AGRICULTURE PROJECTS FUNDED IN
IOWA
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
IOWA
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
Iowa has been awarded $11,542,071 grants to support 267 projects, including but not limited to, 59 research and/or education projects, 28 professional development projects and 95 producer-led projects. Iowa has also received additional SARE support through multi-state projects.
Some grant programs may have been started or ended, or both, within the selected date range. Complete information may not be available for all grant programs prior to 2016.
| RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| LNC25-520 | Advancing Soil Health and Resilience for Specialty Crop Farmers Through Regional Collaboration | $250,000 | Dena Lewerke Lutheran Services In Iowa | |
| LNC25-522 | Regenerative farmland transition: a new approach to teaching and empowering retiring farmers, landowners and beginning farmers | $244,737 | Martha McFarland Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| LNC25-525 | Transforming Wool into Soil Amendments for Berry Production: A Market and Field Study for Midwest Sheep and Berry Farmers | $249,994 | Dr.Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith Iowa State University | |
| LNC24-510 | Utilization of grape pomace as a sustainable natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials in precooked pork sausage | $183,995 | Dr.Aude Watrelot Iowa State University | |
| LNC22-469 | Prairie strips for enhanced honey production: Can conservation improve apiculture? | $248,659 | Dr.Matthew O'Neal Iowa State University | |
| LNC21-449 | Communities of Practice and Farmer Led Training for Increased Sustainability of Refugee & Immigrant Farms in the North Central Region | $250,000 | Nicholas Wuertz Lutheran Services in Iowa | |
| LNC19-422 | Reuniting the Three Sisters: Native American Intercropping and Soil Health | $200,000 | Dr.Christina Gish Hill Iowa State University | |
| LNC19-425 | Towards widespread adoption of prairie conservation strips: case studies increase expertise of professional farm managers, landowners and farmers | $199,547 | Dr.Laura Jackson Tallgrass Prairie Center, University of Northern Iowa | |
| LNC18-409 | Redefining the Field Edge | $199,351 | Dr.Mark Licht Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University | |
| LNC18-404 | Optimizing mesotunnel systems for sustainable production of cucurbit crops | $193,962 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University | |
| LNC18-400 | Treating Small Grains as a Cash Crop: stepping up small grain variety selection for Cornbelt farmers | $199,817 | Sarah Carlson Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| LNC16-386 | Growing Profitable, Sustainable Farming Businesses with Beginning Refugee Farmers in Central Iowa | $200,000 | Nicholas Wuertz Lutheran Services in Iowa | |
| LNC15-365 | Beekeeper Education and Support in NW Iowa | $63,481 | Dr.Duane Bajema Dordt College | |
| LNC15-370 | Protecting Soybeans from Aphids, as Easy as (Rag) 1, 2, and 3 | $127,247 | Erin Hodgson Iowa State University | |
| LNC15-375 | Economic Evaluation of Cover Crops in Midwest Row Crop Farming | $183,969 | Dr.Alejandro Plastina Iowa State University | |
| LNC14-362 | Cover Crops and Strip Tillage to Promote Soil Quality, Environmental Sustainability, Food Safety, and Profitability in Cucurbit Cropping Systems | $198,353 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University | |
| LNC13-350 | Integrating Perimeter Trap Crops and Row Covers into Cucurbit-crop Farming Systems | $199,250 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University | |
| LNC13-352 | Improved Cover Crop Options for Corn Belt Farmers | $197,608 | Dr.Andy Lenssen Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University | |
| LNC12-346 | Great Plains Agroforestry: Evaluation of Bioenergy Feedstock and Carbon Sequestration as Potential Long-term Revenue Streams to Diversify Landowner Income | $191,212 | Thomas Sauer USDA-ARS | |
| LNC10-317 | Developing a Conservation Education and Outreach Program Targeted at Women Farmland Owners in IA, NE and WI | $81,766 | Ahna Kruzic Women, Food & Agriculture Network | |
| LNC10-323 | Optimizing Row Covers and Perimeter Trap Crops for Cucurbit Pest Management | $174,462 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University Dr.Jean Batzer Iowa State University | |
| LNC09-314 | Mixing Reconstructed Prairie with Cropland to Balance Food and Biofuel Production with Environmental Quality | $174,722 | Dr.Matthew Helmers Iowa State University | |
| LNC08-291 | Facilitating Change: Reducing the Risks of Transitioning to Organic through a Comprehensive Farmer-and Extension-Based Training Program | $144,543 | Kathleen Delate Iowa State University | |
| LNC08-293 | Bioenergy and Diversity from Sustainable Systems and Crops | $138,638.35 | Sarah Carlson Practical Farmers of Iowa Dr.Rick Exner Practical Farmers of iowa | |
| LNC07-284 | Implementing biointensive pest management and evaluating hard cider manufacturing to increase sustainability of apple production | $129,427 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University | |
| LNC07-289 | Grass-fed and Organic Beef: Production Cost and Profit Potential | $149,966 | Mary Holz-Clause Iowa State Unversity Extension Dr.Margaret Smith Iowa State University | |
