FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 1998
CONTACT:
Lisa Bauer
NCR SARE Communications Specialist
402-472-0265, 0280 (fax)
sare003@unlvm.unl.edu
North Central SARE Recommends 92 Grants
to Universities, Producers and Organizations
for Sustainable Agriculture Projects
Lincoln, NE — As the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
(SARE) program enters its second decade of awarding grants to foster a more
environmentally benign agriculture that boosts farm profit and enhances
communities, the North Central Region (NCR) SARE program is awarding almost
$2 million to nearly 100 projects in 1998.
"There is a healthy geographical and topical diversity in our 1998 project
portfolio," said Alan Schlegel, NCR SARE Administrative Council chair from
Kansas. "We hope that results from these projects will continue to build on
the notion that there are profitable, ecologically sound alternatives to
conventional agriculture."
Awards will be distributed under three competitive grant programs:
-$1,164,138 to 23 projects in the Research and Education Grant Program:
Awarded to scientists, educators and other organizations and
multi-disciplinary teams exploring sustainable systems and practices.
-$393,172 to 10 projects and $156,000 to 13 land grant universities in the
Professional Development Program: Awarded to teams of agricultural
professionals developing educational programs to train agricultural
educators in sustainable farming and ranching. SARE funds to land grants
help implement state strategic plans in sustainable agriculture.
-$222,123 to 46 projects in the Producer Grant Program: Awarded to farmers
and ranchers interested in experimenting with sustainable agriculture
on-farm or ranch.
New project coordinators from 12 North Central states will explore grazing
and forage systems, alternative crops, soil quality, organic crop and
livestock systems, farmer networks and mentors, biological control of pests,
sustainable fruit and vegetable operations, youth education in agriculture,
agroforestry, and composting, among other topics.
A highlight of 1998 awards, 10 innovative marketing initiatives in the
Research and Education Grant Program will receive a total of about $300,000.
As low commodity prices are forcing some producers to take a more active
role in marketing their products, projects will address linkages between
producers and consumers, urban/rural partnerships, consumer education,
farmer marketing cooperatives, and selling locally grown, value-added products.
"We are eager to follow the progress of our marketing projects and re-plant
successful ideas region-wide," said Schlegel. "There has been a high demand
for marketing infrastructure and strategies, and we hope to provide a
stepping stone toward successfully selling sustainable products."
With SARE's Professional Development Program funds, appropriated to educate
agricultural professionals on sustainable concepts and systems, the NCR SARE
program recommended grants for educational workshops and materials for
grazing systems, land use and farmland planning and field crop ecology,
among other endeavors.
"Our professional development activities have really blossomed within the
past few years, and we continue to multiply sustainable agriculture
knowledge through our agricultural personnel and professionals," said Elbert
Dickey, NCR SARE regional extension coordinator from Nebraska.
Since 1992, the Producer Grant Program has doubled its funding and resulted
in a list of more than 250 farmers and ranchers across the region who have
received SARE grants. The 1998 producer projects include demonstrations,
educational projects and research in tandem with sustainable agriculture
organizations and institutions.
NCR SARE's Administrative Council and Technical Committee met four times
this year to review and recommend the 1998 proposals. Composed of
agricultural educators and researchers, producers and nonprofit organization
representatives, the Council will submit its recommendations to the USDA for
final approval in early fall.
The 1999 grant cycle is as follows:
-Research and Education Grant Program: Call for Preproposals, July 15, 1998.
Due, Sept. 11, 1998
-Professional Development Program: Call for Proposals, Dec. 4, 1998. Due,
Feb. 12, 1999
-Producer Grant Program: Call for Proposals, Feb. 1, 1999. Due, April 30, 1999.
Contact NCR SARE at the University of Nebraska, 13A Activities Bldg.,
Lincoln, NE 68583-0840; 402-472-7081; or sare001@unlvm.unl.edu. Also find us
on the Web at www.sare.org/ncrsare.
NCR SARE grant applicants must reside in the North Central Region: Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North
Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota or Wisconsin.
