NCR-SARE's 2023 Professional Development Awards

December 19, 2023
Meg Moynihan received support from SARE to support her ongoing efforts to train agriculture advisors to respond to the stress they encounter on farms and in rural communities. Photograph by Cory Ryan, courtesy of University of Minnesota School of Public Health

NCR-SARE is pleased to announce the projects recommended for funding for the Professional Development competitive grant program. For the 2023 Professional Development Program, NCR-SARE awarded more than $1.28 million to 13 projects.

NCR-SARE Professional Development Program competitive grants emphasize training agricultural educators in extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, non-profit organizations, and other public and private sector organizations. The following awarded projects are in order by state and then by last name:

  • Duane Friend with the University of Illinois Extension in Jacksonville, IL was awarded $31,699 for the project, “Climate Decision Tool Workshops for Ag/Natural Resource Professionals in Illinois.”
  • Anna Morrow with Purdue University in Shelbyville, IN was awarded $120,000 for the project, “Capacity Building for Cover Crop Educators in the Midwest.”
  • Adam Ingrao with Michigan Food and Farming Systems in East Lansing, MI was awarded $119,032 for the project, “Training Agriculture Professionals and Educators to Support Beginning Farmer Veterans’ Mental Health.”
  • Christina Curell with Michigan State University Extension in Baldwin, MI was awarded $119,911 for the project, “Expanding Regional Economic and Livestock Integration Soil Health Information and Resources.”
  • Julie Doll with Michigan Agriculture Advancement in Richland, MI was awarded $119,743 for the project, “Seeding Success: A Food-Grade Grain Production Curriculum for Midwest Farmer Advisors.”
  • Garrett Ziegler with Michigan State University Extension in Grand Rapids, MI was awarded $119,881 for the project, “Building Capacity for Agricultural Education and Resource Professionals to Serve Sustainable Urban Agriculture Producers and Organizations.”
  • Meg Moynihan with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in Saint Paul, MN was awarded $54,780 for the project, “Engaging Rural Ministry in Suicide Prevention.”
  • Mohan Acharya with Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO was awarded $91,926 for the project, “Sheep and Goats Master Training Programs in Missouri.”
  • Tatijana Fisher with Lincoln University in Jefferson city, MO was awarded $119,888 for the project, “Developing Veterinary and Extension Professionals’ Capacity to Support Small-scale Poultry Farming in Missouri.”
  • Hannah Hemmelgarn with the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry in Columbia, MO was awarded $119,962 for the project, “Establishing a Professional Agroforestry Certification and Learning Network for Education and Exchange.”
  • Barbara Rock with the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE was awarded $23,700 for the project, “Beyond the Data: Skills for Moving Sustainable Agriculture Knowledge to Action.”
  • Shoshanah Inwood with The Ohio State University-OARDC in Wooster, OH was awarded $119,837 for the project, “Whole Farm Planning for the 21st Century: Integrating Childcare, Healthcare, and Health Insurance into Farm Planning Curriculum.” Inwood's project has been named the 2023 Paula Ford Professional Development Program Proposal of the Year. From 1991-1997, Dr. Ford served as the Program Coordinator for the Southern Region SARE program. She was the NCR-SARE Professional Development Program Coordinator at Kansas State University for 11 years (1999-2009) and supported sustainable agriculture and SARE for more than 20 years. To honor Dr. Ford's contributions to NCR-SARE, the Administrative Council created the 'Paula Ford Professional Development Program Proposal of the Year award. Each year, one Professional Development Program-funded project in the North Central Region is given this special designation. The region selects the project that best exemplifies Dr. Ford's contributions and passion for evaluation, professional development and/or science-based research.
  • Erin Silva with the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI was awarded $121,146 for the project, “OGRAIN Organic Grain Farm Financial Toolbox for Agriculture Service Providers.”

View NCR-SARE’s other 2023 funded projects and their descriptions online at https://northcentral.sare.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/ (scroll to the bottom of the page).

NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, 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 nonprofit organizations.

Related Locations: North Central