| LNC06-271 | Working Alternatives to Re-cropping Marginal Lands | $100,000 | Chris Nelson Southern Iowa Forage & Livestock Committee Melissa Maynes Southern Iowa Forage & Livestock | |
| LNC05-255 | Improving Soil Quality During and After Organic Transition | $145,509 | Kathleen Delate Iowa State University | |
| LNC05-257 | Double Cropping Field Peas Offer Economic Sustainability for Midwest Swine Producers | $109,651 | Dr.Jim Fawcett Iowa State University | |
| LNC05-259 | Practical Biodiversity: Keeping Oat on Farms by Helping Farmers Enhance Disease Resistance | $111,548 | Dr.Emily Heaton University of Illinois | |
| LNC04-241 | Teaching Tomorrow’s Leaders in Sustainable Agriculture | $57,969 | Robert De Haan Dordt College | |
| LNC04-242 | Evaluation of Health Benefits of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)-Enriched Dairy and Beef Foods | $150,000 | Teresa Steffens Resource Conservation and Development for Northeast Iowa, Inc | |
| LNC03-230 | Research Alliance for Farrowing, the Weak Link in Alternative Swine Systems | $149,759 | Dr.Rick Exner Practical Farmers of iowa | |
| LNC02-213 | Implementing Sustainable Management of Muskmelon Diseases, Weeds, and Insect Pests in Partnership with Iowa Growers | $95,441 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University | |
| LNC01-198.1 | Completion of Soil Fertility Paradigms Evaluated through Collaboration On-Farm and On-Station | $20,288 | Dr.Rick Exner Practical Farmers of iowa | |
| LNC00-164 | Technology Transfer of Grazing System Components to Producers Implementing Sustainable Rotational Grazing Systems | $24,587 | Mark D. Boswell Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee | |
| LNC00-166 | Expanding local markets through linking institutional food buyers to local farmers and processors in Northeast Iowa | $43,000 | Kamyar Enshayan University of Northern Iowa | |
| LNC00-167 | Southeast Iowa Agroforestry Demonstration | $9,650 | Christa Perkins Geode RC&D/USDA-NRCS | |
| LNC00-171 | Perennial Grass Covers Affect Long-Term Soil Quality | $96,100 | James Raich Iowa State University | |
| LNC99-160 | Integrating Organic Soybean Production following Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Land into Sustainable Farming Systems | $27,500 | Kathleen Delate Iowa State University | |
| LNC98-132 | Producer-Owned Cooperative to Process and Market Sustainably Produced Pork | $23,590 | Dennis Smith Iowa Farmers Union | |
| LNC98-138 | Soil Fertility Paradigms Evaluated through Collaboration On-Farm and On-Station | $59,027 | Dr.Rick Exner Practical Farmers of iowa | |
| LNC97-114 | Combining Landscape and Augmentative Biological Control to Suppress European Corn Borer Populations in Sustainable Low-Input Systems | $92,740 | Leslie Lewis Iowa State University | |
| LNP97-001 | Legal Guide for Farm Marketers | $6,000 | Neil Hamilton Drake University Law School | |
| LNC96-097 | The Adams County CRP Research and Demonstration Project | $52,000 | Douglas Brown Okey Vernon First National Bank | |
| LNC96-107 | Integration of Indigenous Knowledge of Sustainable Agricultural Systems | $15,000 | Dr.Cornelia Butler Flora Iowa State University | |
| LNC95-080 | Importing a Sustainable Model of Feeder Pig Production from Sweden: A Cooperative Project | $81,513 | Mark Honeyman Iowa State University | |
| LNC95-084 | FFA Participation in On-Farm Demonstrations of New Tools for Optimizing use of Animal Manures in Crop Production | $90,000 | Alfred Blackmer Iowa State University | |
| LNC95-093 | Regional Inventory and Assessment Project (QOL) | $146,204 | Dr.Cornelia Butler Flora Iowa State University | |
| LNC94-066 | Investigation of the Viability of Growing Herbs as Alternative Crops for Iowa Farmers | $50,260 | Eric Franzenburg Benton Development Group | |
| LNC94-071 | Production of a Videotape Series Demonstrating Improved Grazing Practices to Promote Forage-Based Livestock Production in the Upper Midwest | $19,200 | James Russell Dept of Animal Science, Iowa State University | |
| LNC92-044 | On-Farm Research and Demonstration of Ridge Tillage for Sustainable Agriculture | $75,867 | Dr.Rick Exner Practical Farmers of iowa | |
| LNC92-051 | Training for Forage Production and Intensive Grazing on Highly Erodible Land After CRP Contracts | $12,445 | Bill Bartenhagen Southern Iowa Forage Committee | |
| LNC91-036 | Demonstration of Livestock Grazing as an Alternative to Row Crops on Highly Erodible Land Following CRP Contracts | $40,340 | Bill Bartenhagen Southern Iowa Forage Committee | |
| LNC89-017.1 | Effect of Tillage and Weed Control Alternatives on Crop Rotations | $40,000 | Richard Cruse Iowa State University | |
| LNC89-018.1 | Making the Conversion from Conventional to Sustainable Agriculture: A Videotape Series for Farmers | $30,000 | Jerald DeWitt Iowa State University | |
| LNC88-002 | An Economic Analysis of Producer and Industry Level Impacts of Low-Input Agriculture | $25,000 | James Kliebenstein Iowa State University | |
| LNC88-017 | Effect of Tillage and Weed Control Alternatives on Crop Rotation | $40,000 | Richard Cruse Iowa State University | |
| LNC88-018 | Making the Conversion from Conventional to Sustainable Agriculture: A Videotape Series for Farmers | $20,000 | Jerald DeWitt Iowa State University | |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ENC24-240 | Advancing conservation professional's skills at the agriculture and conservation interface | $120,000 | Adam Janke Iowa State University | |