The SARE program began with the 1985 Farm Bill and was first funded by
Congress in 1988.Competitive grants go to producers, scientists, educators
and public and private institutions and organizations exploring sustainable
agriculture. The North Central Region, managed by a diverse Administrative
Council and directed by regional coordinators, is one of four regions in the
SARE program. Contact the national SARE office at 202-720-5203.
###
State-by-state listing of total funds with individual grant titles, project
coordinators, organization or city, and grant award. * Indicates special
professional development project to educate Extension and NRCS personnel and
other agricultural professionals. ** Indicates special marketing
initiatives. † Indicates special funds to each North Central land grant
university for implementing state plans in sustainable agriculture education.
Illinois - $166,197
Nutrient and Pesticide Loads in Subsurface Drainage from Organic and
Conventional Cropping Practices. Gregory McIsaac, University of Illinois,
$104,777.
Introduction to Management Intensive Grazing Systems Workshops and Resource
Manual for Educators. Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, University of Illinois,
$32,308. *
Sugar Maple Control and Hardwood Restoration in Central Illinois Woodland.
Kevin Green, producer, Fithian, $5,000.
Expansion of Grape Production. Marcel Baehr, producer, New Salem, $4,940.
Linking Downstate Illinois Small-Scale Goat and Sheep Producers. Les Gioja,
producer, Champaign, $2,338.
Trout and Walleye Production in Freshwater Springs. Michael Rahe, producer,
Jacksonville, $4,834.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, University of
Illinois, Richard Warner, $12,000. †
Indiana - $149,664
Soil Quality Improvement with Cover Crop Mixtures. Eileen Kladivko, Purdue
University, $93,256.
Traveling Food Processing/Educational Trailer. Susan Houghton, Michigan
Organic Food and Farm Alliance, $41,138. **
Alternative Use for Small Tobacco Acreage in Southeastern Indiana. Denise
Dailey, producer, Deputy, $3,270.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, Purdue University,
David Petritz, $12,000. †
Iowa - $182,359
Soil Fertility Paradigms Evaluated through Collaboration On-Farm and
On-Station. Derrick Exner, Iowa State University, $59,027.
Producer-Owned Cooperative to Process and Market Sustainably Produced Pork.
Aaron Heley, Iowa Farmers Union, $23,000. **
Planning Sustainable Grazing Systems. Mark Boswell, Southern Iowa Forage and
Livestock Committee, $45,740. *
Prairie Wetlands. David Zahrt, producer, Turin, $2,836.
Deer Damage Abatement Research Project. Gary Mensinger, producer, Camanche,
$3,627.
Kura Clover Cover Crop Demonstration. Dan Byrnes, producer, Waukon, $1,290.
Specialty Meats Marketing Project at Sycamore Street Market. Phil Hueneke,
producer, Bellevue, $9,984.
Organic Livestock Marketing Co-op. Ron Rosmann, producer, Harlan, $10,000.
Establishing On-Farm Management Systems for Grass-Fed Beef. Doug Erickson,
producer, Messina, $4,980.
Chariton Valley Beef Industry Initiative: Producer Cost Share for Technology
Adoption and Market Access. Mike Hunter, producer, Carlton, $9,875.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, Iowa State
University, Jerry DeWitt, $12,000. †
Kansas - $186,726
Heartland Sustainable Agriculture Network. Jerry Jost, Kansas Rural Center,
$64,000.
Beneficial Insect Enhancement for Organic Apple Production in Kansas
(planning grant). Rhonda Janke, Kansas State University, $10,000.
County Fair Tomato Cooperative: Developing an Organic Tomato Processing
Cooperative. Dan Nagengast, Kansas Rural Center, $67,800. **
Beef Alliance Association to Develop a Premium Market. Larry Becker,
producer, Lancaster, $3,650.
A Consumer-Driven System for Natural Beef Marketing. Diana Endicott,
producer, Branson, $9,449.
Interseeding Legumes into Fescue. Tom Mulroy, producer, Mayetta, $1,455.
Economically Powered Water Supply Systems for Remote Locations. Donn Teske,
producer, Wheaton, $3,372.
Machinery Link Co. David Govert, producer, Cunningham, $5,000.
