South

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 […]

Sustainable Strawberry Production Video Series

The videos on this page were developed by the University of Arkansas as part of a training program to help Extension and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) agents share information with strawberry growers about sustainable practices. The videos plus additional information about the training program are also available at the University of Arkansas Sustainable Practices […]

Sustainable Upland Cotton Production

This project developed a set of 12 video training tools to enhance skills and knowledge about sustainable cotton production for Cooperative Extension agents. The 12 videos are listed below. They were created by a team from Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, and Oklahoma State University. Cotton Growth and Development Beltwide Seed Quality Survey Basic Soil […]

Research and Education Grant Program Awards for FY2025 Announced

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) program has announced the proposals selected for funding for the 2025 Research and Education Grants program.  The SSARE Administrative Council recently selected 11 projects totaling $4,368,067. The Research and Education Grants program encourage a systems approach to sustainable agriculture. They are mainly designed for […]

Urban Agriculture Initiatives in Kentucky: Empowering Communities and Driving Research

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin, the founder and director of the Kentucky Black Farmers Association (KBFA), leads the Urban BIPOC Farms Mentoring Program through a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) On-Farm Research grant. The grant involves three urban farmers in different parts of Kentucky, each with unique soil conditions and farming practices. The […]

Georgia Organics & SSARE partnered at SOWTH Conference

Thank you and your team for a great conference! I really enjoyed the energy, the thoughtful sessions, and connection to this amazing community across the Southeast.~Gini Knight, USDA SE Regional Coordinator ATLANTA, Georgia -- A collaborative effort between Georgia Organics and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE), the inaugural SOWTH conference held February 4-6 at the World […]

Virginia Farmer Advancing Edible Winter Pea Breeding to Expand Grain Versatility

KEEZLETOWN, Virginia – On a shelf at Tangly Woods, a 6-acre homesteading farm at the base of the Shenandoah Mountains, sits the 1982 land survey map book for Rockingham County with a description of the farm property’s soil stating, “Not suitable for agriculture.” But for the past two decades, Jason Myers-Benner and his family have […]

Co-Cultivating Rice and Fish to Reduce Methane, Increase Income

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – University of Arkansas researchers are partnering with rice farmers across the state on a project to reduce winter methane emissions in rice fields while providing an additional income stream to acreage. With a $30,000 On-Farm Research Grant, funded by Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE), bioengineer Benjamin Runkle is adding fish […]

Vetiver Grass Use Improves Sustainable Agriculture in the Virgin Islands

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands – Laura Martin focuses her Southern SARE Education Grant (EDS24-069) project on the benefits of using vetiver grass for soil conservation and erosion control. She explained that vetiver's deep, dense roots help stabilize soil, prevent landslides, and increase water infiltration. The grass forms a protective barrier that stops sediment and slows […]

SSARE Welcomes Three New Administrative Council Members

GRIFFIN, Georgia – During the annual summer meeting convening Southern SARE staff and administrative council (AC) members, three new board members were voted in. The new members include Maurice Small, a food consultant and urban farmer from Atlanta, Georgia; Charley Jordan, a veteran, farmer, and educator from Florida; and Hope Ostane-Baucom, a gardener and plant […]

Southern SARE Seeking Nominations for Sustainable Ag Leadership Program

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Southern region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program is seeking nominations for its Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Program for 2025. The application deadline is January 10, 2025. The timeline to conduct projects is June 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. The Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Program recognizes the community leadership contributions of […]

Southern SARE On-Farm Research Grant Call for Proposals Released

GRIFFIN, Georgia -- The Call for Proposals for the 2025 On-Farm Research Grants, intended for agricultural professionals throughout the Southern region who regularly work with farmers/ranchers, has been released by the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) program. Proposal submission deadline is Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at 12 p.m. (NOON) EST. Announcement of […]

Southern SARE Producer Grant Call for Proposals Released

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Call for Proposals for the 2025 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 November 08, 2024 at 12 p.m. (NOON) EST.  Announcement of funded proposals will take place […]