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September 1, 2005 Take Your Innovative Agriculture Idea One Step Further Many farmers and ranchers have a wealth of ideas for improving their profits and the health of their farms, ranches and communities. However, turning those ideas into reality requires access to information and finances. Both resources are available through the North Central Region (NCR) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program. “NCR-SARE awards competitive grants to farmers and ranchers for on-farm research, demonstrations and education projects,” says Frank Kutka, SARE coordinator and assistant director for North Dakota and South Dakota. Kutka also is a sustainable agriculture specialist at the North Dakota State University Dickinson Research Extension Center. Individuals can apply for farmer/rancher grants of up to $6,000 and groups of three or more can apply for grants of up to $18,000. Grant recipients have up to 21 months to complete their projects and must share their findings with others through reports and outreach activities, such as field days and presentations. In 2004, NCR-SARE received 171 proposals and funded 51 grants totaling $391,678. Approximately $400,000 will be available in 2005 for farmers and ranchers who live in the 12 states of the North Central Region, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. A grant proposal form is available by contacting NCR-SARE at (800) 529-1342 or ncrsare@unl.edu. Proposals are due in the NCR-SARE office by Dec. 1, 2005. For local assistance in writing grants or exploring grant ideas that are ecologically sound, profitable and socially responsible, contact Kutka at (701) 438-2077 or e-mail fkutka@ndsuext.nodak.edu. You also can contact the Extension Service office in your county. Farmer/ rancher grants
have funded a variety of research topics, such as pest and disease management,
crop production, education/outreach, networking, quality-of-life issues,
livestock production, marketing, soil quality, waste management, water
quality and more. ### Source:
Frank Kutka, (701) 438-2077, fkutka@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
