Recent Funding Examples

NCRCRD Grants Awarded in 2026

Michigan Farm Mentors: Seed-to-Scale Plan for Statewide and Regional Mentorship Networks

Principal Investigator: Mariel Borgman, Michigan State University Extension
Co-Principal Investigators: Katie Brandt, Michigan State University Extension
Partner Co-Principal Investigators: Daniel Marbury, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology; Jen Siveri, Michigan Food & Farming Systems; Jill Dohner, MIFarmLink; and Kim William-Guillen, Washtenaw County Conservation District

Proposal Abstract:
First‑generation farmers are critical to Michigan’s rural economies, yet they often lack the networks, know‑how, and support systems that mentorship provides. Building on our team’s success with Michigan Sustainable Farm Mentors (SARE), USDA‑AMS TOPP, and our new first‑generation mentorship pilot, this NCRCRD seed grant will enable Michigan State University Extension and partners to complete a full external proposal. The resulting multi-year proposal would launch a statewide farm mentorship initiative and regional train‑the‑trainer program. Project activities include convening a cross‑institutional team, reviewing literature, analyzing past program outcomes, conducting farmer input sessions, proposal writing sprints and co‑creating a regional train‑the‑trainer framework for FarmLink organizations. Deliverables chart a clear pathway to sustained, multi‑year funding, including a ready‑to‑launch statewide mentorship design, a replicable North Central Region training blueprint aligned with NCRCRD priorities, an NCRCRD‑hosted webinar, and a complete external proposal targeting USDA‑NIFA BFRDP, with RCPP, LAMP, RFSP, and Kellogg Foundation as viable alternatives.

Awarded: Small Grant / $20,000 / one-year grant / August 1, 2026

Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Navigator (MORN): A Facilitated Technical Assistance Program for Rural Outdoor Recreation Economies

Principal Investigator: Ami Choi, Ph.D., University of Minnesota Extension
Co-Principal Investigator: Craig A. Campbell, Ed.D., University of Minnesota Extension

Proposal Abstract:
Outdoor recreation is a critical driver of public health, community wellbeing, and economic resilience. While states are increasingly investing in outdoor recreation opportunities, many small and rural communities in the North Central region continue to face unequal access to the resources needed to develop and support this sector. To address this challenge, this project will develop and pilot the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Navigator (MORN), a facilitated technical assistance program designed to support rural communities seeking to strengthen their outdoor recreation economies. The program will adapt the Colorado Rural Technical Assistance model and utilize the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) Rural Development Toolkit to guide communities in assessing local assets, identifying priorities, and developing actionable strategies. This project will produce a replicable framework that Extension and other land-grant institutions can use to build regional capacity and support rural
communities pursuing outdoor recreation-based economic and community development.

Awarded: Small Grant / $20,000 / one-year grant / August 1, 2026

Leveraging Middle of the Supply Chain Infrastructure to Build Capacity and Scale Foodpreneur’s Rural Businesses

Principal Investigator: Kara Harders, South Dakota State University Extension
Co-Principal Investigator: Stacy Hadrick , South Dakota State University Extension

Proposal Abstract:
In 2023 USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Resilient Food Systems invested $92.7 million to 374 middle of supply chain infrastructure projects in the North Central Region. Aimed at strengthening “middle of the supply chain” processing, storage, and distribution infrastructure gaps. These new and expanded facilities provide access to commercial kitchens, processing spaces, and distribution support. South Dakota State University Extension (SDSUE) proposes enhancing curriculum for foodpreneurs to develop business and marketing skills plus addresses the entrepreneurship demands in the food development space. The pilot cohort would guide participants through:

• Training in business development, regulations, pricing and marketing.
• Building capacity for new facilities, allowing for enterprise expansion.
• Developing skills to pursue grant and loan funding opportunities.

Overall, this initiative will strengthen local food systems, rural economics, quality of life for communities, positively impact recent state investments, and create a replicable training model for the NCR land-grant institutions.

Awarded: Small Grant / $19,059 / one-year grant / August 1, 2026

Water Resource Implications of Rural Data Center Expansion: Preparing North Central Communities for Emerging Infrastructure Demands

Principal Investigator: Shokhrukh (Shok) Jalilov, Ph.D., University of Missouri
Co-Principal Investigator: Ryan Milhollin, Ph.D., University of Missouri

Project Abstract:
Rural communities across the North Central Region face a growing dilemma: hyperscale data centers promise jobs and tax revenue yet impose substantial demands on local water resources that many communities are unprepared to evaluate or negotiate. U.S. data centers directly consumed approximately 17 billion gallons of water in 2023, with demand projected to rise sharply as AI infrastructure expands (Shehabi et al., 2024), potentially affecting agricultural production, municipal water supply, and ecosystem sustainability (Mytton, 2021). Despite these risks, rural communities often lack the technical capacity and decision-support tools to assess water resource implications or engage meaningfully with technology companies during siting processes. This project will develop a multidisciplinary research and extension framework to address this gap. Missouri will serve as a pilot case — assessing water resource conditions, governance capacity, and stakeholder perceptions — generating a replicable model and external funding proposal for broader application across the North Central Region.

Awarded: Small Grant / $19,969 / one-year grant / August 1, 2026

Community Farm Transition Networks: A Nebraska Pilot Model for Rural Economic and Workforce Resilience

Principal Investigator: Anastasia Meyer, University of Nebraska Extension
Co-Principal Investigator: Jay Parsons, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Project Abstract:
Farm transition is often treated as a private family matter, yet it has significant implications for rural economic resilience. In Nebraska, more than $100 billion in wealth will transfer between generations between 2021 and 2030 (Nebraska Community Foundation, 2021). Because farmland represents one of the largest sources of local wealth in rural communities, how it transitions between generations has significant implications for long-term economic resilience.

This project reframes farm succession as a community economic development strategy by piloting a Community Farm Transition Network (CFTN) model in Nebraska. The project includes: (1) a community-level farm transition risk assessment, (2) coordinated engagement of local professionals and stakeholders, and (3) development of a replicable Extension toolkit for North Central Region communities.

By integrating Nebraska Land Link and Returning to the Farm & Rural Communities programming, the project will strengthen rural asset retention, workforce continuity, and local economic resilience.

Awarded: Small Grant / $20,000 / one-year grant / August 1, 2026

Visualizing the Value: Helping Local Officials Communicate Budget Investments

Principal Investigator: Erin Mullenix, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Co-Principal Investigator: Bailey Hanson, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Project Summary:
Local governments make complex fiscal decisions affecting services such as public safety, infrastructure, public health, and community development. Yet the tools commonly used to communicate these decisions, including technical budget documents, spreadsheets, and financial reports, can be difficult for residents and stakeholders to interpret. This project will expand Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s award-winning Dollar Bill visualization framework to support rural communities across the North Central Region. Building on a city level tool currently used across Iowa, the project will develop county-level visualization and planning tools and produce a regional implementation toolkit for land-grant partners. Together, these resources will help Extension professionals and local leaders translate local government finance into clear, easy-to-read visuals that strengthen fiscal literacy, support civic dialogue, and improve communication about public investment decisions in rural communities.

Awarded: Small Grant / $20,000 / one-year grant / August 1, 2026

Award history prior to 2021

Award summaries prior to 2021 will be posted as they are made ADA compliant. If interested in a particular year prior to 2021, please email your request to NCRCRD.

You can find past and current Fellow funding on the Current Fellows page.