AGRICULTURE PROJECTS FUNDED IN
ILLINOIS
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2026
ILLINOIS
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2026
Illinois has been awarded $7,334,391 grants to support 207 projects, including but not limited to, 25 research and/or education projects, 14 professional development projects and 84 producer-led projects. Illinois 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 | |
| LNC26-529 | Pathways to Farming: Training Aspiring Farmers and Improving Employment Practices | $249,970 | Jacquelyn Evers The Land Connection | |
| LNC26-535 | Developing and Disseminating an Educational Tool for Managing Tile-Treatment Wetlands in the Midwestern Agricultural Landscape | $243,675 | Jill Kostel, Ph.D. The Wetlands Initiative | |
| LNC25-513 | Leveraging propolis across the landscape to improve beekeeping | $249,997 | Dr.Adam Dolezal, PHD University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | |
| LNC25-521 | Functionalizing earthworms for soil health monitoring by North Central farmers | $249,531 | Dr.Andrew Margenot University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | |
| LNC22-465 | Collaborative Outreach and Demonstration of Farm-based Tile-Treatment Wetlands for Water Quality Improvement | $143,480 | Jill Kostel, Ph.D. The Wetlands Initiative | |
| LNC22-473 | Novice-to-Producer Agroforestry Education: Linking demonstration farms to online learning, apprenticeships, & communities of practice | $249,597 | Kate Wersan Savanna Institute Kaitie Adams Savanna Institute | |
| LNC20-432 | Precision Winter Cereal Rye Cover Cropping for Improving Farm Profitability and Environmental Stewardship | $249,871 | Dr.Shalamar Armstrong Purdue University | |
| LNC19-429 | Establishing a Network of Agroforestry Research & Demonstration Farms | $199,893 | Kaitie Adams Savanna Institute | |
| LNC18-402 | A Decision Support Tool for Adaptive Management of Cereal Rye in No-till Organic and Conventional Soybeans | $199,507 | Dr.Martin Williams, II USDA-Agricultural Research Service | |
| LNC18-407 | Midwestern Initiative to Discern and Overcome Identity-Based Barriers to Adopting Regenerative Practices in Commercial Grain Farming | $197,909 | Cassidy Dellorto-Blackwell The Land Connection | |
| LNC10-321 | Suppression of Soybean Diseases Through the Use of Cover Crops | $174,823 | Dr.Darin Eastburn University of Illinois | |
| LNC10-327 | Translating Sustainable Agriculture to the Backyard Garden in Metropolitan Chicago | $86,963 | Anya Maziak Chicago Botanic Garden | |
| LNC08-298 | Alternative Oilseeds for Sustainable, High-Quality Biodiesel | $127,635 | Frederick Iutzi Western Illinois University | |
| LNC07-282 | Best Sustainable Management Practices For Perennial Weeds | $144,003 | Dan Anderson University of Illinois John Masiunas University of Illinois | |
| LNC03-228 | New Strategies for Management of Vegetable Diseases in Organic and Traditional Farms | $99,289 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois | |
| LNC02-205 | Soil Testing and Information for Organic Transition | $49,042 | Michelle Wander University of Illinois | |
| LNC01-190 | The Use of Farmer Directed Teams to Improve Milk Quality on Family Dairy Farms | $98,052 | Pamela Ruegg University of Wisconsin Madison | |
| LNC00-169 | Assisting Farmers in Crisis to Adopt Sustainable Marketing Alternatives | $98,590 | John Masiunas University of Illinois | |
| LNC00-174 | Sustaining Farms and Biodiversity through Woodland Cultivation of High-Value Crops | $49,859 | Colin Donohue Rural Action | |
| LNC98-137 | Nutrient and Pesticide Loads in Subsurface Drainage from Organic and Conventional Cropping Practices | $104,777 | Gregory McIsaac Dept of Natural and Environmental Resources, University of Illinois | |
| LNC96-101 | Microbial Indices of Soil Quality | $54,000 | Gerald Sims University of Illinois | |
| LNC93-056 | On-Farm Adaptation of Integrated Crop and Livestock Systems in Illinois | $92,994 | Robert Hornbaker Dept of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois | |
| LNC92-042 | Regional Workshop for Educators on the use of Cover Crops in Sustainable Farming Systems | $10,000 | Nick Robertson Illinois Sustainable Ag Society | |
