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While it can be a bit of a buzz word at times, sustainability in agriculture is vital for the success of producers and our rural communities. Defined as a holistic approach to farming that emphasizes environmental stewardship, economic profitability and social equity,
sustainable agriculture seeks to meet present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.
In 1988, Congress decided to address the issue of sustainability in agriculture with a grass roots program: SARE, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. Established with the goal of promoting ecologically sound farming practices, North Central SARE provides invaluable resources, education, and, most notably, grant opportunities that empower farmers and researchers alike. Nebraska belongs to a group of 11 other Midwest states in the North Central Region – SARE which has awarded more than $87 million worth of competitive grants since its founding, $8.9 million of which has come to Nebraska directly.
Sustainable agriculture, as articulated by North Central SARE, integrates three main principles: Profitability: Ensuring economic viability for farmers through ecient resource management and innovative business models.
• Stewardship: Promoting practices that enhance the natural resources upon which agriculture depends, such as soil health improvement and water conservation.
• Quality of Life: Prioritizing rural communities’ well-being by supporting fair labor practices, community engagement, and access to locally grown food. Nebraska is home to numerous practitioners of sustainable agriculture who embody these principles in their daily operations. For example, a recent delegation from Kenya visited Center, to learn from a local livestock operation about how holistic and sustainable management practices can be put into action. This cross-continental exchange illustrates how Nebraska’s sustainable agriculture model is not only benefiting local communities but also inspiring and influencing sustainable food systems abroad, especially in regions like Africa where food security challenges are pressing.
North Central-SARE plays a pivotal role in realizing sustain- ability goals by oering a range of grants tailored to support sustainable agriculture initiatives. These grants are accessible to farmers, educators, and researchers, driving innovation and adoption of sustainable practices throughout the region.
This fall, several grant opportunities for SARE funding are now available with submission deadlines closing soon.
• Youth Educator Grants: These grants help youth educators encourage youth to try sustainable practices and explore sustainable agriculture as a viable career option and are up to $6,000 for 23 months. Proposal deadline is November 7th.
• Farmer Rancher Grants: Directly supporting farmers and ranchers, these grants facilitate on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects that contribute to sustainable agriculture’s advancement option and are up to $15,000 for one producer or $30,000 for two or more for up to 23 months. Proposal deadline is December 5th.
Partnership Grants: Encouraging collaborative eorts, part nership grants support projects involving multiple stakeholders, fostering community engagement and knowledge-sharing and are up to $50,000 for 23 months. Proposal deadline is October 17th.
By leveraging these opportunities, stakeholders across the North Central region can innovate, adapt, and lead in sustainable agriculture practices. This proactive approach not only enhances farm profitability and environmental health but also cultivates resilient rural communities prepared to meet future challenges.
For those eager to join this movement or explore grant opportunities, North Central SARE’s website (northcentral.sare. org/grants) serves as a gateway to a brighter, more sustainable agricultural future. You can also reach out to the Nebraska SARE coordinators myself (Ben Beckman) at [email protected] or Katja Koehler-Cole ([email protected]) for information or help.
-Ben Beckman is a beef systems Extension Educator serving northeast Nebraska. He is based out of the Cedar County Extension oce in Hartington. You can reach him by phone: (402) 254-6821 or email: ben. [email protected]
