The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Edcation’s (SARE) Producer Grants program is now open, according to Dr. Ian Kirimi Daniel, Extension livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).
“For farmers and ranchers, who have always wanted to try out a new or innovative idea but did not have the money to test it on your farm, this might be the opportunity for you to do it,” he said.
Up to $25,000 in funding is available to enable individual farmers and ranchers to test sustainable agriculture ideas on their own operations through field trials, on-farm demos, marketing or other approaches, Dr. Daniel said. Any producer or producer organization, like a local, regional or state livestock or breed association can apply. Small-scale operations such as goat and chicken farms are especially encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
“The goal of the grant program is for farmers or ranchers to conduct projects to solve challenges and problems they face, and share what worked and what didn’t, so others facing the same problems can benefit,” he said. “Projects should relate to sustainable agriculture, such as programs involving producing enough food and fiber for today’s growing population without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.”
Individual farmers and ranchers can receive up to $20,000, and farmer or rancher organizations can receive up to $25,000. Proposals are due by 12 p.m. (Eastern time), Nov. 6. Producer grants will be announced in Feb. 2027, and project duration is for two years.
“Producer grants are paid as reimbursements, so you pay for approved project costs first and then get paid back,” Dr. Daniel said. “Advance payments aren’t available. Before you apply, make sure you can legally receive a Southern SARE grant and have the money to cover expenses until you’re reimbursed.”
According to Dr. Daniel, applicants must be in the Southern SARE region that includes Arkansas. Other eligibility requirements to be considered for funding include:
- The proposal must be submitted by an individual farmer/rancher or a farmer/rancher cooperative.
- Producers can be full-time or part-time farmers. Their operation can be individually run or with family or partners and have at least $1,000 of documented annual income from the farm, as defined by USDA. Farm workers are eligible provided the annual productivity is above the $1,000 annual value.
- Farm size and length of time the producer has been in operation does not matter.
- The proposal must address production and marketing issues that promote sustainable agriculture. Applicants must be aware of the definition of sustainable agriculture according to the Congress in the 1990 Farm Bill.
- The proposal must address a research project. They are not designed to pay a farmer to farm.
- Projects must include at least one cooperator. They can be other farmers, researchers, Extension agents, governmental or non-governmental organizations, or others who cooperate in project planning, data collection and outreach of result.
- The proposed project satisfies the requirement of allowable expenses.
- An outreach component is identified in the proposal. Outreach allows the farmer to share his/her project outcomes with the greater farming opportunity.
- Applicants may only submit one Producer Grant proposal per farm per year
- Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply.
Producer grants are research grants. Grant funds cannot be used to pay a farmer to farm, fund operating expenses (such as equipment, buildings, animals or fences) or conduct any kind of farm business.
Grant writing tips
Due to the competitive nature of SARE producer grants, Dr. Daniel recommends visiting the SARE website at https://southern.sare.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/producer-grants/ for tips on writing a successful proposal.
“Before applying, check with the SARE project database to make sure the idea you have in mind hasn’t already been funded. SARE is unlikely to fund repetitive projects. Talk to your county Extension agent or an Extension specialist who can help you design a better project that is more likely to be funded than if you do it on your own,” he said. “But remember, you are the grant writer. The agent cannot write the grant for you. The grants are judged by a panel of farmers and ranchers who decide which projects are most likely to benefit other farmers.”
The number one reason proposals don’t get funded is that the writer did not follow the instructions, Dr. Danel said. Someone must review and rank the proposals sent in. Reviewers are volunteers. If producers make it hard for reviewers to find information because directions weren’t followed, the proposal will likely not be put in high priority.
For more information on this or other livestock-related issues, contact Dr. Daniel at danieli@uapb.edu or (870) 575-8129.
Pursuant to 7 CFR Section 15.3, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, 1890 Research and Extension Programs, offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.