| LNC92-050 | Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Sustainable Farming Systems and the Barriers to Adoption | $72,018 | Sonya Salamon University of Illinois | |
| LNC91-040 | Participatory Research and Education Network for Sustainable Agriculture in Illinois | $110,500 | Robert Hornbaker Dept of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois | |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ENC26-261 | Midwest Agroforestry for Community Education | $115,603 | Jesse Schaffer Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois | |
| ENC23-231 | Climate Decision Tool Workshops for Ag/Natural Resource Professionals in Illinois | $31,699 | Duane Friend University of Illinois Extension | |
| ENC22-212 | Soil Matters in Illinois | $80,462.75 | Dr.Travis Burke Illinois Extension | |
| ENC21-202 | Building Deeper Connections: Advanced Regenerative Grazing Training For Agriculture Advisors in Eastern Illinois | $89,093 | Erin Gundy Soil Health Institute Katie Lynn Bell University of Illinois Extension | |
| ENC20-188 | Intensivo Biodinamico: Piloting Spanish Language Training in Biodynamics | $19,288.37 | Kerri Quinlan Biodynamic Association | |
| ENC20-191 | Online Agroforestry Course for Professionals | $79,619.76 | Dr.Keefe Keeley Savanna Institute | |
| ENC20-192 | Innovating Education of Agricultural Professionals on Organic Field Crop Production with a Flipped Classroom Approach | $89,731 | Mallory Krieger Organic Trade Association | |
| ENC15-143 | From the Classroom to the Field: Advanced Soil Health Training for Illinois Ag Service Providers | $74,602 | Jennifer Filipiak Driftless Area Land Conservancy | |
| ENC13-138 | Developing and Disseminating Legal Issues Curricula to Educators Who Assist Sustainable Farmers | $70,714 | Cara Cummings | |
| ENC10-117 | Expanding Large-Scale Manure Composting Expertise in Illinois and Wisconsin | $6,588 | Randy Fonner Univ of IL Extension Ellen Phillips University of Illinois Extension Dr.Ted Funk University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
| ENC04-082 | Professional Development Project: Working with Latino Agricultural Communities | $66,586 | Stu Jacobson University of Illinois at Springfield | |
| ENC03-072 | Professional Development Program in Apiculture and Pollination | $81,412 | Stu Jacobson University of Illinois at Springfield | |
| ENC00-049 | Sustainable Approaches to Aquaculture Production and Marketing | $12,750 | John Glover USDA | |
| ENC98-034 | Introduction to Management Intensive Grazing Systems Workshops and Resource Manual for Educators | $32,308 | Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program | |
| FARMER/RANCHER GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| FNC26-1489 | Evaluating Poultry Grazing Strategies for Parasite Reduction and Pasture Health in Goat and Sheep Rotational Grazing | $29,620 | Lauren Brokish Salt Fork Food Works | |
| FNC26-1506 | Growing the Midwest Farming Network and Increasing Food System Strength Through Seed Production | $14,905 | Eric Luu Mr. | |
| FNC25-1453 | Cultivating Resilience: Sustainable Outdoor Reishi Mushroom Production for Small Farms | $14,965 | Eric Hanson Third Great Farm | |
| FNC25-1461 | Utilizing Distillery Waste as Organic Foliar Fertilizer | $27,685 | Aizza Kerchenfaut Old Timers Ag | |
| FNC25-1467 | Soil and Plant Nutrition and its Affect on Giant Ragweed Growth and Proliferation | $11,243 | Jacob Landis JL Acres LLC | |
| FNC24-1409 | Sustainable urban agriculture entrepreneurship incubation for BIPOC and underserved communities in Springfield, Illinois | $15,000 | Yves Doumen The Motherland Gardens Community Project | |
| FNC24-1410 | Establish and Evaluate a Two-Dimensional Peach Training System Using Three Different Peach Rootstocks and Three Different In-Row Spacings | $5,030 | james eckert Eckert orchards | |
| FNC24-1421 | Comparison of Non-herbicide Methods for Control of Invasive Bush Honeysuckle as Preparation for a Prescribed Burn | $15,000 | Dr.Shirley Johnson Johnson Farm | |
| FNC24-1426 | Investigating the Effects of Basalt Rock Fertilizer on Diversified Market Farmed Crops | $14,172 | Eric Luu Mr. | |
| FNC24-1431 | Leaf Pellets as Soil Amendment, Weed Control, and Revenue Stream in Agroforestry. | $22,276 | John Plescia Hazel Hill Orchard | |
