Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grants and outreach program. SARE is divided into four regions with the Southern SARE program operating under the cooperative agreements of University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Southern SARE supports sustainable agriculture efforts in 13 states and two U.S. territories. Competitive research grants are the primary tools of the SARE program. What is Sustainable Agriculture? 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 the following broad, long-term goals: - Profitability: Employ farming strategies that enable farmers to remain profitable over the long term; and to grow enough food and fiber to meet humanity's needs; - Stewardship: Enhance the quality of the land, water and air; and make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources; - Quality of Life: Promote the strength and well-being of farmers/ranchers, their families and society as a whole. There are almost as many ways to reach these goals as there are farms and ranches in America. One thing sustainable farmers/ranchers have in common is they look at their farm or ranch from a holistic perspective and develop an integrated management plan that uses principles from nature. Check out this SARE sampler of proven practices. Southern SARE Vision and Mission SARE seeks out innovations in sustainable agriculture, and rewards grant applicants who offer interesting and potentially workable ideas. SARE also emphasizes outreach and the dissemination of project results so the grant programs will have the widest possible benefits. Southern SARE's vision is an enduring American agriculture of the highest quality. This agriculture is profitable, protects the nation's land and water, and is a force for a rewarding way of life for farmers and ranchers whose quality products and operations sustain their communities and society. Southern SARE's mission is to advance—to the whole of American agriculture—innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education.