The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) awarded Kizzi Roberts, a graduate student in animal sciences, a $6,619.25 grant to pursue the project “A Survey of Relationships Among Rare Breeds of Pigs.” This grant was awarded as part of NCR-SARE’s Graduate Student grant program.

Funding considerations are made based on how well the applicant articulates the nature of the research and education components of their sustainable agriculture grant proposals.

NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, the council includes a diverse mix of agricultural stakeholders in the region. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, and nonprofit organizations.

In addition, regional representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and NCR agribusinesses, state agencies, and foundations sit at the table to distribute grant money.

Since 1988, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The program, part of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems.