The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program has released the call for 2021 Farmer Grant applications. Proposals are due online by Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. ET. Farmer Grants provide research funds for commercial farms to explore new ideas in almost any aspect of production, marketing and other topics that influence successful farming in the 12 Northeast states and the District of Columbia. Reviewers look for innovation, potential for improved sustainability and results that will be useful to other farmers. Application materials, including detailed instructions and supporting documents, are posted on the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org/FarmerGrant. Questions about the grant program should be directed to Candice Huber, grant program coordinator, at candice.huber@uvm.edu.
Northeast SARE will host a free Farmer Grant webinar on Oct. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. Huber will provide information on program eligibility, how to apply, types of projects SARE funds, allowable expenses and more. She will be joined by Farmer Grant recipient Jennifer Wilhelm of Fat Peach Farm, Madbury, NH who will share her experiences with the program. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing. To register, visit http://go.uvm.edu/farmergrantwebinar.
Farmer Grant projects must be conducted in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia or Washington, D.C. Grants are capped at $15,000 and projects can run up to two years. Applicants must work with a technical advisor (eg., a Cooperative Extension educator, nonprofit staff, crop consultant, veterinarian, another farmer, etc.) who provides support and advice to the farmer applicant.
Learn more about the Northeast SARE Farmer Grant program at: www.northeastsare.org/FarmerGrant. Contact a State Coordinator directly with questions.