| ENC22-219 | Agricultural Systems Education for Grassroots Sustainable Agriculture Educators | $89,794 | Sally Worley Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| ENC19-176 | Supporting sustainable small-scale animal agriculture through development of biological risk management educational materials | $90,000 | Dr.Renee Dewell, DVM, MS Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine | |
| ENC19-180 | Training extension professionals, high school educators, and local food coordinators on basic and advanced aspects of sustainable vegetable production | $79,159 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University | |
| ENC19-186 | Expanding and Diversifying Farmer-Educator Capacity through Ambassador Academies | $89,789 | Sally Worley Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| ENC18-168 | Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa | $75,000 | Rosalyn Lehman Iowa Organic Association | |
| ENC17-161 | Training extension educators and local food professionals on sustainable vegetable pest management tools and techniques | $74,994 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University | |
| ENC16-153 | Building capacity of agricultural educators to grow sustainable food systems in Iowa | $74,742 | Craig Chase Iowa State University | |
| ENC16-155 | Training agricultural professionals and extension educators manage crop environment and soil quality in high tunnel vegetable production | $69,924 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University | |
| ENC16-156 | Increasing Conservation Investment, Cover Crops and Third Crops in Iowa through Farmer-Led Educational Programs | $73,447 | Sally Worley Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| ENC13-137 | Women Caring for the Land: Improving Conservation Outreach to Non-operator Female Farmland Owners | $61,054 | Ahna Kruzic Women, Food & Agriculture Network | |
| ENC12-132 | Educating Agricultural Professionals and Extension Educators in Developing Sustainable and Resilient Cropping Systems through Integration of Cover Crops | $59,296 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University | |
| ENC12-136 | Building Capacity for Climate Extension | $65,934 | Dr.Lois Wright Morton Iowa State University | |
| ENC11-121 | Community Capacity Building to Strengthen the Links within the Iowa Local Foods Value Chain | $42,472 | Linda Naeve Iowa State University Extension and Outreach | |
| ENC11-123 | Building the Capacity of ANNIES Educators to Help Women Farmers and Ranchers Improve Agricultural Sustainability | $75,000 | Madeline Schultz Iowa State University Extension and Outreach | |
| ENC08-101 | Learning how to use communities of practice to address sustainable agriculture issues | $65,958 | Richard Pirog Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Beth Larabee Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture | |
| ENC07-094 | Impact of Biomass Removal for Bioenergy on Soil and Water Quality | $50,000 | Dr.Mahdi Al-Kaisi Iowa State University | |
| ENC02-070 | Training for New Food and Farming Ventures: Iowa Café Part II | $74,064 | Craig Chase Iowa State University | |
| ENC01-059 | Building Capacity to Support Small Farm Profitability | $57,644 | Gary Huber Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| ENC00-048 | Building Capacity to Support Local Food System and Community Marketing Efforts in Iowa | $39,201 | Robert Karp Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| ENC00-050 | Participatory website development for soil quality education and assessment to improve agroecosystem management | $53,536.84 | Susan Andrews USDA-ARS NSTL | |
| ENP00-002 | Evaluation of National Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Projects | $25,000 | Kathleen Delate Iowa State University | |
| ENC99-041 | Toolbox Training for Sustainable Agriculture Education | $35,800 | Wendy Wintersteen Iowa State University, Extension Administration | |
| ENC98-032 | Planning Sustainable Grazing Systems | $45,740 | Mark D. Boswell Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee | |
| ENP98-001 | Development of Sustainable Ag Information Material for Farmers and Ranchers | $50,744 | Kim Kroll University of Maryland | |
| ENC97-020 | Legal Guide for Farm Marketers | $36,250 | Neil Hamilton Drake University Law School | |
| ENC97-026 | Multi-Agency On-Farm Sustainable Agriculture Training | $15,335 | Richard Thompson Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| ENC95-010 | Building Collaborative Partnerships with Farming Systems Research and Extension | $20,680 | Dr.Cornelia Butler Flora Iowa State University | |
| FARMER/RANCHER GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| FNC25-1452 | Managing Temperate Forests For Nut Oil Production | $14,585 | Levi Geyer Fancy Twig Farm | |
| FNC24-1429 | Energy-free Moisture Collection and Utilization System for Irrigating Nut Trees | $11,270 | Reuben Peterson Peterson farm | |
| FNC23-1375 | Interseeding cover crops and grazing cattle to improve soil health, water infliltration, and profitability within an Organic transition. | $29,968 | Andrew Getting Getting Farms LTD | |
