Southern SARE: Producer Grant

Southern SARE: Producer Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Southern Sustainable Agriculture, Research & Education (SARE)
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: October 06, 2025

Summary

The Southern SARE: Producer Grant supports farmers in conducting their own research projects to develop sustainable agricultural practices. Established in 1994, the program aims to enhance farmer profitability, promote responsible land use, and improve community quality of life. By focusing on areas like organic agriculture, sustainable marketing, and alternative crops, the grant empowers farmers to address production challenges and share valuable insights with others in the farming community, fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation.

Overview

Background From its inception, the efforts of the SARE program have gone to ultimately benefit the farmer, whether university scientists conduct research, or nonprofit organizations lead training workshops. The implementation of sustainable agriculture practices focuses on farmer profitability, responsible use of the land, and community quality of life. Recognizing the value and importance of on-the-farm, producer experience in developing solutions to agricultural production challenges, the SSARE Producer Grant program was established in 1994 to give farmers the opportunity to conduct their own research projects. The competitive research grants program is intended to help farmers and ranchers develop sustainable production and marketing practices. The goal of the grant program is for farmers/ranchers to conduct projects to solve challenges and problems they face, and develop information on what works and doesn’t work so that other farmers and ranchers facing those same problems can benefit from the results of the funded project. Focus Areas Beneficial Insect Habitat– Developing cover crop or other plant mixes and locations that provide habitat (refuges) that keep populations of native beneficial insects living on the farm ready to attack crop pests as they occur. Alternative Crops/Animals– Developing alternative crops, animals or products that help a producer’s operation become more economically sustainable.  These projects must be at least as environmentally sustainable as the existing crops, animals and products they supplement or replace. Organic Agriculture – Projects that address the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of organic farm products.  This includes farmers adding value to organic products. Research into farming systems and practices that make use of on-farm biological cycles for soil, plant and pest management. Sustainable Marketing Projects– Developing markets for existing or alternative crops, animals or products. Sustainable Grazing Systems – Use of native grass species and or plant/animal management systems to make grazing systems more sustainable. Soil Organic Matter Building/Protection/Management – Projects that increase the sustainability of farming systems by developing soil organic matter and soil biota. Increasing Sustainability of Existing Farming Practices – Any practice or system that increases the sustainability of an existing farming practice.  The results should be able to be used by other farmers. Appropriate Technology – Projects that develop a device or piece of machinery that promotes sustainable agriculture and can’t be purchased off the shelf.  The device or machinery must have application for other farmers/ranchers, be able to be built by them from information from your project and enable them to operate more sustainably Agroforestry/Water Quality – The use of trees in farm systems to promote sustainability; this includes water quality and quantity

Eligibility

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