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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH
AND EDUCATION PROGRAM (SARE)
Grants to Improve the Environmental and
Economic Sustainability of Farming and
Ranching to Educational Institutions,
Nonprofits and Producers
The Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education (SARE) program provides grants
to advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally
sound and good for communities. Specifically, the program
awards grants to farms, universities, nonprofit organizations,
and research/education institutions or agencies to improve
the economic, environmental, and social sustainability
of farming and ranching. SARE also conducts educational
and extension programs in an effort to increase knowledge
about—and help farmers and ranchers adopt—practices that
are economically viable, environmentally sound and socially
responsible.
Although no specific
examples of funding for farmers' markets is available,
this program seeks to assist producers in the sustainability
and marketing of agricultural products and could provide
assistance to producers or groups looking to develop
and promote farmers' markets.
SARE's regional offices
administer three grant programs. Two of SARE's grant
programs, Producer Grants and Research and Education
Grants, could award funds to farmers' markets and farmers
market groups. These two programs focus on funding the
following:
- SARE Research and Education Grants: Generally ranging
from $30,000 to $200,000, they fund projects that usually involve
scientists, producers and others in an interdisciplinary approach.
Many funded projects involve on-farm research trials with crops
and/or livestock; other projects have studied quality of life,
agricultural marketing, integrated farming systems, and soil and
water conservation. Successful proposals typically include economic
analysis and outreach components. The program also funds education
and demonstration projects, including the development of farmer-to-farmer
networks. Producers can team up with one or more technical experts
(such as a university researcher) to apply for this grant. Typically
$1.2 to $1.4 million is available for each region.
- SARE Producer Grants: Producers wanting to test an
idea should consider this grant program for a research or education
project. Many producer projects involve on-farm trials with crops
or livestock, but some have focused on marketing or educational
activities. Producers are expected to partner with an extension
professional or other agricultural adviser and include a strategy
for sharing their results with others. Usually, $150,000 to $200,000
is available for each region, with individual grants typically
ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Funding
Typically, in each region $1.2 to $1.4 million is available for Research and
Education Grants, $150,000 to $200,000 is available for Producer Grants,
and $300,000 to $400,000 is available for Professional Development Grants
in each fiscal year.
Next Round of Funding
All grant programs have only one application period per year. However,
each grant has its own application, deadline, and focus. Each region
solicits proposals and awards grants. For a full list of deadlines
by region and grant go to the website below.
To find out more about this program, including information on
applying for a grant go to: www.sare.org
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