| FNC22-1357 | Cover Crop Prescribed Burning and Nutrient Profile | $11,743 | Ana Timmer The Cornucopia | |
| FNC22-1348 | Wide Row Cover Crop Demonstrations for Soil and Water Quality Improvement | $28,870 | Bob Recker Cedar Valley Innovation LLC | |
| FNC21-1278 | Establishing a Temperature Gradient to Enhance Geothermal Heating and Cooling of a High Tunnel | $6,555 | Eric Jellum Jellum Farm | |
| FNC21-1285 | New Variety Strawberry Trial for Iowa | $3,328 | Jennifer and Raymond Kruse White Blossom Farm | |
| FNC21-1289 | A monthly planner that combines phenology and beekeeping to improve honey production and native foraging habitat | $9,000 | Julia McGuire Julia McGuire | |
| FNC21-1297 | Demonstration of Utilization of Cover Crops in Wide Row Corn to Improve Soil Health | $26,576 | Bob Recker Cedar Valley Innovation LLC | |
| FNC21-1314 | Companion Planting of Sunflowers in Vineyards for Pest Bird Management | $25,670 | Kristy Walker Walker Homestead Farm & Winery, INC | |
| FNC20-1249 | Evaluating raised-bed, no-till vegetable production systems for farm profitability, efficiency, and resilience | $17,977 | Jordan Scheibel Middle Way Farm, LLC | |
| FNC20-1222 | Evaluating soil media for vertical hydroponic strawberry production | $6,521 | Joseph Hannan Roscommon Berry Farm | |
| FNC20-1215 | Beetle Bank Installation and Education on Matthew 25’s Cultivate Hope Urban Farm | $9,000 | Zach D'Amico Matthew 25 | |
| FNC19-1163 | Development and Testing of a Drainable Floating Fish Tank for Fish Culture in Deep Water Bodies | $9,000 | Jim Frey Jim Frey Fish Hatchery | |
| FNC19-1158 | Evaluating direct to consumer marketing of Midwest grown hops. | $8,821 | Keri Byrum Byrum Farms | |
| FNC19-1177 | Local Meal Kits: CSA Adaptation for Sustainability | $27,000 | Jan Libbey One Step at a Time Gardens | |
| FNC18-1122 | Establishing the Value of Flower Companions in Cucurbits | $7,500 | Rob Faux Genuine Faux Farm | |
| FNC17-1080 | Decreasing Energy Use and Cost of Grain Drying by Extending Drying Period Using Ground-Stored Heat | $6,548 | Eric Jellum Jellum Farm | |
| FNC16-1055 | Developing Sustainable Roller Crimped Cover Cropping Systems for Corn and Soybean Production: Effects on Cover Crop Winter Hardiness, Biomass, N Mobilization, Weed Suppression and Yields | $14,893 | Dr.Billy Sammons Sammons Custom Farming | |
| FNC16-1066 | Developing Effective Alternative Pest and Disease Management Strategies for Sustainable Hop Production | $6,472 | Carla Wosoba Wosoba Farms Hops | |
| FNC15-1000 | Feed Efficiency in Cattle | $4,836 | Jeff Liston Turtle Rock Cattle | |
| FNC15-1014 | Organic No-till Pumpkins with Roller/Crimper Rye and Oat Cover Crops | $3,751 | Nelson Smith Springtown Ranch Ltd | |
| FNC15-996 | Invasive Species Control through Combined Methods of Browzing and Prescribed Burning | $14,865 | Ray Hansen Prairiewood Farms | |
| FNC14-975 | Farmer-Built No-Welding Root Washer for Small Farmers | $13,892 | Grant Schultz Versaland | |
| FNC13-907 | Pest Control in Cucurbits Using Paper Mulch and Intercropping | $7,500 | Rob Faux Genuine Faux Farm | |
| FNC13-910 | Demonstrating Russian Queen Bees Resistance to Mites to Benefit Midwest Beekeepers | $22,490.50 | Jason Foley Foley's Russian Bees | |
| FNC13-912 | Grass-Fed Beef Nutritional Analysis for Consumer Education and Labeling | $22,260 | Kristine Jepsen Grass Run Farm, Inc | |
| FNC13-915 | Exploring Collaboration Strategies in North Central Iowa | $22,487 | Jan Libbey One Step at a Time Gardens | |
| FNC12-859 | Evaluating Value Added Grape Seed Oil Research Project for Sustainable Viticulture | $22,336.96 | Douglas Grave Victorian Vineyards | |
| FNC12-861 | Economic Evaluation of Aquaponics | $7,475.22 | Jeff Hafner | |
| FNC12-877 | Rainwater Harvesting for Irrigation of Organic Vegetables | $7,413 | Levi Lyle LIFE- Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprises | |
| FNC10-806 | Growing and Propagating Giant Miscanthus Grass for Biomass Production and Natural Resource Conservation | $5,979 | Randy Kasparbauer Dennis Kasparbauer Kasparbauer family farm | |
| FNC10-814 | Maintaining Companion Planting Techniques while Mechanizing in Diverse, Small-Farm Vegetable Operations | $6,000 | Rob Faux Genuine Faux Farm | |
| FNC10-839 | Develop Sustainable Biomass Crop Production Systems that Foster Agra-Ecosystem Services | $9,046.39 | Norm Lust | |
| FNC09-776 | Project to Determine the Economic Viability of Black Soldier Fly Grubs as an Alternative Protein | $5,001.90 | Mari Holthaus Kymar Acres | |
| FNC07-665 | Farmer-Led Networking Groups to Support New Vegetable Growers | $10,304 | Susan Jutz | |
| FNC06-624 | Agro-Forestry Project: Incorporating Grass-Hay Alley Cropping With Organic Nut Production | $5,985 | Ray Hansen Prairiewood Farms | |
| FNC05-561 | Aronia Berry: A Sustainable Organic Crop | $5,990 | Vaughn Pittz Sawmill Hollow Farm | |
| FNC05-562 | Composting Corn for Heat Recovery | $6,000 | Eric Jellum Jellum Farm | |
| FNC04-500 | Value-Added Forestry Through a Cooperative | $18,000 | Greg Koether | |
| FNC04-504 | Growing Peas As a Protein Source for Organic Livestock | $1,031 | William Welsh Welsh Family Organic Farm | |
| FNC04-514 | Wood-fired Heat for an Alternative Winter Farrowing System | $2,698 | Gary Laydon | |
| FNC04-537 | Functional Value-Added Fruit and Vegetable Processing, Product Development, and Marketing for Small Farms | $17,646 | Solveig Hanson | |
