NCR SARE Welcomes Pete Huff as New Regional Director

By Andi Anderson

North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) has announced that Pete Huff will serve as the new regional director.

This leadership change marks an important moment for the program as it continues to support sustainable agriculture research, education, and outreach across the region.

Huff currently serves as the director of the Wallace Center at Winrock International. In this position, he oversees a wide range of sustainable agriculture initiatives, including applied research and community-based outreach projects. Much of this work focuses on strengthening food systems and supporting farmers in the North Central region.

He manages grant proposals, subawards, subcontracts, and other funding processes each year, and throughout his career he has secured more than $50 million in funding. His work has helped build strong partnerships with universities, nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies.

Before joining the Wallace Center, Huff held leadership roles in organizations committed to food and agriculture policy. He served as the Director of Food Systems at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minneapolis.

He also worked internationally as an urban agriculture facilitator for the City of Yarra in Victoria, Australia, helping local communities increase access to sustainable food resources.

Huff brings a strong academic background to his new role. He earned a BA in history and a BS in environmental management from Indiana University in Bloomington. He later completed a master of Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he gained further experience in policy and community leadership.

Huff will officially begin his duties on December 1. He will work alongside NCR-SARE’s current regional director, Beth Nelson, during a transition period until her retirement in February 2026.

This smooth transition will help ensure that programs, partnerships, and ongoing projects continue without interruption.

NCR-SARE looks forward to the leadership and vision Huff will bring as he supports sustainable agriculture efforts and strengthens collaboration across the region.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski