Showing 21-40 of 130 results
In Revitalizing the Chestnut Industry, a North Carolina Farmer is Chasing the Perfect Nut
BURNSVILLE, North Carolina – Ron Fritz has a vision to restore the grandeur of the American chestnut tree in Western North Carolina. The retired food scientist turned farmer sets his gaze on the forested hillsides of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside his small chestnut orchard and recounts the stories told of American chestnut trees that […]
The Role of Black Farmer Organizers in Promoting Healthy and Sustainable Local Community Food Access
BLACKSBURG, Virginia – Seeking answers to the critical question of how contemporary Black farmer organizers and their networks actively create sustainable food systems pathways, Nicole I. Nunoo, at Virginia Tech, used a Southern SARE graduate student grant to employ a community-based case study of Black farmers who are at the forefront of sustainable agricultural development in […]
Using Automation for a More Sustainable Method of Weed Management
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee – In the not too distant future of sustainable weed management, a farmer rolls a robot out to a crop field, and using a combination of virtual reality, precision agriculture, and artificial intelligence, zaps weeds with a laser -- leaving the cash crop to grow unimpeded in an environment free of weeds and […]
Saving Seeds for Resilient Local Systems
An inclusive online video series, funded by Southern SARE, helps promote seed-saving among Southeastern farmers and encourages a deeper exploration into seeds, heritage and ethics.
Southern SARE Releases 2025 Research and Education Grants 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 2025 Research & Education Grants program. Research pre-proposals focus on sustainable agriculture based on a systems approach to research, which aims to understand how the components of a system interact with each […]
Getting the Most Sap from Each Tap in Black Walnut Syrup Production
MCDOWELL, Virginia – Long before the Civil War, land on the mountainous slopes of the Allegheny Mountains in western Virginia had been cleared for logging and cattle grazing. Today, agriculture is still prominent, but in the form of syrup tapped from hardwoods – maple, hickory, elm, black walnut – that have retaken the landscape. Syrup […]
2024 SSARE Graduate Student Grant Call for Proposals Now Open
GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program has released the 2024 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 […]
Using Native Plants as a Cover Crop for Soil and Vegetable Production Benefits
SANDSTON, Virginia – Patches of partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) dot Patrick Johnson’s permaculture farm, still holding on to their yellow summer flowers while setting pods to drop seed in the coming colder temperatures. Johnson is excited to see the native plant growing wild on his Airport Food Forest Farm; he believes the legume will make […]
SARE Seeking National Program Manager in Support of Food Loss and Food Waste Initiative in 2024
GRIFFIN, Georgia -- In 2024, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program will initiate a $10 million national food loss and food waste grants program to support projects that align with USDA activities aimed at reducing food loss and reducing food waste, getting surplus wholesome food to individuals, and developing linkages between food producers, […]
Using Aerated Compost Tea as a Fertilizer Alternative in Organic Vegetable Production
LEESBURG, Virginia – With the rising costs of fertilizers, farmers are seeking alternative options to supplement soil health for crops. One microgreens farmer in Virginia is testing the validity of aerated compost tea as a viable option for small-scale vegetable growers, especially for those who wish to pursue organic production practices. In a two-year Southern […]
Southern SARE Accepting Nominations for 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Program
GRIFFIN, Georgia -- The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program is accepting nominations for the 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Program. Application deadline is Jan. 8, 2024. Mentor farmers/ranchers, community groups, non-profits and non-governmental organizations strive to create ag community resiliency and vitality in the face of a myriad of agricultural challenges, from lack […]
Southern SARE On-Farm Research Grants Call for Proposals Released
GRIFFIN, Georgia -- The Call for Proposals for the 2024 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, Dec. 1, 2023 at 12 p.m. (NOON) EST. Announcement of […]
Southern SARE Producer Grant Call for Proposals Released
GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Call for Proposals for the 2024 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 10, 2023 at 12 p.m. (NOON) EST. Announcement of funded proposals will take place […]
Mentoring the Next Generation of Scientists
MIAMI, Florida – The future of sustainable agriculture is in the hands of the next generation of scientists, and one Florida high school student had the opportunity to work side-by-side with Florida International University (FIU) researchers in finding solutions to our most challenging agricultural problems. Sri Madabhushi, who graduated from Pembroke Pines Charter High School […]
Exploring Algal Blooms as Biofertilizer in Vegetable Production
MIAMI, Florida – Algal blooms, which can grow excessively on lakes and other slow-flowing bodies of water, are an environmental, ecological, economic, and social problem. But Florida International University (FIU) researchers are seeking to reverse those issues by using the microscopic organisms as biofertilizer in agricultural crops. Agroecologist Krish Jayachandran and Earth and Environment post […]
Professional Development Program Grants Now Being Accepted
GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Call for Pre-proposals for the Southern SARE Professional Development Program (PDP) Grant is now open. The Professional Development Program is a “train the trainer” program, providing funding to agricultural professionals to train Cooperative Extension agents, USDA field personnel, and other ag professionals and educators in areas of sustainable agriculture production practices. […]
Zeroing in on Nutritional Needs to More Effectively Manage Citrus Greening
FORT PIERCE, Florida – Maintaining optimum tree health has become the top management strategy for Florida citrus growers in combating citrus greening, and University of Florida researchers are working to hone in on a tree’s nutrient needs for more timely and targeted fertilizer applications. Lorenzo Rossi, a plant root biologist with University of Florida Indian […]
Southern SARE Seeking Nominations to Fill Vacant Producer Seat on the Administrative Council
GRIFFIN, Georgia -- Interested in sustainable agriculture and looking to have an impact on sustainable agriculture practices in your community? The Southern SARE program gives producers the opportunity to serve on the Administrative Council and provide a “voice” for the direction of sustainability across the Southern region. Southern SARE is seeking a producer to fill […]
Southern SARE Seeking Nominations to Fill Vacant Agribusiness Seat on the Administrative Council
GRIFFIN, Georgia – Interested in sustainable agriculture and looking to have an impact on sustainable agriculture practices in your community? The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program gives an agribusiness representative the opportunity to serve on the Administrative Council and provide a “voice” for the direction of sustainability across the Southern region. Southern […]
Culturing Live Microalgae to Improve Nutrition in Bait Fish
FORT PIERCE, Florida – Algae, zooplankton and other microscopic organisms are such a vital component of commercial fish hatcheries as a high protein food source that aquaculturists are always looking for ways to optimize their culture for higher fish nutrition and improved growth performance. One aquaculturist in south Florida received a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research […]