This program funds research and education/demonstration projects in the north central region and provides training for agricultural educators

The Regents of the University of Minnesota, through its Office of Sponsored Projects Administration, received a $10.81 million Cooperative Agreement from the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program (CFDA 10.215) on September 30, 2025. This five-year award, effective through September 29, 2030, establishes the University of Minnesota as the North Central Region host institution for SARE, tasked with funding and coordinating research, education, and professional development projects that advance regenerative agriculture practices across the North Central region. The program supports practical, farmer-directed research into regenerative agriculture systems; extends this research to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural educators; increases adoption of regenerative agriculture practices to improve profitability and environmental outcomes; and provides professional development and train-the-trainer opportunities for agricultural educators to equip them to share research findings and train the next generation of farmers.

The cooperative agreement funds approximately 50+ individual research, education, and farmer-led projects implemented through sub-awards to regional partners and institutions. Sub-awardees include land-grant universities (Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, Purdue University, University of Missouri), nonprofit organizations focused on sustainable farming (Gateway Sustainable Farmers Alliance, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Center for Rural Affairs, Women Food and Agriculture Network), and community-based organizations addressing farmer development and food systems (Fairshare CSA Coalition, Wild Farm Alliance, National Wildlife Federation). Project themes span crop and livestock production optimization, soil health, pest management innovation, farmer mentoring networks, beginning farmer support, specialty crop production, and biodiversity conservation—all designed to strengthen agricultural systems in the region while improving farm profitability, protecting natural resources, and enhancing quality of life for farm families and rural communities.

IT funds projects that improve that strengthen agricultural systems, encouraging practices that are economically viable, conserve our natural resource base and improve the quality of life for farm families and their communities. IT provides funding allowing grantees:to innovate through practical, farmer-directed research into regenerative agriculture practices and systems; to extend that information to farmers and ranchers and to agricultural educators to increase knowledge and awareness of regenerative agriculture systems; to increase the number of farmers and ranchers adopting regenerative agriculture practices and systems, in order to help agriculture become more profitable, protect natural resources and the environment, and improve quality of life, leading to the production of healthy, safe food for american consumers and a secure food system; to provide professional development or train the trainer opportunities in regenerative agriculture for agricultural educators in order to equip them to share new research with farmers and ranchers and train the next generation of agriculturalists