| FNC24-1438 | Empowering our community through education: Making Regenerative Farming Accessible for All | $29,067 | Marty Thomas Kakadoodle | |
| FNC23-1379 | Getting Big Milk Out of Small Dairy: A Milking Parlor Construction Guide For Herdshares, Creameries and Those Bootstrapping on Rented Land | $15,000 | Travis Hurt North Sky Farm | |
| FNC23-1387 | Growing a profitable urban farming cooperative in a low-income neighborhood | $7,522 | Matthew Norris OTIS Fresh Farm | |
| FNC22-1358 | Cultivating mushrooms and producing soil amendments using underutilized waste materials to increase profitability in an agroforestry system. | $15,000 | Alexis Weintraub Yale University, Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences | |
| FNC21-1269 | Smooth and Social Root's Youth Urban Agriculture Education Pilot Program | $8,920 | David Edwards Smooth and Social Roots | |
| FNC21-1279 | Pioneering assessment of a woodchip bioreactor with an organic cropping system | $8,997 | Dr.Shirley Johnson Johnson Farm | |
| FNC21-1287 | Double Crop Organic Sunflowers in Northern Illinois | $6,570 | Jacob Landis JL Acres LLC | |
| FNC21-1315 | Investigating the Ecological Impact of Pairing Agroforestry Establishment with Biochar Production | $7,609 | Gavrielle Welbel Zumwalt Acres | |
| FNC20-1209 | Simultaneous Interseeding of Corn and Cover Crops at Various Row Spacings | $18,000 | Andrew Bowman Bowman Farm | |
| FNC20-1219 | Exploring Flavor and Yield of Heirloom Corn Varieties for Spirit Production | $17,530 | Will Glazik Cow Creek Farm | |
| FNC20-1237 | Impact of Commercial Fungal Inoculant on Tomato Yield and Disease Resistance in Deep Composted Raised Beds | $8,907 | Shannon McBride Liberty Prairie Foundation | |
| FNC19-1178 | Establishing a perennial living mulch for weed control in sweet corn | $8,088 | Charles Martin Willow Creek Farm | |
| FNC19-1182 | Moving Beyond Anecdotes: Making Data Driven Decisions to Adapt to Climate Change | $7,859 | Jeff Miller Prairie Wind Family Farm | |
| FNC19-1199 | The cultivation of wild yeast strains to add value to farmhouse fermentation | $26,370 | Maggie Wachter Second Nature Honey | |
| FNC19-1200 | Enhancing berry farm profitability through perennial alley crops | $8,940 | Dr.Kevin Wolz, PhD Midwest Agroforestry Solutions | |
| FNC18-1137 | Finding the right mix of Cover Crops in a Sweetcorn and Snap Bean operation in the Midwest | $7,500 | Mark ORourke O'Rourke Family Gardens | |
| FNC18-1141 | Soil Remediation Techniques in Urban Agriculture | $14,975 | Casey Sabatka Dirty Boots Flowers | |
| FNC17-1101 | Increasing the Use of Farm Fresh Food in Institutional Settings by Educating Chefs, Youth, and Local Farmers through Demonstrations, Workshops, and Visual References | $7,448 | Ann Swanson Hendrick House | |
| FNC17-1106 | Creating a Resource on How to Build an Urban Farm in Chicago with a Modest Budget | $7,500 | Catherine Williams Chicago Patchwork Farms | |
| FNC15-1018 | Utilizing precision application of cover crops to minimize planting challenges while maximizing benefits to corn | $7,289 | Ralph Upton, Jr. Upton farms | |
| FNC15-1019 | Developing a method to capture and authenticate single varietal honey on diverse landscapes | $11,734 | Maggie Wachter Second Nature Honey | |
| FNC13-905 | Growing hydroponic fodder for dairy goats on a limited acreage farm | $7,500 | Linda DuShane Heart's Quest Dairy Goats | |
| FNC13-918 | Marcoot Jersey Creamery Comprehensive Food Safety Program | $7,495 | Beth Marcoot Marcoot Jersey Creamery | |
| FNC13-920 | Establishing a Year-round Urban Greenhouse Herb Garden | $7,500 | Emmanuel Pratt | |
| FNC13-930 | Developing Vertically Integrated Edible Bio-systems in a USDA Hardiness Zone 5 Environment | $6,923 | Dave Bishop PrairiErth Farm | |
| FNC10-822 | Sustainable beekeeping: increasing production and utilization of northern-adapted, disease and mite resistant honey bee queens | $15,431 | stewart jacobson Illinois Queen Initiative | |
| FNC10-835 | Four-Season Vegetable Production Utilizing High Tunnels, Floating Row Cover, and a Compost Heat Exchanger. | $5,994.19 | Phillip Swartz beyondsustainable.farm | |
| FNC09-773 | Adding Value to Our Seventh Generation Dairy Farm by Turning Our Milk into Farmstead and Artisan Cheeses | $6,000 | Amy Marcoot | |
