NORTHEAST SARE REGIONAL CENTER

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: OTHER GRANTS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1013497
• Grant No.: 2017-38640-26915
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $5,908,733.00
• Proposal No.: 2017-03853
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2022
• Grant Year: 2017
• Program Code: [MA.1]- Sustainable Ag. (Regional Centers)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
(N/A)
BURLINGTON,VT 05405

Performing Department
Extension

Non Technical Summary
The overall purpose of this set of competitive grants is to encourage research and education that will help agriculture become more profitable, protect natural resources and the environment, and improve the quality of life for rural communities.Research and Education grants provide funding for researchers and outreach specialists to investigate, demonstrate and put into action the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development. Farmer grants provide funding for farmers to investigate new production and marketing strategies on their farms and share this information with other farmers and agricultural service providers. Partnership grants provide funding for extension agents and other agricultural service providers to work in partnership with farmers in conducting on farm research and demonstrations. Graduate Student grants provide funding for graduate students who are doing research on topics specific to sustainable agriculture under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Grantees from all programs achieve the objectives of their projects and findings are adopted by producers and service providers. Examples are the development of new cover cropping systems to improve soil health and new systems of marketing such as CSAs and Food Hubs.This project also includes a PDP program to enhance the knowledge and capabilities in the area of sustainable agriculture among extension educators and other agricultural service providers working directly with farmers. Professional Development grants provide funding to train agricultural service providers including outreach specialists with cooperative extension, NRCS, state departments of agriculture, and non-profit organizations. These service providers are trained in the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development for the ultimate benefit of their farmer clients. State program funding assists state program coordinators in getting the message out about SARE grant opportunities and in providing trainings for agricultural service providers in their state.Grantees from all programs achieve the objectives of their projects and findings are adopted by producers and service providers. Examples are new cover cropping systems for soil health and new systems of marketing such as CSAs and Food Hubs. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at http://mysare.sare.org/mySARE/ProjectReport.aspx as well as on our website at www.nesare.org.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
902	0001	0001	100%

Knowledge Area
902 - Administration of Projects and Programs;

Subject Of Investigation
0001 - Administration;

Field Of Science
0001 - Administration;

Keywords

sustainable

agriculture

research

education

Goals / Objectives
This project provides coordination of the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program for 12 northeastern states and the District of Columbia. The regional office of Northeast SARE coordinates sending out requests for applications as well as the review and recommendation process for the Research and Education grant program, the Partnership grant program, the Graduate Student grant program and the Farmer grant program. Regional staff assemble the Technical Committee to review proposals and convene the Northeast SARE Administrative Council which selects projects to be funded and sets the region's policies, grant programs, and grant funding priorities.The overall purpose of this set of competitive grants is to encourage research and education that will help agriculture become more profitable, protect natural resources and the environment, and improve the quality of life in agricultural communities.The program also coordinates sending out of the requests for proposals as well as the review and recommendation process for the Professional Development Program (PDP).The purpose of the PDP program is to enhance the knowledge and capabilities in sustainable agriculture among extension educators and other agricultural service providers working directly with farmers. The program also helps with the development of sustainable agriculture outreach and education capacity among 1862 and 1890 Land Grant institutions in the Northeast region. The program provides direction to SARE outreach coordinators at each land grant institution in the Northeast states.Success rate is determined by the number of proposals awarded out of proposals reviewed. It is estimated that the success rate for programs funded will be: 32% for Research and Education grant program; 50% for the Partnership grant program; 38% for the Graduate Student grant program, 48% for the Farmer grant program, and 52% for the Professional Development Program.Recipients of the grants can be any organization, including farmers, agricultural service providers, non-profit organizations, land-grant colleges and universities.

