skip to main content skip to main navigation

SARE is a USDA competitive grants program with regional programs and regional leadership. SARE supports research and education that helps build the future economic viability of agriculture in the United States. SARE funding is authorized under Subtitle B of Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990.
www.uvm.edu/~nesare/

Farmer/Grower Grants: The goal of the program is to help farmers shift to practices that are environmentally sound, profitable, and beneficial to the wider farm community. Proposals can address a broad range of agricultural or farm-forestry issues, and successful projects offer an innovative approach that could be adopted by other farmers. You must be a commercial farmer to apply. You need not be farming full time, but your operation should have an established crop or product that you sell on a regular basis. Grants awards average $5,000 and there is a $10,000 cap. Projects normally run one year, although multiyear projects are not excluded. Application deadline is in December.
www.uvm.edu/~nesare/FGinfo.html

Partnership Grants: This grant is for Cooperative Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service personnel, non-profits, and agricultural consultants who work directly with farmers. Grants are used for on-farm research and demonstration projects that address sustainability, and must be conducted in partnership with at least one farmer. The goal of the program is to develop demonstration projects and research results that other farmers can learn from; these projects and demonstrations should address sustainability issues that are important in the Northeast. The SARE portion of the grant is capped at $10,000 and both single and multiyear projects will be considered. Application deadline is in December.
www.uvm.edu/~nesare/PARTinfo.html

Professional Development Grants: SARE funds professional development projects that help Cooperative Extension educators and other agricultural professionals learn and transmit the knowledge needed to help farmers move toward greater sustainability. The focus is on training the trainers, disseminating sustainable practices and technologies, advancing new training strategies, and building an educational delivery system that is directly linked to improved agricultural sustainability. Projects should address the wise use of resources, the health and profitability of farms and farm communities, and should offer measurable outcomes.

Anyone can apply. Applicants should have experience offering professional development programs to the agricultural community and should also demonstrate a firm grasp on current issues and barriers to sustainability. Past projects have come from extension, agricultural nonprofits, land-grant universities, coalitions brought together specifically for the project, and private consulting firms.

Projects are typically funded for between $15,000 and $120,000 and multiyear projects are common. A preproposal – a one-page outline of you project and its performance targets – is due in the spring. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, the deadline is in October.
www.uvm.edu/~nesare/grants_PDP.htm

Research and Education Grants: SARE funds research and education projects that lead to farmers adopting sustainable practices; the emphasis is on improved farming practices and an enhanced quality of life for farmers and rural communities. Typically, farmers and other stakeholders are involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project. SARE also funds projects where research, Cooperative Extension, and education are closely linked.

Anyone can apply. Applications are expected to shoe a clear understanding of the issues and barriers to sustainability in the region and offer a project that addresses them directly and coherently. Strong applications most often arise from consultation with diverse interests – land-grant universities, farmers, nonprofits, extension, and agribusiness – and offer evidence that the need for the project is compelling. Profitability, stewardship, and farm health and viability are key themes, and measurable outcomes are expected.

Projects are typically funded for between $30,000 and $150,000, and multiyear projects are common. A preproposal – a one-page outline of the project and its performance targets – is due in the spring. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, the deadline is in October.
www.uvm.edu/~nesare/grants_r&e.htm