| FNC09-779 | Bringing the store to the customer. Increasing the farm’s direct marketing capability and increasing retail income from meats, eggs, and produce with a mobile store | $5,980 | Dave Bishop PrairiErth Farm | |
| FNC09-790 | The mentoring of young adults with non-farm background in the production and local marketing of organic vegetable crops | $2,955.73 | Clarence Burton | |
| FNC08-705 | Increasing the production and use of disease and mite resistant queens adapted to northern conditions | $11,478.28 | stewart jacobson Illinois Queen Initiative | |
| FNC08-715 | Roller-Crimper Construction and No-Till Organic Weed Control Trials | $12,729.61 | Jacquelyn DeBatista Irish Grove Farms, Inc. | |
| FNC07-671 | Marketing of Small Amounts of Organic Grains through Alternative Broiler Feeds and Direct to Consumer Sales | $3,226 | Lisa Haynes | |
| FNC07-685 | Establishment of an Organic, Sustainable Small-Scale Farm Producing Livestock (Goats/Chickens) and Vegetables for Niche Markets in Chicago | $5,991 | Godwin Akpan | |
| FNC06-606 | Water Conservation and Grey Water Recycling at Three Rivers Community Farm | $5,000 | Amy Cloud | |
| FNC06-611 | Bringing the Retail Dollar Home- Increasing Profitability of Small Scale Meat Production Through Direct Marketing | $5,938 | Beth Osmund Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm | |
| FNC06-632 | To Be Able to Introduce Healthy and Economical Agricultural to a New and Lost Generation | $16,830 | Reginald Stewart | |
| FNC06-641 | Northern Production of Disease and Mite Resistant Queen Honey Bees | $4,409 | stewart jacobson Illinois Queen Initiative | |
| FNC05-565 | Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus] an Oilseed for Stressful Conditions of the Midwest | $5,850 | Michael Vincent | |
| FNC04-497 | Determination of an Economically Optimal Organic Control of Onion Maggots in Allium Crops | $1,405 | Lisa Haynes | |
| FNC04-518 | Resource Center City Farm | $5,950 | Kristine Greiber | |
| FNC04-520 | Three Little Fishes | $5,998 | Brenda Lyons | |
| FNC04-524 | Conducting a Variety Trial to Find the Best Marketable Organic Tomato Product | $5,910 | Louis Reuschel Ocean Farm | |
| FNC04-533 | Growing Fish - Plants in a Aquaponic System | $4,848 | Lori Bahre | |
| FNC04-536 | Use of Worm Casting Extract in Ag Production | $4,048 | Don Spiker | |
| FNC04-540 | Integrated Cultural Production Methods for Maximum Okra Seed Yields | $4,933 | Michael Vincent | |
| FNC03-441 | Raising Tilapia Fish in Tanks Along with Plants and Vegetables in Beds | $15,930 | Irene Seals | |
| FNC03-446 | Reinventing the Family Farm | $5,263 | Brenda Lyons | |
| FNC03-457 | Student Producers for the Future | $5,960 | Louis Reuschel Ocean Farm | |
| FNC02-409 | Year-Round Management Intensive Grazing | $5,820 | Jason Smith | |
| FNC02-428 | Future Farming Families | $14,970 | Ida Thurman | |
| FNC01-338 | North Central Region Paddlefish Polyculture | $14,378 | Scott Miller | |
| FNC01-375 | Re-Introduction of Flax as a Viable Economic and Rotational Crop in an Organic System (Phase II) | $2,063 | Joel Rissman | |
| FNC01-382 | Alternative Agriculture in Southern Illinois | $2,530 | Robert Boyd | |
| FNC01-385 | Production of Black Bass in Southern Illinois Coal Mine Lakes | $5,000 | Pam WIlkey | |
| FNC00-309 | Incorporating Rotational Grazing in the Crop Rotation | $5,000 | Raymond Meismer | |
| FNC99-006 | Free Range/Pastured PoultryLaboratory Analysis/Demonstration with an Organic Feed Component | $3,850 | Irene Seals | |
| FNC99-007 | Free Range/Pasture Poultry Laboratory Analysis/Demonstration with an Organic Feed Component | $5,250 | Debbie Hudson | |
| FNC99-249 | Re-introduction of Flax as a Viable Economic and Rotational Crop in an Organic System | $875 | Joel Rissman | |
| FNC99-270 | Breeding Better Apple Varieties for the Midwest | $13,748 | Jim Eckert | |
| FNC99-283 | Phase 1 of Reuschel's Sustainable Demonstration Farm | $3,800 | Louis Reuschel Ocean Farm | |
| FNC98-005 | Free-Range/Pastured Poultry Comparison Demonstration with an Organic Feed Component | $10,000 | John and Ida Thurman | |
| FNC98-231 | Sugar Maple Control and Hardwood Restoration in Central Illinois Woodland | $5,000 | Kevin Green | |
