Over the years, I’ve met farmers and ranchers who received Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) grant funding, including one right here in Martin County! Hearing from them directly about how the funds helped their operations, I am excited to share more about SARE, including their grant funding opportunities. The producers I met made good use of SARE funds to try out new business directions/products/techniques. In turn, they shared what they learned with the wider agricultural community, so that others could learn from their experience and research. SARE offers grant funding, reports of grant project findings, and other books/guides/videos to support agricultural producers.

What is SARE?

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Through grants and outreach, SARE seeks to promote sustainable, research-based approaches to U.S. agriculture.

We have a state-level Florida SARE program, led by SARE State Coordinators Gilbert Queeley of FAMU and Marilyn (Mickie) Swisher of UF. Our Florida program is part of the larger Southern SARE, covering the southern United States.

Southern SARE offers grants and research-based information intended to help farmers and ranchers adopt and share sustainable practices. Following are a few highlights of funding and other resources available.

Grant Funding Available to Farmers and Ranchers

Since 1988, Florida has been awarded $10.2 million in SARE grants supporting 223 projects. Florida has also received additional SARE support through multi-state projects. Southern SARE offers grants for research, education, and professional development. This article focuses on the Producer Grant and the On-Farm Research Grant.

Producer Grant

Producer grants offer funding for farmers and ranchers to conduct research on sustainable marketing and production practices. The funding supports producers in testing a solution to a problem they are facing and sharing what they learn. Current priority focus areas for funding include: beneficial insects, alternative crops/animals, organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture marketing projects, sustainable grazing systems, soil/water management, appropriate technology, agroforestry, aquaculture, or increasing sustainability of existing farming practices. Full-time or part-time farmers or ranchers,  farmer/rancher organizations, and indigenous community food system producers are all eligible to apply for the Producer Grant. Each funded project includes an outreach plan, to share the research results with the farming/ranching community. Projects must include at least one cooperator. Cooperators can be other farmers, researchers, extension agents, organizations, etc. Proposals are due November 8, 2024.

On-Farm Research Grant

On-Farm Research Grants provide funding to support agricultural professionals working with farmers/ranchers on sustainable practices. The grants emphasize relationship-building between farmers/ranchers and other agricultural professionals. Agricultural professionals include extension specialists, university researchers, government agencies, community organizations, or other groups or individuals working with farmers/ranchers. Funding allows the grant recipient and the farmer/rancher to work together in researching sustainable practices. The research should address an on-farm issue the farmer/rancher is facing. Current priority focus areas for funding include: beneficial insects, alternative crops/animals, organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture marketing projects, sustainable grazing systems, soil/water management, appropriate technology, agroforestry, aquaculture, or increasing sustainability of existing farming practices. Each funded project includes an outreach plan, to share the research results with the farming/ranching community. Proposals are due November 22, 2024.

Research-based Information to Help Your Operation

Grant Reports

SARE grant recipients complete Grant Reports, sharing the results of their research studies. Grant reports can be helpful in developing a new grant proposal, by allowing applicants to see examples of previously funded projects. Through the reports, farmers and ranchers can also learn from other producers about business innovations they may be considering. Examples of previously funded research projects in Florida include:

• Evaluating cover crop combinations for managing plant-parasitic nematodes in potato production,
• Developing management strategies for the invasive ghost snail, Bulimulus bonariensis,
• Evaluating the feasibility of a mobile livestock processing facility,
• Using high tunnels to extend tomato production in South Florida,
• Assessing sweet potatoes as an alternative specialty crop in Northeast Florida, and
• Examining elderberry as an alternative crop in Florida.

Books, Guides, Videos, and More

For farmers and ranchers, SARE offers books, guides, and videos to help you implement sustainable practices that fit your operation. Publications cover a wide range of topics, such as business development, pest management, production systems, natural resources, and much more. Many publications are also available in Spanish. Visit the Southern SARE Resources & Learning page to search for a specific topic of interest or just explore what is available.

If you need more resources or would like to collaborate on a SARE Producer Grant application, reach out to our Florida SARE Coordinators, FAMU Extension, or your local UF/IFAS Extension office.

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