Montana

Farmer-Focused Innovations Funded by SARE

“Institutionalized food is the forgotten part of the food revolution,” says Ann Swanson, talking about the lack of fresh produce available from local institutions in her community of Champaign–Urbana, IL. Inspired, Swanson used a SARE Farmer/Rancher grant to create new opportunities for local farmers, launch a series of educational classes and expand institutional capacity to […]

2021–2022 Report from the Field

Report from the Field features 12 stories from around the country of recent SARE grantees who are finding new ways to improve the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. The report also summarizes our total investment in research and education projects since 1988.

Selecting Cattle to Improve Grazing Distribution Patterns, Rangeland Health and Water Quality

This project is the first and only study that we are aware of that has evaluated whether grazing distribution has the potential to be improved through intensive breed selection. Most of the management approaches currently used to increase grazing uniformity, such as water developments and fencing, can resolve livestock grazing distribution problems on both private and public lands. However, these practices usually require large capital expenditures.

Manure Composting for Livestock and Poultry Production

This Montana State University publication addresses medium- to large-scale composting as a management option for animal producers in cold, semi-arid environments.

Anaerobic Digesters

This fact sheet series explores the applications and benefits of on-farm anaerobic digestion to convert animal waste to energy.

Biodiesel

This fact sheet series examines biodiesel from oilseed processing, to biodiesel conversion, consumer issues and economics.

Home Energy

This series includes suggested ways of improving the energy efficiency of your home.

Micro-Hydroelectricity

This module focuses on micro-hydroelectricity (micro-hydro), designed for homeowners and agricultural operators to reduce purchased electricity use.

Small Wind

This series explores the applications and benefits of small wind. It is designed to help you understand both the benefits and limitations of small wind before you buy a system.

Solar Electricity

This series explores generating electricity from the sun, including the considerations you need to make before deciding to invest in a solar electricity system.

Solar Hot Water

This module describes solar hot water systems, which are designed to capture the sun’s energy to heat water.

Sheep Grazing to Manage Crop Residues, Insects and Weeds in Northern Plains Grain and Alfalfa Systems

In a SARE-funded project coordinated by Montana State University, researchers have demonstrated that using sheep to graze crop residue and summer fallow can help address insect, weed and residue management challenges.