From the Field Profiles

Producer Partnerships Demonstrate the Benefits of Integrated Systems: Increased Profits and Soil Health

A recent North Central SARE Research and Education grant in Kansas demonstrated how integrating crops, livestock and cover crops could help some producers offset revenue loss and failing crops.

NCR-SARE Case Studies

In 2023, the SARE National Reporting, Coordination, and Communications Office partnered with Insight for Action to evaluate four regional grant programs, complete with insightful case studies.

PRAIRIE Inspires Youth with Multicultural Food Pathway Program

In the heart of Minnesota’s vibrant Red River Valley, the nonprofit organization PRAIRIE is leading the charge in nurturing the next generation of small-scale farmers. Verna Kragnes and Rick Hall founded PRAIRIE, short for Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute for Research, Innovation & Education, which has become a beacon of opportunity for aspiring farmers. Offering a […]

Shedding Light on Ranchers’ Views of Grassland Conservation Payments in Nebraska

University of Nebraska doctoral candidate Kyle Martens found many ranchers are willing to use grazing practices that promote biodiversity.

Scaling up Value-Added Local Food in Ohio

Glass Rooster Cannery works with local farmers in Ohio to preserve their excess produce. This reduces waste while increasing the year-round income for farmers.

Bringing Nutritious Options to Food Deserts in Indiana

Legacy Taste of the Garden is a farm outside of Lyle's Station, Indiana that provides education and outreach to BIPOC producers across Indiana.

Exploring Chestnuts in Southeastern Ohio with Michelle Ajamian

Michelle Ajamian explores the success stories of cultivating chestnuts – from fostering community partnerships to promoting environmentally friendly practices.

Edible Landscaping with Matthew Lebon

NCAT Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames talks with Matthew Lebon about edible landscaping or the practice of integrating edible plants into ornamental landscaping

A New Outreach Toolkit for Conservation 

A new toolkit is available for conservation professionals to use in planning and executing conservation outreach from the National Wildlife Federation.

New Podcast Series Explores “The Art of Climate Dialogue” 

A new podcast series out of Iowa features conversations with farmers, artists, researchers, and activists discussing climate and agriculture in Iowa. 

The Oneida Nation Community Composting Project

The Oneida Community Integrated Food System program has been working to develop a community composting education project to improve the soil at Oneida Nation’s Tsyunhehkwa farm and community plots and gardens.

The Commercial Potential of Mulberries in the Midwest

Weston Lombard has successfully incorporated mulberries into the agroforestry system on his farm, where harvested leaves and dropped fruit provide excellent forage for chickens and hogs.

A Cooperative Experience for Ohio High Schoolers

Educators in the Appalachian Region of Ohio have been working with area high schools to share information about cooperative business models and agricultural careers.

From the Earth: Advancing Food Sovereignty with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community

With their From the Earth project, Tribal growers and educators with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community are increasing access to traditional foods using sustainable growing methods.

Goats Adapt to Virtual Fencing

Allysse Sorensen has been experimenting with virtual fencing for targeted grazing with goats.

Generating Income from Pollinator Habitat on an Urban Farm

Mark Brannen of Benson Bounty in Omaha, Neb., used a SARE Farmer Rancher grant to establish native plant habitat on his 0.75-acre urban farm and assess what revenue stream he could get by selling cut flowers.

Attracting Beneficial Insects to Urban Farms

Always seeking ways to improve the sustainability of their farm, EarthDance Farm in Ferguson, Missouri used a SARE Farmer Rancher grant to incorporate both permaculture and IPM practices.

Using Lung Scanning Technology to Identify Respiratory Illnesses

Using a SARE Farmer/Rancher grant, Tabitha Steckler Hurst of Hunley Creek Heifer Farm in southern Indiana set out to see if the same ultrasound technology used to scan cows for pregnancy could be used in a practical setting to scan lungs for illness.

Bringing Healthy Options to Food Deserts

Partnering with two other farms, Legacy Taste of the Garden Operations Director John Jamerson used a SARE Farmer Rancher grant on a multi-faceted project to increase the availability of whole foods in food deserts in Princeton, Evansville, and Indianapolis.

Adapting to Climate Change Through Data-Driven Decisions

Jeff Miller used a SARE Farmer Rancher grant to introduce drone imagery and weather station data to better assess the impacts of extreme weather on his fields and crops and to inform his responses.