Project Methods
The University of Vermont is currently the Host Institution for the Northeast SARE program. The program is administered by a regional SARE staff at the University of Vermont under the direction of an Administrative Council which is responsible for policy-making, and with the assistance of a Technical Committee which is charged with proposal evaluation. The Sponsored Project Administration Office at the University of Vermont is the management entity responsible for the implementation procedures and disbursement of funds as agreed to in the regional Plan of Work. The Principal Investigator, Dr. Vernon Grubinger, is responsible for overall program performance.The day-to-day operation of the Professional Development Program will be under the direction of Janet McAllister, of the University of Connecticut. She will help draft the PDP calls for proposals, attend Administrative Council meetings, and will also lead the twice yearly meetings of the Professional Development Program Committee, consisting of PDP coordinators from each state.1. The regional Plan of Work includes issuing requests for proposals, establishing review teams and procedures, reviewing proposals, and selecting proposals to be considered and approved for funding by the regional Administrative Council. The RFAs, which specify timelines and criteria for individual grant programs, and review procedures for each Northeast SARE grant program are available at www.nesare.org, as are lists of the approved projects in each grant program. These projects are integral to fulfilling the purpose of SARE's authorizing legislation. 2. Upon notification that the University of Vermont's cooperative agreement and letter of credit with NIFA has been approved, sub-award contracts are issued to the various agencies, organizations and individuals in the amounts approved by the Administrative Council.3. Sufficient funds are retained at the University of Vermont for the purpose of meeting the necessary expenses incurred in administering the regional Plan of Work.4. All funds under this Plan of Work will be expended prior to end of grant.5. The host institution will request reimbursement from NIFA for these expenses on the University of Vermont letter of credit.6. Under the leadership of the principal investigator, Dr. Vernon P. Grubinger, the formal organizational structure for the Northeast region will be maintained, including an Administrative Council and a Technical Committee.7. The region's Administrative Council will include representatives from the following categories: State Agricultural Experiment Stations, State Cooperative Extension Services, Agricultural Research Service, State Departments of Agriculture, farmers, and other public and private institutions, organizations and businesses with agricultural interests and expertise. The list of current Administrative Council members is available at www.nesare.org. Other members may be added as the terms of current members are completed.8. The Administrative Council will continue to be large enough in numbers to represent the relevant categories and perspectives, but small enough to permit effective action. The Administrative Council develops, and operates under, policies it deems most effective to assure the effectiveness and integrity of the SARE program. These policies supplement but do not alter the relevant Federal, State and University policies under which the program operates.9. The primary responsibility of the regional Administrative Council is to formulate the overall policy regarding grant making in order to promote research and education on sustainable farming systems within the region. This policy will evolve over time as new problems and opportunities are identified in the region.10. The Council will develop a method for engaging public and private organizations in the region having an active interest in sustainable farming systems or methods, and for ensuring that these organizations have an opportunity to participate in the planning and operation of the region's Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education Program.11. The Council will continue to appoint a regional Technical Committee, and review teams will be appointed from that committee and from the Administrative Council to review specific grant proposals and to make recommendations to the Administrative Council with regard to which proposals are worthy of funding.12. The regional Administrative Council will designate a host institution within the region. Federal monies granted to the region will be routed through this host institution.13. The Council will conduct regional meetings and other events for the purpose of attaining the objectives and goals of this program, including the review of project proposals, preparation of annual plans of work, and preparation of materials necessary to meet the reporting requirements set forth by the Congress.14. The Council will reimburse the necessary and allowable expenses of persons and organizations authorized to attend such meetings and conferences.15. The regional Technical Committee members have knowledge of the specific needs of farmers in the region, and this knowledge is used to evaluate grant proposals. This requires location-specific knowledge of climate, soils, markets and other resources. It requires familiarity with the crops and animal enterprise commonly produced and alternative enterprises that could profitably be produced in the region.The list of persons who are currently serving on Technical Committee for this region and the criteria used by the Technical Committee in evaluating proposals submitted for funding are available at www.nesare.org.16. The region's Technical Committee will include representatives from: State Agricultural Experiment Stations, State Cooperative Extension Services, Agricultural Research Service, State Departments of Agriculture, farmers, and other public and private institutions, organizations and businesses with agricultural interests and expertise. The list of current Technical Committee is available at www.nesare.org. Other members may be added as the terms of current members are completed.17. The Technical Committee follows the procedures and criteria established or approved by the Administrative Council in evaluating projects for the region's Plan of Work.18. The Committee provides the findings of their evaluation of proposed projects to the Administrative Council, which then evaluates and approves proposals, taking into account the need to allocate funds to each of Northeast SARE's grant programs in a manner that best fulfills the overall goals of the SARE program.19. The Committee and the Administrative Council are charged with assuring that the program remains open to participation by all qualified institutions, both public and private. The Calls for Proposals are distributed by hardcopy and made available on-line at www.nesare.org to a wide variety of organizations and individuals inviting them to submit proposals to the grant programs and spelling out the regional guidelines for preparation and review of proposals.

Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include farmers, farm organizations, university researchers, graduate students, extension specialists, and for profit and non-profit agricultural service providers. Outreach efforts targeted to these audiences encourage planning and submission of project proposals of the Research and Education grant program, Partnership grant program, Graduate Student grant program, and Farmer grant program that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Outreach efforts for Professional Development Program grants are meant to induce planning and submission of project proposals that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Development grants are providing funding to train agricultural service providers including Cooperative Extension, state department of agriculture personnel, crop consultants, veterinarians, farm advisors with private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. These service providers are trained in the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development for the ultimate benefit of their farmer clients. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. State program funding assists state program coordinators in getting the message out about SARE grant opportunities and in providing trainings for agricultural service providers in their state. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach efforts are meant to encourage planning and submission of project proposals that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, visible outreach at conferences, and training workshops. Annual and final reports for individual projects were submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. Projects were also highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program awarded $4.4 million in competitive grant projects under this cooperative agreement. These included 6 Research and Education grants awarded in March 2017 out of 70 preproposals and 28 full proposals and 3 Professional Development grants awarded out of 16 preproposals and 11 full proposals. In March 2018, 11 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 124 preproposals and 36 full proposals, 5 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 18 preproposals and 7 full proposals, 31 Farmer grants were awarded out of 63 proposals reviewed, and 17 Partnership grants out of 31 proposals reviewed. In July 2018, 28 Graduate Student grants awarded out of 61 proposals reviewed. In July 2017, state SARE programs from 15 land grant institutions were awarded, totaling $660,348. These programs are described at https://northeast.sare.org/sare-in-your-state/. Research and Education grants are providing funding for researchers and outreach specialists to investigate, demonstrate and put into action the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development. Farmer grants are funding farmers to investigate new production and marketing strategies on their farms and share this information with other farmers and agricultural service providers. Graduate Student grants are funding graduate students to research topics in sustainable agriculture that will serve the interests of farmers and agricultural service providers--extension staff, NRCD personnel, and others in the agricultural community. Partnership grants are providing funding for extension agents and other agricultural service providers to work in partnership with farmers in conducting on farm research and demonstrations. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/.

Publications

Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include farmers, farm organizations, university researchers, graduate students, extension specialists, and for profit and non-profit agricultural service providers. Outreach efforts targeted to these audiences encourage planning and submission of project proposals of the Research and Education grant program, Partnership grant program, Graduate Student grant program, and Farmer grant program that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Outreach efforts for Professional Development Program grants are meant to induce planning and submission of project proposals that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Development grants are providing funding to train agricultural service providers including Cooperative Extension, state department of agriculture personnel, crop consultants, veterinarians, farm advisors with private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. These service providers are trained in the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development for the ultimate benefit of their farmer clients. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. State program funding assists state program coordinators in getting the message out about SARE grant opportunities and in providing trainings for agricultural service providers in their state. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach efforts are meant to encourage planning and submission of project proposals that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, visible outreach at conferences, and training workshops. Annual and final reports for individual projects were submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/.Projects were also highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project provides coordination of the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program for 12 Northeastern U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The regional office of Northeast SARE coordinates sending out requests for applications as well as the review and recommendation process for the Research and Education grant program, the Professional Development Program (PDP), the Farmer grant program, the Graduate Student grant program, the Partnership grant program, and State grant program. The program coordinates sending out of the requests for proposals as well as assembles the Technical Committee to review proposals and we convene the Northeast SARE Administrative Council which selects projects to be funded and sets the region's policy. Annual and final reports will be submitted to the national reporting database athttps://projects.sare.org/. Projects will also be highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website atwww.northeastsare.org.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program awarded $4.4 million in competitive grant projects under this cooperative agreement. These included 6 Research and Education grants awarded in March 2017 out of 70 preproposals and 28 full proposals and 3 Professional Development grants awarded out of 16 preproposals and 11 full proposals. In March 2018, 11 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 124 preproposals and 36 full proposals, 5 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 18 preproposals and 7 full proposals, 31 Farmer grants were awarded out of 63 proposals reviewed, and 17 Partnership grants out of 31 proposals reviewed. In July 2018, 28 Graduate Student grants awarded out of 61 proposals reviewed. The lists of projects funded can be found at www.northeastsare.org. In July 2017, state SARE programs from 15 land grant institutions were awarded, totaling $660,348. These programs are described at https://northeast.sare.org/sare-in-your-state/. Research and Education grants are providing funding for researchers and outreach specialists to investigate, demonstrate and put into action the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development. Farmer grants are funding farmers to investigate new production and marketing strategies on their farms and share this information with other farmers and agricultural service providers.Graduate Student grants are funding graduate students to research topics in sustainable agriculture that will serve the interests of farmers and agricultural service providers--extension staff, NRCD personnel, and others in the agricultural community. Partnership grants are providing funding for extension agents and other agricultural service providers to work in partnership with farmers in conducting on farm research and demonstrations. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/.

