What is SARE?
SARE stands for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.
- SARE is a USDA competitive grants program.
- SARE has regional programs and regional leadership.
- SARE supports research and education that helps build the future economic viability of agriculture in the United States.
- SARE funding is authorized under Subtitle B of Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.
The Northeast SARE Outcome Statement
An outcome statement, like a mission statement, expresses a long-term vision of the results we are working to achieve. The Northeast SARE outcome statement is:
Agriculture in the Northeast will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to its customers; it will be conducted by farmers who manage resources wisely, who are satisfied with their lifestyles, and have a positive influence on their communities and the environment.
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
As defined by Congress, sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:
- satisfy human food and fiber needs;
- enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;
- make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
- sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
- enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
We can add to this by saying that sustainable agriculture is economically viable. If it is not profitable, it is not sustainable.
Sustainable agriculture is socially supportive. A premise of sustainability is that the quality of life of farmers, farm families, and farm communities is important.
Sustainable agriculture is ecologically sound. We recognize that we must preserve the resource base that sustains us all.
Sustainable agriculture practices address pest management, cultural practices, soil fertility, adding value, and farm profitability. SARE actively seeks out farming and marketing techniques that speak to the long-term viability of agriculture.
The Grants Programs
The primary tool the program uses to reach its outcome statement is an active grants program that serves farmers, researchers, and educators. To explore these different opportunities in detail, go to “Apply for Grants” and read and download our various applications. To learn more about the grants we have funded in the past, you can search the national SARE database.
The Northeast Region
The region is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.
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