The Farmer Rancher Grant Program helps farmers explore innovative ideas and share what they are learning with others.
Donor Name: North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/05/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Farmers and ranchers can explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research or demonstration and education projects.
Farmer Rancher Grants provide opportunities for farmers and ranchers to use sustainable agricultural practices to solve problems on the farm or ranch and share what they learn through the written grant process and outreach.
Sustainable Agriculture is farming and ranching that is ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. Since the start of the program in 1992, more than 1,300 grants have been awarded to explore topics including (but not limited to):
- Agroecology
- Agroforestry
- Alternative Grains as Animal Feed
- Beneficial Insects, Pollinator Habitat
- Cover Crops
- Crop/Landscape Diversity
- Educating/Mentoring New Farmers/Ranchers
- Farmland Access
- Food Sovereignty
- Holistic Farming & Ranching
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Labor Needs and Issues
- Organic Agriculture
- Permaculture
- Poultry, Small-Scale Livestock
- Proactive Weed Management
- Quality of Life Issues for Family/Community
- Regenerative Agriculture
- Renewable Energy
- Managed Grazing
- Soil Health
- Value-Added & Direct Marketing
- Water Quality Improvement/Wetland
Funding Information
There are two types of Farmer Rancher competitive grants:
- A total of approximately $720,000 is available for this program. Each year, we typically receive around 120-140 applications.
- Individual grants ($15,000 maximum).
- Team grants for two or more farmers or ranchers from separate and distinct operations who are working together ($30,000 maximum).
Allowable Expenses
Grant funds are for research, demonstration, and education project expenses, not day-to-day farming expenses or farm startup costs. For your budget, show the amount of grant funds you intend to spend on each item. Use accurate figures, rounded to the nearest dollar, and include a brief explanation of how each item listed in your budget relates to your project. For example: Weighing produce for yield comparison – 6 hrs x $25/hr = $150.
Geographical Areas
The 12 states of North Central Region (NCR)-SARE include: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any farmer or rancher or team of farmers or ranchers who farm or operate a ranch in the North Central region may apply.
- A farmer/rancher is someone who raises crops or livestock, especially as a business. Applicants may be just beginning the transition to a more sustainable operation or may already be using sustainable practices and want to try more. Grants to applicants under 21 need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
- Applicants can submit one grant application per year and can participate in one grant per year. Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply if reports from previous grants are up to date. Team projects must have at least two farmer/rancher participants from separate and distinct operations. If your situation is unique, contact NCR-SARE to discuss your options. Teams must designate a farmer/rancher project coordinator who will submit and sign the proposal, be responsible for reporting, and assume tax liability associated with the grant, if there is any.
For more information, visit NCR-SARE.
