NCR-SARE Seeking Review Committee Members

Jennifer Falck works with the Menominee Department of Agriculture & Food Systems in Wisconsin, focusing on developing food policies that honor Menominee food traditions and food sovereignty. Falck and her family operate Kahulahele Farmstead and are founding members of Ohelaku, a grassroots cooperative dedicated to cultivating traditional Tuscarora White Corn on the Oneida Reservation. Falck served as a reviewer for NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher grant program and is currently an at-large member on the SARE Outreach Steering

“I had a very good experience being a grant reviewer,” said Falck. “There are two things in particular that I liked. First, I met a lot of other reviewers from all over the country who have similar areas of interest. Secondly, after reviewing all the grant applications, I think it made me a better grant writer.” -Jennifer Falck

The North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) is seeking members* for the following grant review committees:

Research and Education Grant Program Review Committee (Technical Committee)
Farmer Rancher Grant Program Review Committee
Partnership Grant Program Review Committee
Professional Development Grant Program (PDP) Review Committee
Graduate Student Grant Program Review Committee
Youth Educator Grant Program Review Committee

*Review committee members must live and work in the geography shared with the 12 states of the North Central SARE region: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, and WI.

NCR-SARE’s review committees review proposals and make recommendations to the Administrative Council, which can be a rewarding and educating experience for those interested in sustainable production and the grant-making process.

Each NCR-SARE review committee has varying requirements, but review committee members are generally required to review proposals, discuss the proposals on a conference call or in person, and provide recommendations to the Administrative Council. An NCR-SARE review committee member may not apply to that particular grant program while serving on that committee.

Complete this online form to apply for one of NCR-SARE’s grant review committees. In addition to completing the online form, you will be asked to upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Recommendations can also be sent to that email address. We will acknowledge receipt of the materials and reply regarding the selection process's outcome.

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 worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states. The SARE program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).

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