Western SARE: Farmer/Rancher Grants

The Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Grants support agricultural producers in developing innovative, sustainable practices through research and outreach. Eligible applicants include farmers or ranchers who collaborate with technical advisors to implement projects focused on addressing specific agricultural needs. Grants can provide funding up to $25,000 for 1-2 producers and up to $29,900 for larger collaborations. The program aims to enhance profitability, environmental quality, and community well-being while sharing knowledge among producers.

Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program
The Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program focuses on advancing on-farm sustainability solutions by funding innovative producer-driven research and outreach. This grant program involves agricultural producers (main applicants) and technical advisor(s) implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture.
How the Program Works
Projects with 1-2 producers may apply for up to $25,000 and projects with 3 or more producers working together may apply for up to $29,900.
With a Farmer/Rancher Grant, a producer and a technical advisor work together to develop a project (1-3 years in scope) that conducts both research and outreach on a sustainable agriculture topic. With the support and guidance of the technical advisor, producers must integrate research and education to conduct on-site/on-farm experiments to address social, environmental, and economic aspects of agricultural sustainability. The goal of this program is to achieve results that can be communicated to other producers and professionals; sustain and improve the environmental quality and natural resource base on which agriculture depends; improve the profitability of producers and associated agricultural businesses; and enhance the quality of life for producers in local communities. Outreach activities may include on-farm/ranch demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer educational activities, and other approaches to assist producer adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for a Farmer/Rancher Grant?The primary applicant (principal investigator, PI) for a Farmer/Rancher grant must be an agricultural producer - farmer or rancher.
The PI must also work in collaboration with a technical advisor (TA), who will be required to provide a letter of collaboration and resume at the time of submission with the proposal.
The project team may also include additional researchers, educators, outreach representatives, and other collaborators with appropriate expertise to complete the project.Who qualifies as a producer (Farmer or Rancher?)By USDA definition, you are a farmer-rancher if:Your primary occupation is farming or ranching, and/or
You have a farm/ranch tax number, and/or
You have at least $1,000 documented income from an agricultural operationIf more than one producer is involved, each producer must be an independent and separate operator

Ineligibility

Capital Equipment purchases are generally not allowed under the SARE program and should be essential for the completion of the proposed activitiesFarmer/Rancher grant funds may NOT be used for the following purposes:Capital Equipment purchases above $5,000– see above for more informationStarting or expanding a farm or farm operationMajor renovations or permanent improvements to a farm or ranch, such as constructing or remodeling a buildingRepairs and maintenance of equipment and buildings or facilitiesProviding meals during project-related events that are not necessary to maintain the continuity of a scheduled activity; breakfasts and dinners typically do not qualifyTesting of commercial productsThe purchase and distribution of gift cards or other gifts/incentives for any purposeIndirect Costs