| FNC98-235 | Trout and Walleye Production in Freshwater Springs in Illinois | $4,834 | Michael Rahe | |
| FNC98-237 | Expansion of Grape Production | $4,940 | Marchell Baehr Rolling Hills Vineyard | |
| FNC98-245 | Linking Downstate Illinois Small-Scale Goat and Sheep Producers | $2,338 | Less and Penny Gioja Joy-of-Illinois Farm | |
| FNC97-196 | Long-term Benefits of Cover Crops and Crop Rotation | $4,818 | Ralph Upton, Jr. Upton farms | |
| FNC95-099 | Implementing Sustainable Organic Practices | $3,620 | Larry Kennel | |
| FNC95-117 | Cover Crop Management in the Upper Midwest | $2,332 | Kim Burkhart | |
| FNC94-063 | Strip Cropping in a Four-Crop Rotation | $3,428 | Larry Kennel | |
| FNC94-079 | Low-Cost Waste Management in Beef Cattle Operation | $3,277 | Joel Rissman | |
| FNC93-028 | No-Tilling Hairy Vetch into Crop Stubble and CRP Acres | $3,760 | Walt Townsend | |
| FNC93-038 | Night Crawlers as Natural Soil Conditioners | $4,340 | Robert VanHoveln | |
| FNC92-022 | Establishment of Native Warm and Cool Season Grasses on Highly Erodible Land | $2,951 | Michael and Debi Herren | |
| GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| GNC26-435 | Malting Barley as a Profitable and Sustainable Alternative to Winter Wheat in Corn-Soybean Rotations | $19,806 | Dr.Amir Sadeghpour Southern Illinois University Carbondale Moein Javid Southern illinois university | |
| GNC26-437 | Integrated Nitrogen and Sulfur Management to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Reduce Nitrogen Losses in Winter Wheat Systems | $19,644 | Dr.Amir Sadeghpour Southern Illinois University Carbondale Dr.Eric Brevik Southern Illinois University Sowmya Koduru SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE | |
| GNC24-403 | Helping or hurting? Identifying the role of CP42 in promoting or diluting parasites for pollinators | $19,494 | Dr.Alexandra Harmon-Threatt University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Annaliese Wargin University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC23-381 | Unearthing the Scent of Soil Health: A Validation of Smell through Odorant VOCs for Farmer Assessment | $14,492 | Dr.Andrew Margenot University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Finnleigh Woodings UIUC | |
| GNC22-344 | Mapping the current extent and suitability of agroforestry in the US Midwest | $14,938 | Richard Brazee University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Daniel Miller University of Notre Dame Sarah Castle University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC22-358 | The Impact of Buckwheat Plantings on Releases of Parasitoid Wasps on a Dairy Farm | $14,229 | Dr.Bethia King Northern Illinois University Dr.Edwin Burgess, IV University of Florida Elizabeth Taylor Northern Illinois University | |
| GNC22-360 | Testing the potential of distilling as an alternative use for DON-contaminated wheat | $14,764 | Matthew Stasiewicz University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Jiaying Wu University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC22-361 | Recovering the lost nutrients from subsurface drainage systems towards agricultural sustainability | $14,844 | Rabin Bhattarai university of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Hongxu Zhou University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC21-320 | Effects of depth and cover crop treatment on the functioning and diversity of soil microbial communities | $14,982 | Dr.Victoria Borowicz Illinois State University Rob Rhykerd Illinois State University Emily Hansen Illinois State University | |
| GNC21-338 | Overcoming Barriers to Grass-Based Agriculture in the Driftless Region | $11,827 | Dr.William Stewart, PhD Dept of Recreation, Sport and Tourism Dr.John Strauser University of Wisconsin-Madison | |
| GNC20-297 | Improving apple and peach pollination by advancing knowledge of how forest management affects wild bee functional diversity | $14,799 | Dr.Jennifer Fraterrigo University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Dr.Alexandra Harmon-Threatt University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Marissa Chase University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC20-298 | Refining Interseeding Winter Wheat Practices as a Sustainable Approach for Suppressing Common Waterhemp in Soybean | $15,000 | Dr.Karla Gage Southern Illinois University Carbondale Madison Decker Southern Illinois University | |
