The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) 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: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/04/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Farmers and ranchers have 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.
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.
Funding Information
There are two types of Farmer Rancher competitive grants:
- 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).
Grant Period
Projects may last up to 23 months.
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.
- We have a strong commitment to diversity. Proposals that involve farmers, ranchers, or youth from historically-underserved populations are encouraged. USDA defines historically-underserved audiences to include socially-disadvantaged producers, limited-resource producers, beginning farmers/ranchers, and veterans. They further define socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as belonging to the following groups: American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and women.
For more information, visit North Central Region SARE.
