Grants for farm research and outreach as well as building partnerships
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EmailSARE grants available to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers.
Sustainable agriculture researchers and educators as well as farmers and cooperatives researching sustainable farming are encouraged to apply for two grant programs through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE).
The SARE Research and Education Grant funds up to $250,000 for “projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems.” Proposals are due by Oct. 10, 2024.
The SARE Partnership Grant Program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to catalyze on-farm research, demonstration and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Applications are due Oct. 17, 2024, for grants up to $50,000.
Sarah Fronczak, Michigan SARE coordinator, and Katie Brandt, Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program, are glad to advise applicants, review proposals and support farmers, educators and students applying for NCR-SARE grants. Grant writing support is available free of charge for all six North Central SARE grants and for Michigan SARE mini grants. Email froncza3@msu.edu or brandtk7@msu.edu with questions, to have a proposal reviewed or to set up a time to discuss your proposal idea.
Here is a full list of SARE grants available in Michigan:
- Farmer Rancher Grants – Up to $15,000 for one farm or $30,000 for two or more farms to design and lead research, demonstration and education projects in sustainable farm practices. (Due December)
- Research and Education Grants – $10,000 to $250,000 for on-farm research, farmer education and other projects that “explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems.” (Pre-proposals due October)
- Partnership Grants – Up to $50,000 for farm educators and agriculture professionals who partner with three or more farmers to research, demonstrate, educate or collaborate on issues important to sustainable farming. (Due October)
- Youth Educator Grants – Up to $6,000 for projects that teach youth about sustainable agriculture and careers in sustainable agriculture. (Due November)
- Professional Development Grants – Up to $120,000 for training agricultural educators, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community. (Due April 3, 2024)
- Graduate Student Grants – Up to $15,000 for masters’ and PhD students at accredited colleges and universities to address sustainable agriculture issues in the North Central Region. (Due April 18, 2024)
SARE funding supports three common goals:
- Profit over the long term
- Stewardship of our nation’s land, air and water
- Quality of life for farmers, ranchers, farm employees and our communities
Farmers, ranchers, educators, farm advocacy organizations, staff, researchers and agriculture professionals are welcome to apply. North Central Region SARE has distributed more than $11.5 million to fund projects in Michigan since 1988. SARE also distributes numerous resources focused on innovative farming techniques for environmental sustainability, economic viability and farmer/community well-being. For more information about SARE grants and resources, visit the Michigan SARE or SARE websites.
The program aims to support an inclusive mix of farmers and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program or political beliefs.
