Showing 1-20 of 77 results
Down on the Farm: Supporting Farmers in Stressful Times
Down on the Farm: Supporting Farmers in Stressful Times is a free workshop kit that teaches folks how to recognize and respond to a farmer that might need help.
Iowa Meat Processors’ Resource Guidebook
A guide to building, upgrading or expanding a small meat processing facility in Iowa.
Growing the Pasture-Grazed Dairy Sector in Wisconsin
Growing the Pasture-Grazed Dairy Sector in Wisconsin is the summary report of a team of researchers, dairy farmers and chefs who conducted a comprehensive investigation of the chemical and physical properties of pasture-based milk when made into cheese, butter or other products. The group, led by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, also explored the production, […]
Video: Improving Forage Production and Quality with Native Legumes
NCR-SARE Research and Education Grant Program grant recipient, Craig Maier, discusses the research his team conducted to learn more about improving forage production and quality with native legumes in grazed warm-season grass stands. They are researching how plant species of the eastern tallgrass prairie, specifically native perennial legumes, can be established as part of a […]
Creating Change in the Food System: The Role of Regional Food Networks in Iowa
In Creating Change in the Food System, the authors present a case study of an integrated effort to build long-term local and regional food commerce in Iowa using a community of practice approach. This report, authored by Rich Pirog of Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems and Corry Bregendahl of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture […]
Incorporating Cover Crops in North Dakota
In a short growing season like North Dakota's, effectively using cover crops can seem like a challenge. Establishing a specific on-farm goal is key to utilizing cover crops successfully. Getting familiar with and then fine-tuning approaches is important to achieve desired outcomes. In this publication, NDSU soil health researchers, Abbey Wick, Caley Gasch, and Marisol Berti provide a starting point.
Pioneer Agroforestry Farm Tour Video Series
A new video series on Midwest agroforestry is available from the Savanna Institute and North Central SARE. The six-part Pioneer Agroforestry Farm Tour Video Series features brief, detailed interviews with farmers who are advancing agroforestry in the Midwest.
Building a Mobile Hops Dryer
With support from an NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant, David Volkman of Ohio Valley Hops built a mobile hop dryer that incorporates best drying practices for small-scale hop growers.
Soil Health and Nutrient Management for Minority Farmers: a Train-the-Trainer Workshop
With support from SARE, a team of researchers, educators, and producers in Minnesota developed a soil health and cover cropping handbook as a train-the-trainer resource for educators, mentors, and community leaders working with immigrant and minority growers.
Sustainable Agriculture Resources and Programs for K-12 Youth
This 38-page guide to sustainable agriculture-oriented educational opportunities for schoolchildren features more than 75 programs and curricula nationwide.
Come and Get it! On-Farm Food Service Manual
Come & Get It: What you need to know to serve food on your farm uniquely supports farmers interested in understanding regulations and learning from other farmers seasoned in on-farm food service operations.
Beekeeping
Beekeepers are stewards of an essential resource; the plants that bees pollinate constitute more than 30 percent of the food we eat and the beverages we drink. While the role of alternative pollinators is vital, bees continue to provide an important service to agriculture in our region. From research projects about Colony Collapse Disorder, to educational programs around beekeeping, to innovative hive designs, NCR-SARE has funded a wide variety of grants to help beekeepers.
NCR-SARE Program Brochure
A brochure containing general information about NCR-SARE
Permaculture
Permaculture practitioners strive to build sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystems that are modelled after natural ecosystems. Permaculture can include concepts such as agroforestry, silvopasture, no-till, rainwater harvesting, mulching, managed intensive rotational grazing, and keyline design. NCR-SARE has supported work in permaculture as practitioners explore biodiverse agricultural ecosystems that sustain both themselves and their stewards.
Food Safety
To keep food safe, farmers, processors, and aggregation and distribution facilities need to stay up-to-date with new rules and regulations on food safety. As farmers and ranchers produce, pack, handle and store our food, NCR-SARE has supported their food safety goals through research and education on a variety of food safety topics, from the development of food safety plans to building good agricultural practices (GAPs) networks.
Biochar
Black carbon produced from wood chips, plant residues, manure or other agricultural waste products is known as biochar. When utilized correctly, biochar can help increase soil carbon, revitalize nutrient impoverished soils, and boost plant productivity. NCR-SARE has funded several research projects that have examined at how biochar interacts with soil and crops in order to maximize its potential benefits.
Cover Crop Termination
Farmers use cover crops to slow erosion, improve soil health, enhance water availability, smother weeds, help control pests and diseases, and increase biodiversity on their farms. Although cover crops can be partially grazed or used as forage, they are usually terminated before planting production crops. While row crop producers tend to prefer using herbicides to terminate, most vegetable/horticulture crop producers employ tillage as their primary means of termination. Some organic no-till producers use roller-crimpers to kill the cover crop and leave the mulch on the soil surface to conserve water. NCR-SARE has supported various research projects that have explored the advantages and limits of various cover crop termination strategies.
Youth Education
The youth of today are the farmers, educators, scientists, and stewards of tomorrow. NCR-SARE recognizes that youth programs are a way to introduce new and exciting farming and ranching options to youth, parents, and community members.
Community Development
NCR-SARE is committed to creating and managing a system that encourages the involvement of farm and non-farm citizens in the process of discovery and learning that leads to achieving a more sustainable, environmentally benign agriculture. NCR-SARE has invested in hundreds of projects that support the sustainability and well-being of all aspects of agriculture and those communities that support agriculture.
Hops
Craft beer brewing has enjoyed a resurgence in the United States over the last 30 years. As small breweries spring up, so does the opportunity for nearby farmers to supply them with locally grown hops. From weed management, to pest management, to exploring marketing strategies, NCR-SARE has supported work by farmers, researchers, and brewers that has promoted sustainable hop production practices.