| GNC19-292 | What soil ecosystem services and economic benefits does 50 years of no-till provide in contrast to other tillage practices in Southern Illinois? | $14,978 | Dr.Amir Sadeghpour Southern Illinois University Carbondale Amanda Weidhuner Southern Illinois University Carbondale | |
| GNC19-293 | Applying ecological treatments to boost yields among restoration target species of seed production areas | $14,942 | Dr.Jeffrey Matthews University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Jack Zinnen University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC17-238 | Understanding aphidophagous hoverfly winter survival strategies in Midwest farmscapes to improve conservation biological control | $11,993 | Dr.Alexandra Harmon-Threatt University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Dr.Scott Clem Illinois State University School of Biological Sciences | |
| GNC15-201 | Agricultural, ecological, and Social Responses to an Invasive Grass and its Removal in Working Midwestern Grasslands | $9,977 | Dr.James Miller University of Illinois Dr.Jaime Coon Earlham College | |
| GNC15-217 | Developing Effective Treatments for Eradication of Xanthomonas cucurbitae in Pumpkin Seed | $9,990 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Xiaoyue Zhang University of Illinois | |
| GNC14-198 | Farming in the City: How Does the Altered Urban Environment Influence Cropping System Productivity, Ecology, and Profitability? | $9,994 | Dr.Jack A. Juvik University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Sam Wortman University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ross Wagstaff University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC12-160 | Effects of Cover Crop combinations and Fertilizer Application Timing on Nitrogen Leaching | $9,900 | Dr.Shalamar Armstrong Purdue University Corey Lacey Illinois State University | |
| GNC10-127 | Regulating Feed Intake of Group Housed Gilts by Altering Dietary Cation/Anion Difference | $9,450 | Dr.Paul Walker Illinois State University Arwyn Schumacher Illinois State University | |
| GNC10-139 | Effective Management for Fire Blight for Sustainable Apple Production in Illinois | $10,000 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Andrew Jurgens University of Illinois | |
| GNC10-144 | Determining the Host-range and Developing Seed-treatment for Managing Bacterial Spot on Pumpkin | $10,000 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Abbasali Ravanlou UIUC | |
| GNC08-087 | Determining the effectiveness of mustard short-cycle cover crops in managing soil-borne fungal pathogens in cucurbits | $10,000 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Shaijal Babu Thru Ppoyil University of Illinois | |
| GNC08-094 | Assessing Reduced-risk Insecticides and Refining Distribution and Phenology Models to Improve Management of Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM) in Apples and Peaches | $10,000 | Dr.Richard Weinzierl University of Illinois Moneen Jones University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC08-100 | Evaluation soil quality and lead in Chicago community and school gardens | $9,857 | Dr.Michelle Wander University of Illinois Laura Witzling UW-Madison | |
| GNC07-074 | Developing an Effective Strategy for Management of Internal Discoloration of Horseradish Root | $10,000 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Anas Eranthodi University of Illinois | |
| GNC06-057 | Cropping intensity and organic amendments in transitional farming systems | $9,375 | Dr.Darin Eastburn University of Illinois Shin-Yi Lee University of Illinois | |
| GNC05-047 | Determining the occurrence and distribution of viruses causing diseases on cucurbit crops for developing effective management strategies. | $9,890 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Sushma Jossey University of Illinois | |
| GNC05-053 | Developing Methods for Determining Survival of Phytophthora capsici in Soil for Establishing Effective Cropping Rotations for Sustainable Vegetable Production | $9,794 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Carlos Pavon Dept. Crop Science, University of Illinois at U-C | |
