Agriculture


On these pages

Extension publications

Other Web sites

Contact

  • Debi Kelly
    University of Missouri
    Missouri state sustainable agriculture co-coordinator
    234 Agriculture Engineering Building
    Columbia
    Phone: 573-882-1905
    kellyd@missouri.edu
  • K. B. Paul
    Lincoln University
    Missouri state sustainable agriculture co-coordinator
    PO Box 29
    Jefferson City
    Phone: 573-681-5584
    Fax: 573-681-5546
    paulk@lincolnu.edu

North Central SARE

Missouri is part of the North Central SARE Region, which includes:

  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

The USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program is a federal competitive grants program with regional leadership and decision making structures. Authorized by the 1985 Farm Bill, SARE was first funded in 1988. FY99 funding totals $11.4 million. SARE works to increase knowledge about and help farmers and ranches adopt sustainable practices that are profitable, environmentally sound, and beneficial to local communities and society in general. SARE provides funding for research, demonstration, education, and extension projects carried out by scientists, producers, educators, and private sector representatives.

Upcoming events

Nov. 16 and 17

Sustaining Soil Fertility in Diversified Cropping Systems
In response to the Bioenergy White Paper, soils in relation to diversified cropping systems will become a focal point due to the high demand for continuous corn production. With continuous corn production, crop rotations to protect the soil may not be used and using margin lands put into production may increase soil erosion and the loss of soil fertility. Topics that will be taught are cover crops and/or nutrient cycling through organic materials such as legumes and animal manures reduce on-farm energy use. Application uniformity of commercial or organic fertilizer can be improved with proper equipment techniques. Other items of interest include: What types of incentives, educational programs, or demonstration projects are needed to increase adoption and use of nutrient management plans, site-specific management practices, and innovative application techniques that result in an overall reduction in off-farm energy used to sustain soil fertility? Contact Debi Kelly at 573-882-1905 or 800-433-3704 (Missouri only).

Dec. 1

Holistic Approach to Energy
Biofuels 101 was held in 2008. This year’s workshop will build on the previous training. Topics to be included are: basics of growing crops for biofuels, fertility replacement, environmental issues, new small generation cooperatives, and infrastructure considerations for communities. One tool to be introduced is the Biopower Toolbox which was developed by the Community Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri. This is a tool that can be used by communities to evaluate the many implications of biofuel plants. Other presentations will include the impact biofuels have on livestock production and food supply. Contact Debi Kelly at 573-882-1905 or 800-433-3704 (Missouri only).