| FNC04-538 | Picket Fence Creamery-Milk from Cow to Carton "Bridging the Gap Between City - Country Through Web-site Education and a Field Day Open House" | $5,940 | Jeff Burkhart | |
| FNC03-447 | Picket Fence Creamery... to Sustain a Family Farm and Preserve a Way of Life | $6,000 | Jeff Burkhart | |
| FNC03-453 | Using Flathead Catfish to Renovate Ponds Overrun with Bullheads Improving Water Quality Within and Exiting the Ponds | $5,655 | James Blankman | |
| FNC03-459 | Local Foods Buying Club | $13,970 | Michael Nash Sunflower Fields Family Farm & CSA | |
| FNC03-463 | Value Added Processing for Small Sized Chestnuts | $2,868 | Tom Wahl | |
| FNC03-469 | Evaluating Alternative Pest Management Strategies for Organic Apple Production | $6,000 | Maury Wills Wills Family Orchard | |
| FNC03-474 | Over-Wintering of Beef Cows by Grazing Standing Corn as a Cost Effective Alternative to Stockpile Grazing or Stored Feed | $1,687 | Bruce River | |
| FNC03-486 | Deep Placement of Compost | $5,948 | Eric Jellum Jellum Farm | |
| FNC02-392 | Feasibility of Grapes as a Sustainable Crop in Northwest Iowa | $5,982 | Steven King | |
| FNC02-399 | Double Croping of Hay and Turnips | $5,774 | Steve Hermann | |
| FNC02-405 | Wholesome Harvest: The Expansion of Successful Collective Marketing | $18,000 | Wende Elliott | |
| FNC02-431 | Eastern European Wine Grape Varieties for Commercial Use in the Upper Midwest: Evaluation of Viticultural Characteristics in a Test Vineyard | $5,520 | Paul Tabor Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery | |
| FNC02-433 | Trio Cropping Demonstration- Grapes, Sweet Corn, Poultry | $2,800 | Greg Kuntz | |
| FNC02-436 | Feeding Hens for Optimum Egg Quality | $3,060 | Ben Varley | |
| FNC01-343 | An Evaluation of Interplanted / Mulched Orchard Rows | $4,751 | David Sliwa | |
| FNC01-357 | Potential Markets for the Prairie's Edge Sustainable Woods Cooperative | $15,000 | Wayne Wangsness | |
| FNC00-293 | Mulching Soybeans | $678 | Sister Sherry Pech Olm Abbey | |
| FNC00-299 | iowafood.com | $2,000 | Wende Elliott | |
| FNC00-311 | Learning and Evaluating Holistic Animal Health Practices | $2,800 | Susan Zacharakis Jutz | |
| FNC00-320 | Sheep and Lamb Leather Marketing | $4,700 | Tom Cory | |
| FNC00-326 | GROWN Locally Grower's Cooperative Website | $9,400 | Michael Nash Sunflower Fields Family Farm & CSA | |
| FNC99-255 | Pasture Aeration to Improve Production | $4,150 | Rex Wilhelm | |
| FNC99-261 | Oak Savanna Restoration: Diversity in a Rotational Grazing System | $3,564 | Don Adams | |
| FNC99-289 | Crop-bearing Windbreak/Shelterbelt Project | $8,970 | Tom Wahl | |
| FNC98-205 | Deer Damage Abatement Research Project | $3,627 | Gary Mensinger | |
| FNC98-218 | Specialty Meats Marketing Project at Sycamore Street Market | $9,984 | Phil and Barbara Hueneke Phil and Barbara Hueneke Farm | |
| FNC98-223 | Establishing On-farm Management Systems for Grass-fed Beef | $4,980 | Doug Erickson | |
| FNC98-226 | Chariton Valley Beef Industry Initiative: Producer Cost-share for Technology Adoption and Market Access | $9,875 | Mike Hunter Chariton Valley Beef | |
| FNC98-227 | Chariton Valley Beef Industry Initiative: Producer Cost Share for Technology Adoption and Market Access | $9,875 | Mike Hunter Chariton Valley Beef | |
| FNC98-233 | Organic Livestock Marketing Coop | $10,000 | Ronald Rosmann | |
| FNC98-242 | Kura Clover Cover Crop Demonstration | $1,290 | Dan Byrnes | |
| FNC98-246 | Prairie Wetlands | $2,836 | David Zahrt | |
| FNC97-173 | Feasibility of Corn Stalk Ash as a Fertilizer Source | $4,974 | David Reinig | |
| FNC97-175 | Converting Woodlands into a Profitable Shade Plant Nursery | $2,925 | Sylvia DeWitt | |
| FNC97-184 | Trees for Food | $5,000 | Mary Carter | |
| FNC96-130 | Organic Farming Mentor Project | $10,000 | Francis Thicke | |
| FNC96-131 | Comparison of Finishing Pig Performance in a Hoophouse Building vs. a Conventional, Slatted, Curtain-Side Building | $1,775 | Steve Weis | |
| FNC96-137 | Non-chemical Suppression of Perennial Weeds | $9,875 | Tom Frantzen | |
| FNC96-138 | Iowa Network for Community Agriculture: Forming a Network to Support Producer Initiatives for Local Food Systems | $9,850 | Jeff Hall | |
| FNC96-146 | Rural Action Agricultural Center | $9,580 | Karen Varley | |
| FNC96-148 | Comprehensive Integrated Agroforestry Project | $4,838 | Tom Wahl | |
| FNC95-095 | Intensive Grazing Economic Study | $4,545 | Marshall Pitcher | |
| FNC95-100 | Suitablity of Hardy, Non-native Forage-adapted Meat Sheep to North American Management Intensive Grazing System | $5,000 | Stephanie Mitcham | |
| FNC95-124 | Evaluation of Kura Clover in Intensive Grazing Systems | $538 | David Kendell | |
| FNC95-127 | Converting Continuous Grazing to Management Intensive Grazing: Loess Hills Restoration | $3,399 | David Zahrt | |
| FNC94-060 | Continuing Study Relating Potassium Uptake to Manure and Tillage | $2,500 | Richard Thompson Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| FNC94-084 | Evaluation of an Alternative Farming Concept Strip Cropping and Pasture-Raised Hogs | $1,550 | Tom Frantzen | |
| FNC93-031 | Utilizing a Portable Scale to Evaluate Crop and Livestock Production | $1,388 | Tom Frantzen | |
