The North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) is seeking reviewers 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
About NCR-SARE Review Committees
NCR-SARE's review committees review proposals and make recommendations to the Administrative Council, offering a rewarding, educational 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.
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.
How to Apply
Complete this online form to apply for one of NCR-SARE's grant review committees. In addition to the online form, upload a resume, curriculum vitae (CV), or short bio highlighting your relevant experience. We will acknowledge receipt of your materials and reply with the selection outcome.
Recommendations can also be emailed to ncrsare@umn.edu.
The Experience of Reviewing Grants
Stephanie Finklea is a farmer and small business owner in North Omaha, Nebraska, and a coordinating member and farmer for Blazing Star Seed Cooperative, where she grows out seeds and coordinates post-seed processing tasks. Finklea is also an experienced reviewer for the NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant program.
"Being a grant reviewer for SARE gave me the opportunity to connect with other farmers in my region and learn from their gained expertise. It was also inspiring to review the innovative solutions that farmers proposed to overcome challenges. Overall, it was an honor to be able to make an impact in the lives of farmers and the field of sustainable agriculture." - Stephanie Finklea
About SARE
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 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).