Publications

Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include farmers, farm organizations, university researchers, graduate students, extension specialists, and for profit and non-profit agricultural service providers. Outreach efforts targeted to these audiences encourage planning and submission of project proposals of the Research and Education grant program, Partnership grant program, Graduate Student grant program, and Farmer grant program that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Outreach efforts for Professional Development Program grants are meant to induce planning and submission of project proposals that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Development grants provide funding to train agricultural service providers including Cooperative Extension, state department of agriculture personnel, crop consultants, veterinarians, farm advisors with private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. These service providers are trained in the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development for the ultimate benefit of their farmer clients. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. State program funding assists state program coordinators in getting the message out about SARE grant opportunities and in providing trainings for agricultural service providers in their state. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach efforts are meant to encourage planning and submission of project proposals that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, visible outreach at conferences, and training workshops. Annual and final reports for individual projects were submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. Projects were also highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project provides coordination of the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program for 12 Northeastern U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The regional office of Northeast SARE coordinates sending out requests for applications as well as the review and recommendation process for the Research and Education grant program, the Professional Development Program (PDP), the Farmer grant program, the Graduate Student grant program, the Partnership grant program, and State grant program. The program coordinates sending out of the requests for proposals as well as assembles the Technical Committee to review proposals and we convene the Northeast SARE Administrative Council which selects projects to be funded and sets the region's policy. Annual and final reports will be submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. Projects will also be highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program announced the following awards to be funded under this cooperative agreement. In March 2017, 6 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 70 preproposals and 28 full proposals, 3 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 16 preproposals and 11 full proposals. In March 2018, 11 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 124 preproposals and 36 full proposals, 5 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 18 preproposals and 7 full proposals, 31 Farmer grants were awarded out of 63 proposals reviewed, and 17 Partnership grants out of 31 proposals reviewed. In July 2018, 28 Graduate Student grants awarded out of 61 proposals reviewed. The lists of projects funded can be found at www.northeastsare.org. In July 2017, state program proposals from 15 land grant institutions were reviewed and 15 were awarded. These grants are described at https://northeast.sare.org/sare-in-your-state/. Research and Education grants provide funding for researchers and outreach specialists to investigate, demonstrate and put into action the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development. Farmer grants provide funding for farmers to investigate new production and marketing strategies on their farms and share this information with other farmers and agricultural service providers. Graduate Student grants provide funding for graduate students to research topics in sustainable agriculture that will serve the interests of farmers and agricultural service providers--extension staff, NRCD personnel, and others in the agricultural community. Partnership grants provide funding for extension agents and other agricultural service providers to work in partnership with farmers in conducting on farm research and demonstrations. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/.

Publications

Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include farmers, farm organizations, university researchers, graduate students, extension specialists, and for profit and non-profit agricultural service providers. Outreach efforts targeted to these audiences encourage planning and submission of project proposals of the Research and Education grant program, Partnership grant program, Graduate Student grant program, and Farmer grant program that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Outreach efforts for Professional Development Program grants are meant to induce planning and submission of project proposals that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Development grants provide funding to train agricultural service providers including Cooperative Extension, state department of agriculture personnel, crop consultants, veterinarians, farm advisors with private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. These service providers are trained in the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development for the ultimate benefit of their farmer clients. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at projects.sare.org/. State program funding assists state program coordinators in getting the message out about SARE grant opportunities and in providing trainings for agricultural service providers in their state. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach efforts are meant to induce planning and submission of project proposals that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, visible outreach at conferences, and training workshops. Annual and final reports for individual projects were submitted to the national reporting database at projects.sare.org/. Projects were also highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project provides coordination of the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program for 12 Northeastern U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The regional office of Northeast SARE coordinates sending out requests for applications as well as the review and recommendation process for the Research and Education grant program, the Professional Development Program (PDP), the Farmer grant program, the Graduate Student grant program, the Partnership grant program, and State grant program. The program coordinates sending out of the requests for proposals as well as assembles the Technical Committee to review proposals and we convene the Northeast SARE Administrative Council which selects projects to be funded and sets the region's policy. Annual and final reports will be submitted to the national reporting database at projects.sare.org/. Projects will also be highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program announced the following awards to be funded under this cooperative agreement. In March 2017, 6 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 70 preproposals and 28 full proposals, 3 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 16 preproposals and 11 full proposals. In March 2018, 11 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 124 preproposals and 36 full proposals, 5 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 18 preproposals and 7 full proposals, 31 Farmer grants were awarded out of 63 proposals reviewed, and 17 Partnership grants out of 31 proposals reviewed. In July 2018, 28 Graduate Student grants awarded out of 61 proposals reviewed. The lists of projects funded can be found at www.northeastsare.org. In July 2017, state program proposals from 15 land grant institutions were reviewed and 15 were awarded. These grants are described at www.northeastsare.org/State-Programs. Research and Education grants provide funding for researchers and outreach specialists to investigate, demonstrate and put into action the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development. Farmer grants provide funding for farmers to investigate new production and marketing strategies on their farms and share this information with other farmers and agricultural service providers. Graduate Student grants provide funding for graduate students to research topics in sustainable agriculture that will serve the interests of farmers and agricultural service providers--extension staff, NRCD personnel, and others in the agricultural community. Partnership grants provide funding for extension agents and other agricultural service providers to work in partnership with farmers in conducting on farm research and demonstrations. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at projects.sare.org/.