| FNC93-039 | Potassium Uptake in Relation to Manure Application and Tillage Practices | $5,000 | Richard Thompson Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| FNC93-042 | Hazelnuts for Windbreak and Alternative Cash Crop | $575 | Michael Natvig | |
| FNC92-001 | Evaluation of Various Legumes for use as Green Manure Cover Crops | $2,715 | Phil and Barbara Hueneke Phil and Barbara Hueneke Farm | |
| FNC92-002 | Evaluation of Ridge Tilling with and without Herbicides | $3,885 | Ronald Rosmann | |
| GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| GNC25-426 | Quantifying Nitrogen and Sulfur Release from Winter Hardy Legume Cover Crops Using 15N and 34S Stable Isotopes Labeling | $19,998 | Dr.Richard Roth Iowa State University Dr.Shalamar Armstrong Purdue University Adam Yakubu Iowa State University | |
| GNC23-383 | Evaluating Efficacy of Organic Herbicides on Common Weed Species in the North Central Region | $14,879 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University Carly Strauser Iowa State University | |
| GNC22-345 | Supporting Climate Dialogue in Agricultural Communities: Artistic Strategies for Engagement | $14,991 | Dr.Monica Haddad Iowa State University Vivian Cook Iowa State University | |
| GNC21-330 | The Effects of Collective Trauma on Iowa Farmers | $13,618 | Dr.J. Arbuckle Iowa State University Department of Sociology Chris Morris Iowa State University | |
| GNC21-319 | Soil Health Indicators in Areas Affected by Pipeline Installation | $14,964 | Dr.Bradley Miller Iowa State University Luis Bentancor Iowa State University | |
| GNC21-322 | Evaluating the soil block technique for organic vegetable transplant production | $14,926 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University Anne Carey Iowa State University | |
| GNC21-318 | Managing teff as a living mulch for organic acorn squash in mesotunnel systems | $14,962 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University Sharon Badilla Iowa State University | |
| GNC19-291 | A Comparative Analysis of Iowa Watershed Organizations: Structure, Function, and Social Infrastructure | $15,000 | Dr.Monica Haddad Iowa State University Andrea Wagner Iowa State University | |
| GNC18-257 | Linking Agricultural Production and Conservation Through In-field Prairie Plantings | $10,781 | Dr.Matt Liebman Iowa State University Lydia English Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| GNC18-261 | The Effects of Two Winter Rye Cover Crop Seeding Methods on Corn Disease, Growth and Development | $11,817 | Alison Robertson Iowa State University Sarah Kurtz Iowa State University | |
| GNC18-266 | How Much Does Diversification Improve Soil Water Holding Capacity? | $11,543 | Dr.Matt Liebman Iowa State University Virginia Nichols Iowa State University | |
| GNC17-236 | Integration of poultry and cover crops for soil health in vegetable production | $11,977 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University Moriah Bilenky Purdue University | |
| GNC16-221 | Factors Driving Grain Producers to Convert to Organic Farming Systems | $12,000 | Dr.Nancy Grudens-Schuck Iowa State University Guang Han Iowa State University | |
| GNC16-222 | Determining Whether Cover Crops Affect Soybean Cyst Nematode Population Densities and can be Used for Integrated Pest Management | $11,976 | Dr.Greg Tylka Iowa State University Chelsea Harbach Iowa State University | |
| GNC15-216 | Optimizing Organic Oat (Avena sativa) Production and Profitability in Iowa | $9,985 | Dr.Mary Wiedenhoeft Iowa State Univ David Weisberger Iowa State University | |
| GNC14-189 | No-till and Strip-till Systems for Enhanced Soil Health and Profitability in Organic Broccoli and Pepper Production | $9,946 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University Dana Jokela Sogn Valley Farm | |
| GNC14-193 | Diversification of Corn-Soybean Rotations with Cereal Rye/Red Clover: Impacts on Nitrogen Availability in Corn | $9,144 | Dr.Matt Liebman Iowa State University William Osterholz Iowa State University | |
| GNC13-166 | Effects of Biochar on Soil Nutrient Retention and Microbial Communities in Vegetable Cropping Systems | $9,367 | Dr.Ajay Nair Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University Brandon Carpenter Iowa State University | |
| GNC13-176 | Suitability of Winter Canola (Brassica napus) for Enhancing Summer Annual Crop Rotations in Iowa | $10,000 | Dr.Mary Wiedenhoeft Iowa State Univ Rafael Martinez-Feria Iowa State University | |
| GNC12-156 | Needs Assessment for the Establishment of Food Hubs Using Geographic Information Systems | $9,902 | Dr.Cynthia Haynes Iowa State University Jennifer Bousselot Iowa State University Kevin Duerfeldt Iowa State University | |
| GNC10-119 | Evaluating Canola and Winter Cover in Alternative Cropping Systems in Iowa | $9,922 | Dr.Mary Wiedenhoeft Iowa State Univ Stefan Gailans Iowa State University | |
| GNC10-132 | Relationships Between Cucurbit Crop Pollinators and Landscape Diversity | $10,000 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University Amy Alesch Iowa State University | |
| GNC10-136 | Evaluating Methods for Making Native Plants Productive and Profitable on the Iowa Landscape | $9,979.42 | Dr.Mary Wiedenhoeft Iowa State Univ Rachael Cox Ohde Iowa State University | |
| GNC09-103 | Producer Education of Nitrate Reduction Strategies and Evaluation of Acceptance | $9,953 | Dr.Matthew Helmers Iowa State University Dr.Laura Christianson University of Illinois | |
