The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program is requesting pre-proposals for professional development projects. The projects provide training to agricultural professionals and educators in the Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, other governmental agencies and educators in the profit and nonprofit sector that serve the food and fiber system.

The North Central Region consists of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The SARE program in North and South Dakota is coordinated by Frank Kutka at North Dakota State University’s Dickinson Research Extension Center.

""Educators in the North Central Region can submit proposals for up to $50,000,"" Kutka says. ""The projects may last two to three years. This year we are requesting that proposals focus on topics related to bioenergy."

More information on specific topics can be found at http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdp.htm. The project should contribute to the overall outcome of the North Central SARE Professional Development Program. This includes educators who are knowledgeable in the general concepts of sustainable agriculture and motivated to work in partnership with farmers, ranchers and the general public on developing programs and activities that enhance the sustainability of rural communities and the food and agricultural system.

Since its inception, the grant program has funded more than 200 projects valued at approximately $7 million. The grant projects employ a teach-the-teachers model, which allows for the exchange of important new learning opportunities. Some examples of successful grant proposals include bison education on the Great Plains, on-farm composting workshops, developing statewide agriculture teams and using Web sites, video and audio to further sustainable agriculture efforts.

Proposals are evaluated for their technical merit and relevancy. Funded proposals should demonstrate short-term and intermediate outcomes that will be expected from project participants as a result of participating in the grant. It is strongly encouraged that farmers and ranchers be included in the proposals. It also is recommended that preproposal authors contact their state SARE coordinator prior to submission. State coordinators are listed at http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdpstco.htm.

The call for preproposals is available through the NCR-SARE Web site at http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdp.htm. You also may request more information by contacting the NCR-SARE office in St. Paul at mailto:ncrsare@umn.edu or (612) 626-3113. Kutka can be reached at mailto:frank.kutka@ndsu.edu or (701) 483-2348, ext. 113. The deadline for proposal submissions is May 25.

The NCR-SARE program receives its funding through the USDA. Previous project reports are available through the national SARE Web site at http://www.sare.org.

NDSU Agriculture Communication