South

Southern SARE Seeking Nominations to Fill New Military Veteran Member Seat on the Administrative Council

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program is seeking a military Veteran to fill the vacant Veteran Member seat on its Administrative Council, the governing body for the program in the Southern region. SARE is a USDA-funded program that provides both research grant funding opportunities and educational resources for farmers/ranchers, […]

Seed Saving Resources for Florida Growers

Seed saving is the art and practice of preserving and sharing seeds from desired open-pollinated plants. Saving seeds has many benefits and motivations that may include improving the adaptability of a crop to a region or microclimate, preserving cultural traditions and foods, growing for nutrient density and flavor preferences, saving on the cost of seed […]

2026 Southern SARE Producer Grants Funded

GRIFFIN, Georgia – Over $344,000 in grants from the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program has been funded for farmers to further sustainable agriculture production and marketing practices throughout the Southern region. Topics including interseeding cover crops into cotton, establishing native wildflower cover crops in apple orchards, building local corn seed production, and […]

Gleaning Safely: Training Videos

 Gleaning is the process of volunteers harvesting or otherwise recovering quality produce from farms and markets to redistribute through regional and local hunger relief programs. Participating in gleaning can support long-term sustainability goals of agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship, financial profitability, farmer/grower quality of life, and societal goals of addressing hunger associated with food insecurity.  This […]

A Farmer's Legal Guide to Humane Handling Requirements

This guide for farmers and ranchers covers humane handling regulations and issues. The guide includes the legal requirements small slaughter and processing plants must comply with, including farmers that run their own meat or poultry processing facility or slaughter under an exemption. The guide also includes recommendations for farmers on the next steps and preparations […]

2026 SSARE Graduate Student Grant Call for Proposals Now Open

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program has released the 2026 Call for Proposals for Graduate Student Grants. Southern SARE Graduate Student Grants are open to Master’s and PhD students, enrolled at accredited institutions across the Southern region, who are interested in exploring areas of sustainable agriculture through quantitative and […]

Soil Health and Crop Benefits to Integrating Biochar and Poultry Litter in Plasticulture Tomatoes

TIFTON, Georgia – Biochar, a soil amendment, mixed with poultry litter, an organic fertilizer, improved soil health and increased crop performance in south Georgia tomatoes, compared to biochar mixed with synthetic fertilizers, a University of Georgia study shows. Funded through a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) Graduate Student Grant, horticulture professor Ted McAvoy […]

Southern SARE Producer Grant Call for Proposals Released

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Call for Proposals for the 2026 Producer Grant Program, intended for farmers/ranchers and farmer/rancher organizations throughout the Southern region, is now available from the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) program. Proposal submission deadline is December 5, 2025 at 12 p.m. (NOON) EST.  Announcement of funded proposals will take place […]

2026 Professional Development Program Grants Call for Pre-proposals Released

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Call for Pre-proposals for the 2026 Southern SARE Professional Development Program (PDP) Grants is now open. One (1) or two (2) year proposals may be funded up to $100,000. The Professional Development Program is a “train the trainer” program, providing funding to agricultural professionals to train Cooperative Extension agents, USDA field […]

Southern SARE Releases 2026 Research and Education Grant Call for Pre-proposals

GRIFFIN, Georgia -- The Southern region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has released its Call for Pre-proposals for the 2026 Research & Education Grants program. The release timeline for the 2026 Research & Education Grants Pre-proposal, along with the full proposal invite, has been adjusted. Please make a note of this […]

Southern SARE Seeking Nominations to Fill Two Producer and One NGO Seat on the Administrative Council

GRIFFIN, Georgia -- Interested in sustainable agriculture and are looking to have an impact on sustainable agriculture practices in your community? The Southern SARE program gives producers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) the opportunity to serve on the Administrative Council and provide a “voice” for the direction of sustainability across the Southern region. Southern SARE is […]

Graduate Student Sustainable Agriculture Projects for FY2025 Announced

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) program has announced the funded projects for the 2025 Graduate Student Grants program. The SSARE Administrative Council recently funded 18 projects totaling $386,238. The Graduate Student Grants program is one of the few sustainable agriculture research funding opportunities open to Master’s and PhD students […]

SARE Seeking Event Planner to Lead National Food Loss and Waste Workshops

GRIFFIN, Georgia -- The USDA recognizes the impacts of food loss and food waste on food security and the environment. USDA, in concert with agency partners, is working toward the goal of reducing food loss and food waste by 50 percent by 2030. In the latest effort in reduction activities, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education […]

Optimizing Nutrient and Water Management for Organic Mixed Vegetable Production Systems

These videos feature farmers in Florida who share their practices and experiences when it comes to managing nutrients and water in organic systems. Impact of clay amendments on nutrient and water management This video showcases the impacts of clay amendments on nutrient and water management at Siembra Farm, located near Gainesville, Fla. Grazing cover crops […]

Soil for Water

This series of 11 semi-structured interviews was carried out by Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension to better understand farmers’ and ranchers’ agroecological motivations and values related to the protection and conservation of water resources. The series highlights diverse farms of Virginia’s agricultural community through a narrative inquiry framework. Introduction to the Soil for Water […]

Regenerative Grazing in the South: Case Studies from Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Virginia

A multistate team lead by the National Center for Appropriate Technology developed the following series of rancher profiles as part of a larger project to promote regenerative grazing and soil health throughout the South. Case Studies from Texas This publication explains historical factors that have created barriers to adoption and profiles a working group and […]

Aquatic Mammal Management on Agricultural Lands

These resources were created by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to assist landowners in the sustainable management of ponds, wetlands and wildlife. This video addresses the control and management of problematic aquatic mammals, such as beavers and nutria, which can cause significant damage to aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure. It covers effective strategies and best practices for […]

Yak Meat Production Enterprise Budgets

Instructions: Enterprise Budget Worksheet for Yak Meat Production This guide offers instructions for using the Enterprise Budget Worksheet for Yak Meat Production, below. Excel tool: Enterprise Budget Worksheet for Yak Meat Production This decision tool is targeted for those interested in raising yaks for meat production. The goal is to assist individuals in accounting for […]