2025 Partnership Grant Program

North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) is seeking applications for its Partnership Grant Program to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Donor Name: North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 10/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Partnership Grant program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. The “partnership” aspect refers to an agriculture professional partnering with three independent farming enterprises, working together to solve a problem. Examples of appropriate projects include: On-farm testing of cropping system strategies or grazing systems  Cooperative efforts to develop new marketing approaches Investigations into new approaches to processing and/or adding value to sustainably produced farm products Projects intended to increase food sovereignty Projects that lead to resilient agricultural systems Funding Information $50,000 maximum per application up to 24 months. Allowable Expenses  Cost of field sampling, crop analysis and educational surveys.  Materials and supplies needed for the project, including seed, fertilizer, portable fencing or other farming/ranching inputs.  Reimbursement of farmers and ranchers for their time involved with the project.  Partial or full cost of small tools and equipment, or any piece of equipment costing less than $5,000. Describe type of equipment (for example, pH meters, balances, scales, etc.), cost and a brief narrative on the intended use of the equipment for project objectives.  Outreach expenses such as holding a field day, tours, making a brochure, creating a website, etc.  Out-of-town travel needed for the project. State purpose, destination, and number of travelers and estimated cost per trip. Foreign travel is generally not allowed in this grant program.  Local travel (where personal auto is used and reimbursed) needed for the project. State the purpose and total dollar amount of reimbursement for vehicle use. If any overnight stays are anticipated, include the number of nights and the amount for meals and lodging. (i.e., local travel for site visits to farmers in neighboring counties – $500 for mileage and $500 for meals and lodging (five days @ $100/day) = $1,000). Maximum mileage allowance depends on institutional policy; otherwise use the current federal mileage reimbursement rate.  Refreshments at field days or group meals for events are allowable if they maintain the continuity of the meeting and to do otherwise will impose arduous conditions on the meeting participants. Services of Agricultural Professionals can be compensated – provide hourly rate. Eligibility Criteria The Project Coordinator must be an agriculture/natural resource professional in the North Central Region. These professionals could be:  university educators including extension agents and specialists Soil and Water Conservation District field staff agricultural consultants (individuals who actively consult with farmers and ranchers as certified crop advisors, soils consultants, ranching consultants, etc.) nonprofit or agency staff assisting farmers and ranchers at the local level For more information, visit NCR-SARE.