project, “Exploration of Fiber Hemp Production and Quality.”
Read descriptions of these projects on the SARE projects website.
The focus for each of the NCR-SARE grant programs is on research and education. Funding considerations are based on how well the applicant presents the problem being addressed, the project's relevance to sustainable agriculture in the 12-state North Central region, and how well it aligns with NCR-SARE's goals, among other factors specific to each grant program.
NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. The AC includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in the region. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, federal agencies, and nonprofits.
Since 1988, the SARE program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The program, part of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems.