From the Field Profiles

Black Soldier Fly Composting Takes Flight on Urban Farms

Caydee Terrell received SARE support to study the utility of black soldier fly larvae composting on urban farms.

Sustaining the Sugarbush in a Tribal Community

For more than 15 years, Eric DuPuis has been a sugarmaker with the Nagaajiwanaang band of Anishinaabe Ojibwe people near Cloquet, Minnesota. With SARE support, he made some improvements to his sugarmaking enterprise that benefited his business and community.

Grazing Cover Crops and Advancing Farmer Networks in Wisconsin

Dane County Land Conservation was able to support and create intentional spaces for a group of farmers willing to take a chance on establishing and utilizing cover crops on their farms to improve soil health.

Growing Solutions with Chicago’s West Side

Growing Solutions Farm received a SARE grant to enhance their sustainable growing program in Chicago that engages with young, diverse, West Side learners.

Cultivating Food and Community with Indianapolis' Soul Food Project

Indianapolis' Soul Food Project is growing food and community with a farmers market stand and CSA program for Northeast side residents.

High-Efficiency, Year-Round Tropical Greenhouse in South Dakota

In Aurora, South Dakota, Shannon Mutschelknaus received SARE support to compare the various features of multiple passive solar greenhouse designs.

Prairie Strips as a Farmland Conservation Practice

Farmers and researchers in Iowa have been planting prairie strips in their crop fields to help reduce surface runoff.

Best Practices for Hemp Production in Kansas

The Kansas Hemp Consortium is working to increase awareness and industry knowledge of industrial hemp.

Physical Weed Control Strategies for Midwest Vegetable Growers

A group of farmers and researchers has been working to generate useful, farm-tested, and detailed observations on the best methods and tools for managing in-row weeds. This image is a Tilmor cultivating tractor with finger-weeders belly mounted.

Bringing Fresh Foods to Illinois Schools and Institutions

Illinois' Hendrick House Farm is working to create new opportunities for local farmers, bringing the local food revolution to community farms and schools.

North Dakota Farmers Lead the Way With Bale Grazing

In, North Dakota, siblings Erin and and Drew Gaugler are experimenting with bale grazing, or the practice of leaving hay bales in fields during the winter for livestock to graze.

‪Increasing Food Security in a Mohican Tribal Community

With support from SARE, Stockbridge-Munsee Community Agriculture Agent Kellie Zahn is working with local educators to give new and existing farmers hands-on training in many areas that she hopes will improve the tribe’s ability to grow fresh produce.

Figs as a Niche Crop in Northern Ohio

Tim and Beth Malinich received a SARE grant to experiment with overwintering methods for raising figs on their Ohio farm.

Growing Food and Community in North Saint Louis

Good Life Growing in North Saint Louis had SARE support to develop a scalable, replicable vertical aquaponic grow rack system at their indoor, urban growing facility.

Advancing Grassland Conservation in Nebraska

Nebraska researcher Kyle Martens is working to better understand ranchers’ preferences regarding grassland conservation programs with support from SARE.

Making the Most of Mulch: Strategic Systems for Small Organic Tomato Growers

In Indiana, three area farms are testing combinations of cover crops and leaf mulch for organic, fresh-market tomato production.

LAAZY Hives: Ergonomic Hive Alternative

Beekeepers in Ohio designed and built a LAAZY Hive system for beekeeping that allows them to access their hives while seated.

Tackling Canada Thistle in an Organic Orchard

Chris and Juli McGuire gained control of Canada Thistle in their organic apple orchard with support from a SARE grant.

Kansas Farmer Tests Heirloom Corn Varieties

Pantaleon Florez studied no-till growing methods of non-GMO, heirloom dent corn at Maseualkaulli Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.

Comparing Apples to Apples

In Wisconsin, producers and researchers are exploring hard cider apple varieties.