NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grant Program is a competitive grants program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects.
Donor Name: North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE)
State: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Counties: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Type of Entity: Farmer/Rancher
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 12/02/2021
Size of the Grants:
- For Individual: $15,000
- For Team: $30,000
Details:
Farmers and ranchers have a critical insight when it comes to improving their systems. Whether they need to limit off-farm inputs, reduce erosion, create more time for family or community activities, learn marketing skills, or find other ways to enhance their livelihoods, farmers and ranchers can turn to the North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Program for grant opportunities and information.
Farmer Rancher Grants provide opportunities for farmers/ranchers to use Sustainable Agriculture practices to solve problems on the farm or ranch, and to share their ideas, innovations, and results with others. Approximately $720,000 is available for this program. Grant recipients have 23 months to complete their projects. There are two types of competitive grants:
- Individual grants ($15,000 maximum)
- Team grants for two or more farmers/ranchers from separate and distinct operations who are working together ($30,000 maximum).
Farmer Rancher Grants provide opportunities for farmers/ranchers to use Sustainable Agriculture practices to solve problems on the farm or ranch, and to share their ideas, innovations, and results with others. The program values learning by doing and reporting on what worked, what didn’t, and what farmers/ranchers would recommend for others. Funds are NOT for everyday farming expenses, other than those directly related to the grant project.
- Projects that involve whole farm systems, a youth component, and/or historically underserved farmers/ranchers are encouraged.
- Projects involving industrial hemp must comply with applicable state and USDA regulations.
- Livestock projects need to comply with reasonable animal care requirements to insure that animals are properly cared for.
Criteria
- Any farmer/rancher or team of farmers/ranchers who farm or operate a ranch in the North Central region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) may apply. DEFINITION: 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 implement additional changes. (Grants to applicants under 21 need to be signed by a parent or guardian.) Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) should apply for Partnership Grants for projects working with farmers and ranchers.
- Team projects must have at least two farmer/rancher participants from separate and distinct operations. If your situation is unique, please explain or 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.
- Grant recipients may participate in one Individual grant and one Team grant annually. Previous farmer/rancher grant recipients are eligible to apply if reports from previous grants are up to date. Proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis with all other proposals.
- They have a strong commitment to diversity. Proposals that involve farmers or ranchers or youth from historically-underserved populations are encouraged.
For more information, visit Farmer Rancher Grant.