| GNC04-028 | The Agricultural and Ecological Functioning of a System Integrating Pastured Poultry and Raised-Bed Vegetable Production. | $9,995 | Benjamin Tracy University of Illinois Ben Lubchansky University of Illinois | |
| GNC04-031 | Developing Multimedia Resources for Educators in Informal and Formal Agricultural Education Settings | $9,950 | Anne Heinze Silvis University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Neil Knobloch University of Illinois Jennifer Herman University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
| GNC02-006 | Determining Genotypic and Pathogenic Diversity Among Phytophthora Capsici Isolates for Establishing Sustainable Cropping Rotations | $10,000 | Mohammad Babadoost University of Illinois Donglan Tian University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
| ON FARM RESEARCH/PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ONC25-171 | Solidarity Gardens: Partnering to build food production through sustainability education for small-scale producers | $50,000 | Fiona Munro Sola Gratia Farm | |
| ONC25-174 | Cultivating Weather Adaptable Agriculture Through Peer-to-Peer Learning Among Farmer Networks | $42,686 | Julie Larsen American Farmland Trust | |
| ONC25-175 | Growing the Southern Illinois (SoIL) Farmers Network | $49,964 | Dr.Leah Windsor The University of Memphis | |
| ONC24-143 | Re-Integration of Mixed-Power Systems in Agroecological Intensification | $49,248 | Ruth Burke Illinois State University | |
| ONC23-129 | Increasing rye cover crop adoption through novel, practical, and farmer-driven management practices | $49,350 | Dr.Eric Brevik Southern Illinois University | |
| ONC21-082 | Midwestern Hemp Database: Utilizing Grower-Cooperator Networks to Assess Variety Performance of Industrial Hemp Across the North Central Region | $39,834 | Chelsea Harbach, Ph.D. University of Illinois Extension Phillip Alberti University of Wisconsin-Madison | |
| ONC20-081 | The Agroforestry Apprenticeship Program: On-farm and online training for the next generation of agroforestry farmers | $40,000 | Dr.Kevin Wolz, PhD Savanna Institute | |
| ONC20-078 | Research and Demonstration of Precision Planting of Cover Crop Mixtures for Improving Farm Profit and Soil Health | $39,995 | Dr.Amir Sadeghpour Southern Illinois University Carbondale | |
| ONC19-064 | Management-Associated Risk Factors and Economic Impact of Anaplasmosis in Illinois Beef Herds | $39,955 | Dr.Teresa Steckler University of Illinois | |
| ONC19-057 | Field Salad: A No-management Cover Crop to Move Practice Adoption Beyond Just the Innovator Farmer | $29,740 | Catie Gregg Prairie Rivers Network | |
| ONC18-040 | Managing continuous living cover in Midwest organic grain production systems to balance productivity with soil health | $29,753 | Will Glazik Cow Creek Farm | |
| ONC17-035 | Interseeding Fall Catch Crops in Winter Wheat | $29,974 | Dr.Michelle Wander University of Illinois | |
| ONC16-017 | Evaluating and Sharing Techniques in Silvopasture Establishment | $29,951 | Dr.Keefe Keeley Savanna Institute | |
| ONC15-005 | Crop Performance, Pests, and Pollinators in Diverse Agroforestry Systems | $29,957 | Dr.Keefe Keeley Savanna Institute | |
| YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| YENC25-235 | Star Farm Chicago's Urban Sustainability Guidebook and Education on the Southside of Chicago | $6,000 | Shallon Malfeo STAR FARM CHICAGO Stephanie Dunn Star Farm Chicago | |
| YENC24-209 | Chicago Grows Food Grow Your Groceries Grow Kits | $6,000 | Elizabeth Berkeley Chicago Grows Food | |
| YENC24-208 | Expanded Community Farm Visit Program for Youth | $5,960 | Traci Barkley Sola Gratia Farm | |
| YENC24-221 | Urban Agriculture Education through Community Garden | $5,990 | Ben Skipor Freeport High School | |
| YENC24-224 | Zumwalt Acres Educational Programming: Apprenticeship, events and mentorship for a diversity of young emerging farmers | $6,000 | Gavrielle Welbel Zumwalt Acres Acacia Berg Zumwalt Acres | |
| YENC23-190 | Kendall Agricultural Careers Field Trip Series | $4,222 | Ariel Beauchamp Kendall County Soil and Water Conservation District | |