Creating Value in Pooled Cull Cow Sales. Myron Runft, producer, Belleville,
$10,000.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, Kansas State
University, Daryl Buchholz, $12,000.†
Michigan - $169,167
Innovative Tart Cherry Orchard Systems: Design, Evaluation, and
Demonstration. Charles Edson, Michigan State University, $75,000.
Michigan Field Crop Ecology: Training and Field Demonstrations. Natalie
Bement-Rector, Michigan State University, $47,677. *
You-Pick for the Handicapped. Thomas Robinson, producer, Middleville, $5,000.
Cover Crop Influence on Soil Quality in No-Till Corn/Soybean Rotations: The
Role of Soil Arthropods. Gary Manley, producer, Three Rivers, $5,000.
Utilizing Alternative Harvesting Methods in Storing Silage. David McCartney,
producer, Coleman, $5,000.
Southwestern Michigan Marketing Plan for Locally Grown Produce. Phillip
Prillwitz, producer, Eau Claire, $10,000.
On-Farm Market for High Quality, Locally Grown Products and an Experience
for School Age Children. Pamela Bosserd, producer, Marshall, $4,490.
Expanding Partnerships between Southern Michigan Cash Crop Farmers and
Northern Michigan Livestock Farmers. Henry Miller, producer, Constantine,
$5,000.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, Michigan State
University, Susan Smalley, $12,000. †
Minnesota - $215,755
Addressing Agricultural Practices and Water Quality Issues through
Youth-Developed Decision Cases. Marla Reicks, University of Minnesota, $41,498.
Perennial Legumes for Sustainable Pasture Systems. Craig Scheaffer,
University of Minnesota, $99,800.
Strengthening Links between Meat Producers, Processors, and Consumers.
Jenifer Buckley, Sustainable Farming Association of Northeast Minnesota,
$6,000. **
Congregationally Supported Agriculture. Marvin Freiborg, Central Chapter -
Sustainable Farming Association, $38,900. **
Creating and Expanding Direct Markets for Sustainable Products. Dennis Rabe,
producer, Lake City, $5,000.
Sustainable Hog Production in Old Farm Buildings. Dave Serfling, producer,
Preston, $4,770.
Low Environmental Impact Establishment of Hybrid Poplar Plantation. Michael
Nohner, producer, Watkins, $2,790.
Keep the Cows in the Corn Even During the Winter Storms. Donald Struxness,
producer, Milan, $4,997.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, University of
Minnesota, Bill Wilcke, $12,000. †
Missouri - $168,066
Feasibility of Agroforestry System Using Management-Intensive Grazing in
Eastern Black Walnut Plantation. Sandra Hodge, University of Missouri, $48,487.
Adding Local Value with Community Partnership Strategies. Denise Durham,
Columbia Area Food Circle, $37,800. **
Alternative Information Networking to Support Sustainable Agriculture on
Small Farms. John Ikerd, University of Missouri, $32,950. *
The Rotational Cutting of Clover will Increase the Quantity and Quality of
Honey and Bees within a Specific Habitat. James Harlow, producer, Exeter,
$3,347.
Determination of Optimal Application Amounts Needed for Weed Control and
Soil Amendment Qualities of Corn Gluten Meal in the Production of
Strawberries. Denice Trimmer-May, producer, Milo, $4,996.
Elixir Farm: Chinese Medicinal Herbs as Field Crops in the Ozarks. Lavinia
McKinney, producer, Brixey, $5,000.
Honey Bee Varroa Mite Control Research and Langstroth Versus Top Bar Hive
Economics. Robert Cessac, producer, Higbee, $4,797.
Removal of Infected Fescue with Warm Season Grasses and Introduction of
Legumes. Von Dole, producer, Queen City, $1,738.
Results of Alternate Usage of Apistan Strips and Formic Acid for Mite
Control in Honeybee Colonies. Kathy Hawthorne, producer, Rayville, $4,951.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, University of
Missouri, John Ikerd, $12,000. †
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, Lincoln University,
Dyremple Marsh, $12,000. †
Nebraska - $164,056
Annual Forages for Integrated Crop and Livestock Systems. Burt Weichenthal,
University of Nebraska, $52,000.