Publications

Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include farmers, farm organizations, university researchers, graduate students, extension specialists, and for profit and non-profit agricultural service providers. Outreach efforts targeted to these audiences encourage planning and submission of project proposals of the Research and Education grant program, Partnership grant program, Graduate Student grant program, and Farmer grant program that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Outreach efforts for Professional Development Program grants are meant to induce planning and submission of project proposals that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, outreach at farmer and professional events, and training workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional Development grants provide funding to train agricultural service providers including outreach specialists with cooperative extension, NRCS, state departments of agriculture, and non-profit organizations. These service providers are trained in the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development for the ultimate benefit of their farmer clients. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. State program funding assists state program coordinators in getting the message out about SARE grant opportunities and in providing trainings for agricultural service providers in their state. In addition, during this reporting period, a national conference was offered as a professional development opportunity; proceedings may be found at: https://www.sare.org/Events/Our-Farms-Our-Future-Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach efforts are meant to induce planning and submission of project proposals that will uncover new knowledge in sustainable agriculture or enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and that will train service providers in sustainable agriculture so that they can conduct programs that will enhance the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These outreach efforts include online and print instructional materials, visible outreach at conferences, and training workshops. Annual and final reports for individual projects were submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. Projects were also highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This project provides coordination of the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program for 12 Northeastern U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The regional office of Northeast SARE coordinates sending out requests for applications as well as the review and recommendation process for the Research and Education grant program, the Professional Development Program (PDP), the Farmer grant program, the Graduate Student grant program, the Partnership grant program, and State grant program. The program coordinates sending out of the requests for proposals as well as assembles the Technical Committee to review proposals and we convene the Northeast SARE Administrative Council which selects projects to be funded and sets the region's policy. Annual and final reports will be submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. Projects will also be highlighted in Northeast SARE's newsletter, Innovations, and through the Northeast SARE website at www.northeastsare.org.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program announced the following awards to be funded under this cooperative agreement. In March 2017, 6 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 70 preproposals and 28 full proposals, 3 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 16 preproposals and 11 full proposals. In March 2018, 11 Research and Education grants were awarded out of 124 preproposals and 45 full proposals, 5 Professional Development grants were awarded out of 18 preproposals and 8 full proposals, 31 Farmer grants were awarded out of 63 proposals reviewed, and 17 Partnership grants out of 31 proposals reviewed. In July 2018, 28 Graduate Student grants awarded out of 61 proposals reviewed. The lists of projects funded can be found at www.northeastsare.org. In July 2018,state program proposals from 15 land grant institutions were reviewed and 15 were awarded. These grants are described at http://www.northeastsare.org/State-Programs. Research and Education grants provide funding for researchers and outreach specialists to investigate, demonstrate and put into action the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development. Farmer grants provide funding for farmers to investigate new production and marketing strategies on their farms and share this information with other farmers and agricultural service providers. Graduate Student grants provide funding for graduate students to research topics in sustainable agriculture that will serve the interests of farmers and agricultural service providers--extension staff, NRCD personnel, and others in the agricultural community. Partnership grants provide funding for extension agents and other agricultural service providers to work in partnership with farmers in conducting on farm research and demonstrations. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. Professional Development grants provide funding to train agricultural service providers including Cooperative Extension, state department of agriculture personnel, crop consultants, veterinarians, farm advisors with private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. These service providers are trained in the latest innovations in agricultural production, marketing, environmental protection, and sustainable rural community development for the ultimate benefit of their farmer clients. Individual project outcomes can be found in annual and final reports submitted to the national reporting database at https://projects.sare.org/. State program funding assists state program coordinators in getting the message out about SARE grant opportunities and in providing trainings for agricultural service providers in their state.

Publications