Jason Fischbach at the University of Wisconsin Extension was  selected to receive a $198,569 grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) for the project, “Commercialization of Hazelnuts for Growers in the Upper Midwest.”

“Previous SARE funding established replicated performance trials of superior hazelnut germplasm identified on grower farms. This project will continue the collaborative cultivar development work through establishment of on-farm trials of the best genotypes identified in the performance trials. In addition, this project will develop optimal post-harvest handling practices to optimize product quality and quantify chemical and flavor attributes of candidate hazelnut germplasm to enable market differentiation,” said Fischbach.

This grant was awarded as part of NCR-SARE’s Research and Education Program which is a competitive grant program for researchers and educators involved in projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems. Research and Education projects include a strong outreach component and significant farmer/rancher or other end user involvement from inception of the idea through implementation of the project.

NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. The AC includes farmers, researchers, educators, and a diverse mix of other agricultural stakeholders in the region. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations.