1. Advancing Sustainable Ag Innovations
Southern SARE Funding Opportunities for
Researchers, Graduate Students, and
Ag Educators

2. Who is SARE?
Stands for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Authorized in the 1985 Farm Bill and is part of USDA’s NIFA program
Our goal is to support farmers, researchers and educators as they explore sustainable ag practices
Primary tool is grants
SARE stands for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. SARE is a USDA grants program, authorized in the 1985 Farm Bill to support farmers, researchers and educators as they explore sustainable ag practices. Our primary tool is grants, but we also provide a wide variety of sustainable ag educational materials.

3. How SARE Works
Regionally administered; we support 13 states and two territories in the Southern region
Host institutions: UGA, FVSU, Kerr Center
Participatory
Inclusive
Administrative Council sets research priorities, releases grant calls for proposals, and reviews/selects grants
SARE is a national program with four difference regions. In the Southern region, SARE supports 13 states and two U.S. territories. The program is administered through host institutions: UGA, Fort Valley State University and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
SARE is participatory, which means that farmers are involved in all facets of SARE as advisors, evaluators, and cooperators, designing and conducting on-farm research.
SARE is inclusive. We address the needs of limited-resource farmers and farmers of small holdings, who are often overlooked in traditional grants programs. The Southern region SARE supports the efforts of both the 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions as well as those Native American tribes present across the Southern region.
Southern Region SARE is guided by an Administrative Council, made up of representatives in the ag industry: farmers, researchers, Extension agents, ag professionals, NGOs, USDA, NRCS, EPA, etc. The Council sets research priorities for grants, releases grant Calls for Proposals and reviews and selects grants each year.

4. Defining Sustainable Agriculture
SARE’s three broad goals, known as the Pillars of Sustainability
Profit over the long term
Stewardship of our nation’s land, air and water
Quality of life for farmers, ranchers and their communities
These goals must be considered when applying for a grant.
Every day, farmers and ranchers around the world develop new, innovative strategies to produce and distribute food, fuel and fiber sustainably. While these strategies vary greatly, they all embrace three broad goals.

5. Our Grant Opportunities
In an effort to advance innovations in sustainable agriculture, the Southern Region SARE program offers several grant opportunities.
This presentation will briefly cover Producer Grants, which are grants for farmers/ranchers interested in sustainable agriculture research, techniques and productions practices.
Other grants we offer include our Research & Education grants (mainly for university researchers), On-Farm Research Grants (for our Extension agents), Graduate Student grants (for Masters and PhD students), Professional Development grants (our train the trainer grants), and Sustainable Community Innovation Grants (not offering these in 2014).
Nationally, SARE has provided funding support for over 5,000 sustainable ag research projects.
In the Southern region, we’ve awarded over $56 million in grants for over 1,000 proposals.

6. Research & Education Grants
For researchers (1862, 1890 or otherwise), govt. agencies, NGOs, other ag professionals.
Encourages a systems approach to sustainable ag.
Awards up 3 years of research. Funding ranges between $100,000 and $300,000.
Research-based projects with an educational/outreach component; Producers and consumers should be part of the process.
Sample Funded Grants
Improving fitness in meat goat herds
Using silvopasture to advance agroforestry systems
Food hubs and regional food systems
Cover crops and soil quality

7. Funding Priority Areas
Proposals generally address one of the following priority areas:
Limited-resource farmers
Organic farming systems
Environmentally sound practices/ag ecosystems
Marketing/economic development
Policy, program evaluation, and quality of life
Women in sustainable ag
Download the Call for Proposals to learn more:

8. Interested in Submitting a Proposal?
Tips to Consider
Make sure SARE is the right granting organization for your project
Involve farmers and other end users
Look beyond state lines
Keep the writing simple
Avoid jargon
Get someone else to proof read your proposal.
Follow directions in the Call for Proposal.
Ask Questions
Make sure SARE is the right granting organization for your project. Review the pre-proposal guidelines, priority areas and evaluation criteria in the Request for Pre-proposals. Every year we receive a number of well-written, well-designed proposals that don’t clearly address the SARE Program’s unique goals and criteria.
Involve farmers and other end-users early and in meaningful ways. The strongest pre-proposals clearly demonstrate that the project will be relevant to producers, providing practical answers to their questions. The best way to accomplish this goal is to involve farmers, growers, and other end-users in the planning, design and implementation of the project.
Look beyond state lines, both in terms of direct project participants and your eventual outreach audience. SARE is a regional program. Your project stands a better chance if it addresses issues in a way that’s relevant to several states and builds on the expertise and knowledge available regionally.
Keep the writing simple. Proposals with clear objectives and methods are generally the most successful.
Avoid jargon. Also be sure to spell out the full names of any acronyms so reviewers know what you’re talking about.
Leave enough time to have someone else proof-read your proposal. A fresh set of eyes can help you identify sections that are unclear and find errors that you might not catch otherwise.
Follow directions. Every year, proposals are disqualified prior to review because the applicant failed to meet the Pass/Fail Criteria. Make sure that your proposal is appropriate for the Southern SARE Program.

