Western SARE: Professional + Producer Grant Program

The Western SARE Professional + Producer Grant Program fosters collaboration between Agricultural Technical Advisors and Producers to promote sustainable agriculture through research and outreach. This initiative aims to improve environmental quality, enhance profitability for farmers, and ensure community well-being. By supporting demonstrations, educational activities, and practical applications, the program seeks to communicate effective sustainable practices to agricultural professionals, ultimately benefiting rural economies and ecosystems.

Western SARE Professional Plus Producer Grants
With a Professional + Producer grant, an Agricultural Technical Advisor Professional and three (3) Producers work together to develop a proposal to conduct both research and outreach on a sustainable agriculture topic. Outreach activities may include on farm/ranch demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer educational activities, field days, and other approaches to assist producers’ adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The goal of this program is to achieve results that can be communicated to producers and other agricultural professionals; sustain and improve the environmental quality and natural resource base on which agriculture depends; improve the profitability of farmers/ranchers and associated agricultural businesses; and enhance the quality of life for farmers/ranchers in local communities.
Western SARE Goals
Promote good stewardship of the nation’s natural resources by providing site-specific, regional, and profitable sustainable farming and ranching methods that strengthen agricultural competitiveness; satisfy human food and fiber needs; maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of soil; conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources and fish and wildlife habitat, and maintain and improve the quality of surface and ground water.
Enhance the quality of life of farmers and ranchers and ensure the viability of rural communities, for example, by increasing income and employment, especially profitable self-employment and innovative marketing opportunities in agricultural and rural communities.
Protect the health and safety of those involved in food and farm systems by reducing, where feasible and practical, the use of toxic materials in agricultural production, and by optimizing on-farm resources and integrating, where appropriate, biological cycles and controls.
Promote crop, livestock, and enterprise diversification.
Examine the regional, economic, social, and environmental implications of adopting sustainable agriculture practices and systems.

Eligibility

Eligible ApplicantsThe project team must be a minimum of four (4) people and must include: An Agricultural Technical Advisor (Principal Investigator) and at least three (3) Producers. One of the Producers must be identified as the Advisor Representative. The team may also include additional collaboratorsProfessional Plus Producer Grant funds must be budgeted in the following categories. More information is available in the 2023 Call for ProposalsSalaries and BenefitsLower-tier SubawardsContracted ServicesSuppliesCommunicationTravelRentParticipant/Trainee SupportFacilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs, also referred to as Indirect Costs (IDCs): IDC recovery may be requested according to criteria provided in the 2023 Call for ProposalsMatching funds are not required or requested of Western SARE grant recipients. Please do NOT include matching funds in your budget or justification.

Ineligibility

Professional Plus Producer Grant funds may NOT be used for the following purposes:Capital Equipment purchases above $5,000Starting or expanding a a farm/ranch or farm/ranch operation.Major renovations/permanent improvements to a farm or ranch, such as constructing or remodeling a buildingRepair and maintenance of existing equipment/infrastructureProviding meals during events that are not necessary to maintain the continuity of a scheduled meeting; breakfasts and dinners typically do not qualifyTesting of commercial productsNOTE: foreign travel is typically NOT allowed under the SARE program except in cases where sufficient justification has been provided and requires Western SARE approval. All foreign travel must be directly related to the project, must be essential for project completion and well justified