| GNC09-105 | Farming for Ecosystem Services: Visualization of Alternative Working Landscapes | $9,996.50 | Dr.Lisa Schulte Moore Iowa State University Drake Larsen Iowa State University | |
| GNC09-107 | Incorporating Native Prairies into Working Farm Landscapes | $9,965 | Dr.Emily Heaton University of Illinois Dr.Matt Liebman Iowa State University Meghann Jarchow Iowa State University | |
| GNC09-111 | Corn Residue Removal Impacts on Soil, Water, and Air Resources for Biofuel Production | $10,000 | Dr.Mahdi Al-Kaisi Iowa State University Jose Guzman Iowa State University | |
| GNC09-112 | Extended-duration row covers to suppress bacterial wilt on muskmelon: optimizing a new management strategy for organic growers | $9,976 | Dr.Mark Gleason Iowa State University Erika Saalau Rojas Iowa State University | |
| GNC08-089 | Farm to ISU: Helping Iowa State University Dining Staff Understand and Grow the Local Food Purchasing Program | $9,132 | Shashi Sathisan-Nambisan Iowa State University Susan DeBlieck Iowa State University | |
| GNC07-078 | Energy use and nutrient cycling in pig production systems | $9,969 | Mark Honeyman Iowa State University Peter Lammers Iowa State University | |
| GNC07-085 | Small Meat Lockers Working Group | $9,131 | Dr.Cornelia Butler Flora Iowa State University Arion Thiboumery North Central Regional Center forRural Development | |
| GNC06-060 | New Partners for Sustainable Agriculture | $10,000 | Dr.Nancy Grudens-Schuck Iowa State University Jean Eells | |
| GNC06-061 | Emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) from riparian forest buffers, warm-season and cool-season grass filters and crop fields. | $9,990 | Richard Schultz Iowa State University Dong-Gill Kim Iowa State University | |
| GNC05-041 | Agricultural Landscape Design through Participatory Modeling: Collaboration among Diverse Stakeholder Groups | $9,998.38 | Dr.Lisa Schulte Moore Iowa State University Ryan Atwell Natural Resource Ecology, Iowa State University | |
| GNC05-049 | Assessing the Feasibility of Entry into Entrepreneurial Agriculture for Recent Immigrants in Marshalltown, Iowa | $6,891 | Dr.Jan Flora Iowa State University Hannah Lewis Iowa State University | |
| GNC05-055 | Illinois bundleflower: a perennial multiple purpose third crop for Iowa | $9,962 | Dr.E. Charles Brummer University of California - Davis Valentin Picasso University of Wisconsin - Madison | |
| GNC04-029 | Transferring Information from Research lab to Farm Field: Evaluation of On-Farm Soil Quality Tests Kits for Grower Use in Sustainable Strawberry Production | $9,988 | Gail Nonnecke ISU Horticulture Department Craig Dilley ISU Horticulture Department | |
| GNC03-013 | Restoring Organic Agri-Culture: Resource Conservation, On-Farm Recycling, and Alternative Marketing Taught though Farmers and Farm Organizations | $9,594 | Ricardo Salvador Parker Forsell Iowa State University | |
| GNC03-018 | Developing Educational Tools to Facilitate Systems Thinking in Sustainable Agriculture in the North Central Region | $9,862 | Dr.Matt Liebman Iowa State University Andrew Heggenstaller Iowa State University | |
| GNC03-022 | Are Livestock Grazing and Healthy Streams Compatible? Livestock Grazing Systems that Reduce Erosion and Improve Stream Bank Stability | $10,000 | Richard Schultz Iowa State University George Zaimes Iowa State University | |
| GNC02-007 | Effect of Alternative Fungicides on Alternaria solani Control and Productivity of Organic Tomatoes | $7,500 | Hank Tabor Kathleen Delate Iowa State University Karen Joslin Warren Wilson College | |
| ON FARM RESEARCH/PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ONC25-169 | Beekeeper Business Education Retreat | $8,044 | Julia McGuire Julia McGuire | |
| ONC25-160 | Innovating Dairy: Demonstrating Niche Markets for Iowa Producers | $49,482 | Gail Carpenter Iowa State University | |
| ONC25-167 | Using Farmer Experience and Vegetation Surveys To Inform New Technical Guidance for Brush Management in Conservation Reserve Program Plantings | $49,728 | Dr.Laura Jackson Tallgrass Prairie Center, University of Northern Iowa | |
| ONC25-168 | Soil Health Management Practice Impacts on Soil Health on Vegetable Farms | $49,830 | Emma Link Practical Farmers of Iowa | |
| ONC24-156 | Improving Viability for Small Farms Operated by Underserved Producers through Scaled Market Connections and Cooperative Sales | $49,999 | April Heki In Harmony Farm | |
| ONC24-152 | Increasing Highly Digestible Forage Density per Acre Utilizing No-till, Cover Crops, and Manure Application | $46,492 | Dave Lawstuen Northeast Iowa Community College | |
| ONC24-146 | Ecological Outcome Verification: Could it be the incentive that catalyzes scalable change across Midwestern dairy farms? | $50,000 | Phil Forbes Kalona Regenerative Network | |
| ONC24-140 | Insight into Action: A Needs-Based Assessment of Four Sustainable Farms in Iowa | $50,000 | Lori Scovel Sustainable Iowa Land Trust | |
| ONC24-137 | From the Vine to Wine Production: Grape and Wine Producer Antimicrobial Resistance Curriculum | $49,988 | Dr.Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith Iowa State University Suzanne Slack Iowa State University | |
| ONC23-130 | Harvesting Our Potential: Mentoring New Sustainable Farmers | $50,000 | Juliann Salinas WFAN Stephanie Enloe Women Food and Agriculture Network | |