Alternative Systems for Livestock in Nebraska. Wyatt Fraas, Center for Rural
Affairs, $94,350.
Alternative Nitrogen Sources for Organic Snap Bean Production. John Ellis,
producer, York, $3,617.
Biological Control of Pests. David Kreutz, producer, Aurora, $2,089.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, University of
Nebraska, Elbert Dickey, $12,000. †
North Dakota - $132,632
Marketing Sustainable and/or Organic Products in Small Metro Areas. David
Watt, North Dakota State University, $41,355. **
Marketplace '99. Thomas Hanson, North Dakota State University, $12,600. *
Revitalizing Community Development in the Dakotas. Thomas Hanson, North
Dakota State University, $64,700. *
Don't Take Grass for Granted. Jack Orts, producer, Oriska, $1,977.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, North Dakota State
University, Darnell Lundstrom, $12,000. †
Ohio - $259,155
Biological Control of Bacterial Disease of Vegetable Crops. Sally Miller,
Ohio State University, $98,500.
Strengthening Farms on the Edge: Developing Rural/Urban Partnerships.
Rebecca Cline, Northeast Ohio Coalition of Diversified Farms, $29,450. **
Developing Advanced Grazing Educational Materials and Schools on Sustainable
and Profitable Grazing Systems for the North Central Region. Henry
Bartholomew, Ohio State University, $60,000. *
Workshops on Land Use and Farmland Policy. Kevin Schmidt, American Farmland
Trust, $48,247. *
Sustainable Viniculture for Midwestern Fruit Growers. Gene Sigel, producer,
Madison, $5,000.
Alternative Vegetable Crop Irrigation System for Remote Areas. Kevin Smyth,
producer, Amesville, $2,110.
Composting Greenhouse. Jan Metz, producer, Berlin Center, $3,848.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, Ohio State
University, Stephen Baertsche, $12,000. †
South Dakota - $79,590
Dakota Rural Action Sustainable Farm and Ranch Mentorship (planning grant).
Tom Hutchison, Dakota Rural Action, $10,000.
Development of a Marketing Infrastructure to Promote Native-Raised Bison
Meat and Bison Co-Products. (planning grant). Mark Heckert, InterTribal
Bison Cooperative, $5,000. **
Outreach Education for Permaculture as Native Science. Ann Krush, Sinte
Gleska University, $36,450. *
The Expansion of the South Dakota Goosemobile Project to include Beef, Lamb,
and Pork. Tom Neuberger, producer, Canistota, $9,025.
Wolf's Native Garden Project. Charlie Smoke, producer, Kyle, $4,160.
Swath-Grazing: A Potential Alternative to Hay Feeding for Wintering Beef
Cows in the Northern Plains. Mark Sip, producer, Geddes, $2,955.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, South Dakota State
University, Larry Tidemann, $12,000. †
Wisconsin - $62,066
Educating Consumers About Local, Sustainably Produced Meat. Margaret Krome,
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, $23,000. **
Educate the Agricultural Educators and Bankers on Profitability, Lifestyle,
and Environmental Benefits of MIG for the Livestock Farmers of Central
Wisconsin. Paul Daigle, Central Wisconsin River Graziers Network, $12,500. *
Quantifying Seasonal Nutritional Quality Changes in Managed Pastures. Greg
Williamson, producer, Porterfield, $5,000.
Enhancing Native Solitary Bee Populations for Pollination. John Cuddy,
producer, Maiden Rock, $4,700.
Weed and Feed Vegetable Transplants with Corn Gluten Meal. Renee Randall,
producer, Wauzeka, $4,866.
State Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture Education, University of
Wisconsin, Thomas Parslow, $12,000. †
###
***************************
Lisa Bauer
Communications Specialist
North Central Region SARE
University of Nebraska
13A Activities Bldg.
Lincoln, NE 68583-0840
402-472-0265
402-472-0280 (fax)
sare003@unlvm.unl.edu
www.sare.org/ncrsare
***************************
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