Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)

The USDA's North Central Region (NCR) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has awarded more than $30 million worth of competitive grants to farmers and ranchers, researchers, educators, public and private institutions, nonprofit groups, and others exploring sustainable agriculture in 12 states.

Since 1988, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program.

Goals

- Foster site-specific, integrated farming systems; satisfy human food and fiber needs;

- enhance environmental quality, natural resource conservation and the integration of on-farm and biological resources;

- enhance the quality of rural life and support owner-operated farms;

- protect human health and safety; and promote crop, livestock and enterprise diversity and the well-being of animals.

America's Heartland

- The 12 NCR states — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin — have a rich agricultural history. The region embodies what most people think of when they envision the Heartland ... endless rows of corn, strong family traditions, quaint rural towns. The Heartland is this, and much more: highly diversified farms, urban-rural partnerships, community-supported agriculture ... The NCR's challenge has been to hold fast to historical roots in a contemporary manner, preserving its place in the front lines of food production and promoting healthy food systems.

- From the wheat and cattle of the high plains to the dairy farms and orchards of the northeast; from the corn, soybeans, and tall grass in our center to horticulture in the Ohio River Valley; from community-supported agriculture to farm cooperatives region-wide, the NCR's agricultural landscape is large and diverse.

- The region's cultural history, agricultural prowess, and innovative new systems behoove us to enhance rural areas and support healthy, productive farms and ranches. SARE strives to sustain NCR agriculture by encouraging research and education on profitable and environmentally sound systems that strengthen communities.

Western SARE goals are:

- Promote good stewardship of the nation's natural resources by providing site-specific, regional and profitable sustainable farming and ranching methods that strengthen agricultural competitiveness; satisfy human food and fiber needs; maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil; conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources and fish and wildlife habitat; and maintain and improve the quality of surface and ground water;

- " Enhance the quality of life for farmers and ranchers and ensure the viability of rural communities, for example, by increasing income and employment - especially profitable self-employment and innovative marketing opportunities in agriculture and rural communities;

- " Protect the health and safety of those involved in food and farm systems by reducing, where feasible and practical, the use of toxic materials in agricultural production, and by optimizing on-farm resources and integrating, where appropriate, biological cycles and controls;

- Promote crop, livestock and enterprise diversification; and

- Examine the regional, economic, social and environmental implications of adopting sustainable agricultural practices and systems.