Northeast SARE Farmer Grant funds can be used to conduct a research project to explore new concepts in sustainable agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Farmer Grant projects address issues that affect farming with long-term sustainability in mind. Use of funds includes paying farmers for their time, for project-related materials, for project costs like consulting fees or soil tests, and any communications or outreach expenses associated with telling others about project results. Awards typically range from $5,000 to $30,000, depending upon a project’s complexity and duration. Applicants should only request the funding necessary for the success of their project. Farmer Grant recipients are expected to collect and manage reliable data about their project and convey this information clearly through annual and final reports.

This grant program is not meant to help start or expand farm businesses. Farmer Grant funds cannot be used for capital costs associated with building a barn, greenhouse, or other major farm fixture, nor can funds be used to start a farm, purchase durable equipment like tractors or computers, or for any utility, telephone, or other costs that would be there in the absence of the project.

The Farmer Grant program is open to all commercial farm business owners and farm employees in the Northeast region. This grant program accepts all types and scales of farms. To be eligible, you must meet the U.S. Census of Agriculture definition of a Farm: “Any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year.”

Northeast SARE grants are paid on a reimbursement basis, advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Proposals are limited to one per farm per year. Current grant recipients who are behind in their reporting cannot apply.

If you have a research idea or need but prefer to not take the lead on a grant you might want to consider a SARE Partnership Grant which is a grant program where a farm (or farms) work in partnership with another agency on a research project. These grants are generally due in the spring.