| ONC23-127 | Beekeeper Learning Circles | $29,741 | Julia McGuire Julia McGuire | |
| ONC23-123 | Rematriation Partnership: Orchard Establishment and Care | $45,238 | Cindy Goodner Seed Savers Exchange | |
| ONC23-133 | Adaptive Pruning of Cold-Hardy Commercial Wine Grape Cultivars | $48,166 | Randall Vos Iowa State University Extension and Outreach | |
| ONC22-110 | Exploring Iowa Agritourism Ventures | $40,000 | Kendra Meyer Iowa State University Extension & Outreach | |
| ONC22-107 | The Kitchen: Where Food Businesses Grow in North IA | $40,000 | Andrea Evelsizer Healthy Harvest of North Iowa | |
| ONC22-106 | Urban and Rural Mentorships for Aspiring and Beginning Women Farmers | $40,000 | Stephanie Enloe Women Food and Agriculture Network | |
| ONC21-091 | Seed Rematriation Using a Participatory Conservation Model | $40,000 | Heather Haynes Seed Savers Exchange Cindy Goodner Seed Savers Exchange | |
| ONC21-092 | Harvesting Our Potential: Growing Skills, Confidence and Sustainability | $40,000 | Juliann Salinas WFAN Stephanie Enloe Women Food and Agriculture Network | |
| ONC20-070 | Full Trucks for Higher Profits: Transportation Collaboration among Farmers and Food Hubs in the Midwest | $39,930 | Jason Grimm Iowa Valley RC&D | |
| ONC20-071 | Seed Rematriation Using a Participatory Conservation Model | $40,000 | Cindy Goodner Seed Savers Exchange Heather Haynes Seed Savers Exchange | |
| ONC19-059 | Women farmland owners as sustainability ambassadors: educating farmers and other landowners to make changes | $39,832 | Ahna Kruzic Women, Food and Agriculture Network Juliann Salinas WFAN | |
| ONC19-056 | Hazelnut-Finished Pork in the Upper Midwest: A New High-Value Product From A Sustainable Production System | $39,777 | Jason Fischbach UW-Madison, Division of Extension | |
| ONC19-055 | SILT Development and Implementation of Iowa Landowners Guide to Sustainable Food Crops | $33,365 | Jennifer Beltran SILT | |
| ONC17-031 | Agronomy in the Field: A Women’s Cohort for Increasing Capacity of Agronomic and Conservation Principles | $29,999 | Angela Rieck-Hinz Iowa State University | |
| ONC16-013 | Collaborative Food Supply Chains for Iowa’s Farmers | $30,000 | Jason Grimm Iowa Valley RC&D | |
| YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| YENC25-227 | Investing in Tomorrow's Leaders: The ICCSD Farm-to-Future Earth Internship School | $6,000 | Dominic Audia Iowa City Community School District Carmen Gwenigale Iowa City Community School District Jason Grimm Iowa Valley RC&D | |
| YENC25-228 | Future Farmer Apprenticeship and Youth Employment Program at Local Harvest CSA | $6,000 | Carmen Black Local Harvest CSA | |
| YENC25-234 | Engaging Youth in Aquaculture: Storytelling The Miraculous Journey of the Pacific Sockeye Salmon & the Epic Loggerhead Sea Turtle | $6,000 | La Sonya Luther NA | |
| YENC20-153 | Establishing an Uncommon Orchard with Native Plant Understory | $4,000 | Mark Quee Scattergood Friends School | |
| YENC18-125 | Paddocks, Pastures and People | $2,000 | Dr.Amy Powell Iowa State University / Extension and Outreach | |
| YENC18-132 | Ag Arts Partnership for Southwest Iowa | $2,000 | Mary Goettsch Golden Hills RC&D | |
| YENC17-114 | Fun With Food Summer Camp for 9-12 year olds at Central College in Pella, Iowa | $2,000 | Thomas Johnson Central College | |
| YENC15-092 | Erosion Control and Pollinator Habitat through Perennial Plantings on Scattergood Friends School Farm | $1,991 | Mike Severino Scattergood Friends School | |
| YENC14-077 | Integrating High Tunnel Vermicomposting in a High School Science Curriculum | $2,000 | Mark Quee Scattergood Friends School | |
| YENC12-043 | Expanding the Sustainable Agriculture Components of Real Soil, Real Food, A Real Difference | $2,000 | Diane Weiland The Wallace Centers of Iowa | |
| YENC12-045 | Shiawassee Camper’s Sustainable Garden and Sustainable Agriculture Education | $2,000 | Andrea Wendt Shiawassee Conservation District Melissa Higbee Shiawassee Conservation District | |
| YENC10-023 | Green Manure vs. Brown Manure in an Organic Vegetable System | $1,991 | Mark Quee Scattergood Friends School | |
| YENC09-022 | Sustainable Food Production Education at a Youth Residential Treatment Center | $2,000 | Belinda Meis Lutheran Services in Iowa, Beloit | |
| YENC08-006 | Taproot Sustainable Farming Experience for Children | $1,560 | Zac Wedemeyer Taproot Nature Experience | |
| PDP STATE PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| The following are non-competitive awards that fund the activities of the SARE state coordinator(s) within each state. | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| NCIA25-001 | Iowa 2025-2026 State PDP Plan of Work | $150,000 | Christa Hartsook Iowa State University Ashley Dean Iowa State University | |
| NCIA22-002 | Iowa 2023-2024 State PDP Plan of WOrk | $140,000 | Christa Hartsook Iowa State University | |
| WNC20-103 | Iowa 2021-22 State PDP Plan of Work | $130,000 | Christa Hartsook Iowa State University | |
| NCIA19-001 | Iowa 2019-20 SARE plan of work | $130,000 | Christa Hartsook Iowa State University | |
| NCIA17-001 | Iowa Annual State Report | $110,000 | Christa Hartsook Iowa State University | |
For further information on projects, contact North Central SARE at (612) 626-3113 or ncrsare@umn.edu.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).