The Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has announced a Call for Pre-proposals for Research & Education grants for 2023.
Donor Name: Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
State: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
County: All Counties
U.S. Territory: American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/19/2022
Size of the Grant: $350,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
With a Research and Education grant, a researcher and at least three (3) Producers work together to develop a proposal to conduct both research and education on a sustainable agriculture topic. Outreach activities may include on-farm/ranch demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer educational activities, and other approaches to assist producer adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The goal of this program is to achieve results that can be communicated to producers and 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 their 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.
Eligible Projects
WSARE requires that agricultural producers be involved from inception to finish in the planning, design, implementation, and educational outreach of any WSAREfunded project. Each of the WSARE-funded grant programs, has slightly different requirements for the composition of the project team and eligible applicant. Assemble your project team accordingly, keeping in mind the inherent interdisciplinary nature of sustainable agriculture.
- Farmer/Rancher Grants:
- The project team must be a minimum of two (2) people and must include: A Producer (Principal Investigator) and a Technical Advisor. The Technical Advisor must be independent of the Producer.
- Professional + Producer Grants
- The project team must be a minimum of six (6) people and must include: An Agricultural Professional (Principal Investigator) and at least five (5) Producers. One of the producers must be identified as the Producer Advisor Representative.
- Research and Education Grants
- The project team must be a minimum of five (5) people and must include: A Researcher (PI or Co-PI), an Outreach Representative (PI or Co-PI), and at least three (3) Producers. One of the producers must be identified as the Producer Advisor Representative.
- Graduate Student Grants:
- The project team must be a minimum of three (3) people and must include: A Graduate Student (Applicant), a Researcher (Principal Investigator and typically the applicant’s major professor) and at least one (1) Producer.
Funding Information
Projects may be one to three years in length. Total funds requested may not exceed $350,000 over the entire budget period.
Eligibility Criteria
Principal Investigators need to reside in the Western region of the United States and should have the capability to conduct both research and Extension/outreach activities. Proposed projects should be submitted from organizations that has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and expertise in sustainable agriculture, and are qualified to receive funds from the U.S. Government. Multi-state and multi-agency collaborations within the Western region are encouraged.
For more information, visit Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
