Illinois SARE Grants

North Central Region SARE Grants

Sustainable Food, Fuel and Fiber


Contact Information:

Doug Gucker
3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd.
Decatur, IL 62521
(217)877-6042
dgucker@illinois.edu

Mini-Grants

The Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Mini-Grant Program provides partial support for projects designed to increase the knowledge base and effectiveness of agricultural professionals in developing educational programs that enhance the sustainability of communities and agricultural systems.  Agricultural professionals include Extension educators, Natural Resource Conservation Service staff, state and federal agency personnel, high school and community college instructors, and educators in the profit and not-for-profit sectors serving the food and fiber system.  Applicants are required to explain how proposed programs will contribute to the professional development of one or more groups in this broad range of educators and contribute to progress in one or more of the following initiatives:  (1) adapting to and mitigating climate change; (2) scaling up local food systems; (3) increasing the efficiency of organic production; (4) increasing the effective use of cover crops.  Professional development programs focused on other areas of sustainable agriculture may also be considered. 

Mini-grants support programs or workshops that build educator expertise, develop new curricula or programming, or implement innovative educational approaches.  Funding requests of up to $1,500 will be considered; proposals should include matching support or co-sponsorship whenever possible. 

Applications will be reviewed continuously, and funding decisions will be made as rapidly as possible, but to assure timely consideration, proposals should be submitted by:

Click here for the application form.  For more information, contact the one of the Illinois SARE Co-Coordinators: Doug Gucker - (217) 877-6042 dgucker@illinois.edu ;or Bruce Branham - (217) 333-7848 bbranham@illinois.edu