| YENC23-191 | Chicago Lights Urban Farm Indoor Culinary Garden Project | $6,000 | Joi Brooks Chicago Lights Stacy Jackson Chicago Lights Paxton Suggs Chicago Lights | |
| YENC23-207 | The Zumwalt Acres Apprenticeship Program: An accessible farming experience for educating and empowering emerging growers | $6,000 | Gavrielle Welbel Zumwalt Acres | |
| YENC22-172 | Urban Growers Collective: Youth Corps Teen Education and Employement | $4,000 | Erika Allen Urban Growers Collective | |
| YENC22-174 | Rooted in the Community: Sustainable Ag Youth Summer Camp | $4,605 | Ellen Burns Carl Sandburg College | |
| YENC22-189 | Using Raspberry Pi technology to remote monitor and control hydroponic systems | $5,776 | Taylor Zurliene Wesclin High School | |
| YENC21-168 | Growing Solutions Farm | $3,905 | Barbara McKillop Urban Autism Solutions Tucker Kelly Advocates for Urban Agriculture | |
| YENC20-144 | FarmBot Project | $4,000 | Mark Becker University of Illinois 4H Extension Erin Harper University of Illinois Extension | |
| YENC20-149 | DCCG Sustainable Agriculture Summer Camp | $2,160 | Dan Kenney DeKalb County Community Gardens Heather Edwards DeKalb County Community Gardens | |
| YENC20-151 | Queens: One key to honeybee sustainability | $3,952 | Steve McNair Salem4youth | |
| YENC19-135 | Star Farm Chicago's Youth with Special Needs and Developmental Disabilities Sustainability Initiative Summer 2019 | $3,910 | Stephanie Dunn Star Farm Chicago Cornelius Hodges Star Farm Chicago | |
| YENC17-109 | Prairie Farm Corps Youth Development Program | $2,000 | Shannon McBride Liberty Prairie Foundation | |
| YENC17-119 | Sustainable Agriculture Youth Workforce Development Program | $2,000 | Marnie Record Lincoln Land Community College | |
| YENC16-097 | Sustainable Agriculture Technology Summer Camp | $2,000 | Thomas Elsey Triton College Tricia Wagner Triton College | |
| YENC16-105 | Boys & Girls Club Community Garden | $2,000 | Alana Reynolds Grow Springfield (Illinois Stewardship Alliance) | |
| YENC15-082 | Hands-on sustainable agriculture using chestnuts and hazelnuts | $2,000 | Dee Scott Casey-Westfield CUSD #C-4 Bryan Bennett Casey-Westfield High School | |
| YENC15-091 | Building Community and Growing Food with the Next Generation | $2,000 | Traci Barkley Sola Gratia Farm | |
| YENC14-075 | Urban Agriculture Summer Institute | $1,997 | Dr.Fredric Miller Joliet Junior College | |
| YENC14-080 | Manos, Tierra, y Alimento (Hands, Soil, and Food) | $2,000 | Leah Lawson Angelic Organics Learning Center | |
| YENC13-065 | PRIDE Garden (Positive, Respectful, Impressive, Disciplined, Educated) | $1,996.76 | Monica Pierce Freeport High School | |
| YENC12-049 | Curriculum and Community Discussion Guide to Accompany the Educational film Deep Roots | $1,909.50 | Janice Hill Kane County | |
| YENC12-050 | Growing a Future | $1,960 | Dan Kenney DeKalb County Community Gardens | |
| YOUTH GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| YNC10-052 | How can I fit pigs into my family’s farm? | $400 | Lydia Gioja Joy of Illinois Farm | |
| YNC10-058 | Composting with Red Wiggler Worms | $400 | Emma Ahern Andrew Cooke Magnet School Julie Ahern Andrew Cooke Magnet School | |
| YNC10-060 | The Aquaponic Journey of A Lifetime | $400 | Ryan Marcelo | |
| YNC08-009 | Raising A Heritage Breed of Poultry | $400 | Eric Lehrer | |
| YNC08-012 | Compositing Public Waste for the Community Garden | $400 | Louisha Anthony | |
| 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 | |
| NCIL25-001 | Illinois State PDP Plan of Work 2025-2026 | $150,000 | Cate Loomis University of Illinois | |
| NCIL22-001 | Illinois 2023-24 State PDP Plan of Work | $140,000 | Dr.Emily Heaton University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Cate Loomis University of Illinois | |
| WNC20-101 | Making Illinois Agriculture more sustainable through Cover Crops and New Farmers and Ranchers | $129,994 | Doug Gucker University of Illinois | |
| NCIL19-001 | Illinois 19-20 plan of work | $130,000 | Dr.Bruce Branham University of Illinois Doug Gucker University of Illinois | |
| NCIL17-001 | Illinois Annual State Report | $110,000 | Dr.Laura Christianson University of Illinois Dr.Bruce Branham University of Illinois Doug Gucker University of Illinois | |
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).