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.