9. On-Farm Research Grants
For Extension specialists, university researchers, NRCS, NGOs or other ag professionals who currently and regularly work with farmers/ranchers.
These grants are not open to farmers.
Supports on-farm research or marketing projects related to sustainable ag to help farmers find solutions to various ag production issues.
Funding is $15,000 for up to 2 years of research.
Sample grant funds:
Pollinator habitat conservation
Companion plants as IPM tools
Grafting heirloom tomatoes
Propagation of edible pecan truffles in pecan nurseries

10. What Grants Fund and Don’t Fund
Funds cannot be used for:
Fund can be used for:
Cost of sampling and sample analysis
Project materials and supplies
Outreach expenses
Project travel
Hired labor
Refreshments at events
Starting or expanding a farm, farming operation or NGO
Buying equipment
Permanent farm improvements
Lunches or other full meals
Testing of commercial products

11. Funding Priority Areas
Proposals generally address one of the following priority areas:
Beneficial insect habitat
Alternative crops/animals
Organic agriculture
Sustainable marketing projects
Sustainable grazing systems
SOM buildup/protection/management
Increasing sustainability of existing farming practices
Appropriate technology
Agroforestry
The focus areas have been chosen by the On-farm Research Grant Committee as areas needing investigation. These focus areas elaborate topics for applicants who are in need of information on research areas of interest to the SARE On-Farm Research Grant program.
BENEFICAL INSECT HABITAT – Developing cover crops 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 farmers/ranchers, be able to be built by them and enable them to operate more sustainably.
AGROFORESTRY– Studies are needed that demonstrate and quantify the feasibility of establishing agroforestry in the region. Information on the performance of various forage combinations under shaded conditions is needed.
Download the Call for Proposals to learn more:

12. Graduate Student Grants
For full-time Master’s and Ph.D. students at accredited universities in the Southern region interested in sustainable ag research.
An applicant may only receive 1 SARE Graduate Student Grant during his or her degree program.
Funding is $11,000 for up to 3 years of research.
Sample grant funds:
IPM using cover crops
Livestock grazing behavior
Herbal treatments to prevent mastitis in dairy cattle
Identifying barriers to sustainable food production in low-income areas

13. What Grants Fund and Don’t Fund
Funds cannot be used for:
Fund can be used for:
Supplies
Equipment
Labor
Special texts not readily available
Farm equipment rental
Travel and per diem necessary for the project
Graduate student stipends
Travel to scholarly meetings or any international travel
Preparation of thesis or dissertation
Publication costs
Purchase of classroom books
Payment of tuition
Permanent capital improvements

14. Interested in Submitting a Proposal?
Tips to Consider
Make sure SARE is the right granting organization for your project
Keep the writing clear and simple
Help reviewers understand the importance of your project
Avoid jargon
Develop a realistic budget
Get someone else to proof read your proposal.
Follow directions in the Call for Proposal.
Ask Questions
Make sure SARE is the right granting organization for your project. Review the guidelines, SARE Program goals and criteria and what can and can’t be funded. Every year we receive a number of well-written, well-designed proposals that don’t clearly address the Southern SARE Program’s unique goals and criteria.
Keep the writing clear and simple. You are communicating why your proposal should be funded. Proposals that clearly state how the project addresses sustainable agriculture with clear-cut objectives and methods are generally the most successful.
Help reviewers understand the importance of your project. Don’t assume reviewers are intimately familiar with the issues your proposal addresses. SARE’s technical review panel is composed of experts in a variety of disciplines from around the Southern SARE region.
Avoid jargon. Also be sure to spell out the full names of any acronyms so reviewers know what you’re talking about.
Make sure the methods are appropriate to accomplish your goals. Are plot sizes, replications, controls, surveys, etc., adequate to provide meaningful information? Be sure to consult with a statistician in developing your experimental design. Clearly define your response variables.
Develop a realistic budget. Be clear about what the requested funding is for. Ask for funding only for things that are allowable.
Leave enough time to have someone else proofread your proposal. A fresh set of eyes can help you identify sections that are unclear and find errors that you might not catch otherwise.

15. Know More SARE offers more than grants
Learning Center: National publications, including facts sheets, bulletins and books
Regional educational resources and newsletters
SARE program materials
Grantee project products
Videos
Topic Rooms
SARE listserv
SARE offers more than just grants for those interested in learning more about sustainable agriculture in their region. The organization offers a wide range of educational resources, including books, fact sheets, bulletins, regional newsletters, program materials, videos, project projects and website-based resources, known as Topic Rooms. You can also join the SARE listserv to engage in sustainable ag discussions.

16. To Learn More, Visit: http://www.sare.org http://www.southernsare.org
Call:
Contact your SARE state coordinator
Look for us at conferences, workshops and other events