The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an investment of over $46 million in the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. SARE has funded farmer-driven grants and grassroots education programs resulting in climate-smart solutions for farms and ranches across every state and island protectorate since 1988. Grant recipients are the University of Minnesota, the University of Vermont, the University of Georgia, Montana State University, and the University of Maryland.
SARE has supported farmers in four regions (North Central, Northeast, South, and West) since its authorization in the 1990 Farm Bill. Each regional program is hosted by a Land-grant Institution and guided by volunteer Administrative Councils, including farmers and ranchers and representatives from universities, government, agribusiness, and nonprofit organizations. The Technical reviewers and volunteers lend professional and practical experience to help councils evaluate project proposals.
SARE has provided $380 million in grant funding for nearly 8,400 projects serving farmers, growers, and rural communities. Projects include supporting producers with on-farm renewable energy, pest and weed management, cover crops, high tunnel and session extension, crop rotations, marketing, pollinator health, and local and regional food system development.
Investing in sustainable agriculture shows USDA’s ongoing commitment to transforming the food and agricultural systems. SARE will continue to provide competitive grants and education programs that foster farmer-driven innovation to promote climate-smart practices, make sustainable producers more profitable, and improve local economies and the quality of life in rural communities.
Image provided by the USDA
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