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 seeking two producers and two NGO representatives to fill vacant seats on the Administrative Council. The terms would begin in February 2026. Producers and NGO representatives serve on the AC for a three-year term with opportunities for a second renewal term. Application deadline is July 11, 2025. New members will be selected during the summer Administrative Council meeting in August.
Southern SARE’s Administrative Council is the governing body for the SARE program in the Southern region. Made up of 28 members, the Administrative Council, or simply AC, guides the vision of the SARE program, setting goals related to sustainable agriculture, overseeing the review of grant Calls for Proposals, evaluating projects, and being ambassadors for the program.
While members from our partner agencies are appointed by the AC, Producer and NGO members are selected by the AC through an open nomination process. The AC votes to fill positions for 7 producers, and 3 NGOs. Southern SARE invites producers and NGOs to serve on the AC through this process.
Producer Members
Producer members are directly involved in setting the goals of the Southern SARE program. Producer nominations from all 13 states in the southern region, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands will be considered. Application deadline is July 11, 2025.
All AC members are members of standing committees, which may meet or communicate through conference calls to decide policy issues related to SSARE. The Administrative Council depends on outstanding nominees that you and your colleagues from across the region may put forward. We strongly encourage you to invest the effort required to advance good nominees.
Duties of the AC include attending AC meetings twice a year in February and August, generally 3-4 days for each meeting, including travel. Producer members are compensated for the following: for travel, lodging and meal expenses to attend in-person meetings, in addition to a $300 per day honorarium, $300 twice a year for general AC support, $300 per year for each grant committee served to review grant proposals, and a stipend to attend Zoom meetings throughout the year when necessary. Learn more about our Regional Leadership.
Criteria for Administrative Council appointment include the following:
- Run your own farm, regardless of size; alone or with family or partners.
- Proven experience in sustainable agriculture;
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to help address sustainable agriculture needs and methods; and
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team dealing with contemporary issues facing agriculture.
Learn more about Southern SARE at https://www.southernsare.org.
Apply to nominate yourself or another farmer for the Producer Seat the Administrative Council.
For questions, contact Keileah Fears at keileah.fears@uga.edu
Non-governmental Organization Members
NGO members are directly involved in setting the goals of the Southern Region SARE program. Nominations from all 13 states in the southern region, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be considered. Application deadline is July 11, 2025.
All AC members are members of standing committees, which may meet or communicate through conference calls to decide policy issues related to SSARE. The Administrative Council depends on outstanding nominees that you and your colleagues from across the region may put forward. We strongly encourage you to invest the effort required to advance good nominees.
Duties of the AC include attending AC meetings twice a year in February and August, generally 3-4 days for each meeting, including travel. NGO members are compensated for the following: for travel, lodging and meal expenses to attend in-person meetings, in addition to a $300 per day honorarium, $300 twice a year for general AC support, $300 per year for each grant committee served to review grant proposals, and a stipend to attend Zoom meetings throughout the year when necessary. Learn more about our Regional Leadership.
Criteria for Administrative Council appointment include the following:
- Employed by, or serve on the governing board of, an NGO;
- Proven experience in sustainable agriculture;
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to help address sustainable agriculture needs and methods; and
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team dealing with contemporary issues facing agriculture.
Learn more about Southern SARE at https://www.southernsare.org.
Apply to nominate yourself or another NGO for the NGO Seat the Administrative Council.
For questions, contact Keileah Fears at keileah.fears@uga.edu