The North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Partnership Grant Program aims to foster collaboration between agricultural professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers. This initiative catalyzes on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities directly related to sustainable agriculture practices. The core mission alignment is centered on advancing sustainable agriculture through practical, on-the-ground efforts, empowering producers to adopt and refine environmentally sound and economically viable farming methods. The program supports the broader goal of developing more resilient agricultural systems and increasing food sovereignty within the North Central Region.
The target beneficiaries of this program are small groups of independent farming enterprises that partner with agriculture/natural resource professionals. These professionals can include university educators, extension agents, Soil and Water Conservation District field staff, agricultural consultants, and nonprofit or agency staff who assist farmers and ranchers. The impact goals are to solve specific on-farm problems, develop new marketing approaches for sustainably produced products, investigate value-adding processes, and implement projects that directly contribute to resilient agriculture. By fostering these partnerships, NCR-SARE seeks to empower local agricultural communities with knowledge and practical solutions.
The program prioritizes projects that involve on-farm testing of cropping system strategies or grazing systems, cooperative efforts to develop new marketing approaches, and investigations into new methods for processing and adding value to sustainably produced farm products. Other key focuses include projects designed to increase food sovereignty and those that directly lead to the development of more resilient agricultural systems. These priorities reflect NCR-SARE's strategic objective to support innovative, producer-driven solutions that address critical challenges in sustainable agriculture.
Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of on-farm research and demonstration projects, the adoption of new sustainable practices by participating farmers and ranchers, and the dissemination of knowledge through educational activities like field days and tours. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed in the provided information beyond funding amounts and duration, the emphasis is on tangible advancements in sustainable agriculture, improved economic viability for farmers, and enhanced environmental stewardship. The grant's structure, with its focus on practical application and professional guidance, embodies a theory of change that posits that direct collaboration and on-farm experimentation are effective drivers of sustainable agricultural innovation and adoption.
