Southern SARE offers funds for direct Farmer/Rancher training. Individuals may apply to receive training directly from a farmer.
The purpose of the Farmer/Rancher Education Sponsorship program is to empower farmers/ranchers within the SSARE region to identify and receive targeted skills, information, and training necessary for their sustainable farming success while becoming an additional resource to their farming community through advancement and innovation. Sponsorship recipients will be required to provide a summary report of their educational takeaway to SSARE, which will be a further resource for other farmers. This summary report form will be provided to the farmer by SSARE upon completion of the sponsorship.
The Farmer/Rancher Education Sponsorship program is administered through SSARE's Professional Development Program, where relationship building between farmers and state ag coordinators is encouraged, and outreach/education impacts are required. Funds are drawn from de-obligated funds on a quarterly basis and may not always be available. For additional information and application procedures, contact your State Ag Coordinator or the David Redhage, the SSARE Professional Development Program Coordinator.
Sponsorship Requirements
To qualify for a Farmer/Rancher Education Sponsorship, farmer applicants should primarily engage in farming or ranching, either full-time or part-time. Applicants managing farmers independently, with family members, or partners, should have documented annual income of at least $1,000 from their farming operations, as defined by USDA. There are no restrictions concerning farm size or the duration of farming experience.
The SSARE region encompasses 13 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Allocation of training funds is conducted with a focus on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and organization. Requests must be $2,999 or less and be submitted at least 30 days prior to the intended event.
Scholarship funds may cover expenses such as registration fees, accommodations, and transportation. Funds can also be used to provide a stipend for the farmer-trainer conducting the training or holding the event. Funds do not cover meals, tools, or equipment.
Sponsorship funds can be used for:
- Cost of farmer-to-farmer education or strategic mentorship;
- Cost of training for use of specific tools, technology, equipment, or infrastructure;
- Travel costs (mileage, rental car, airfare) or lodging associated with classes, or site visits with mentor farmers;
- Conference and workshop attendance.
Ineligible uses of funds include:
- Meals;
- Purchase of tools or equipment.
Applicants are required to outline the training's content and its potential benefits to their farming or ranching operations. Additionally, applicants should illustrate how the acquired knowledge might be utilized in training others in the future. Applicants are asked to explain what the purpose of the training is, how it pertains to sustainable agriculture, and detail the need and benefit of the proposal to the applicant and the larger community.
Applicants are asked to explain specifically what knowledge, new skills, or other information they hope to obtain, and how that information can be applied to their farm or their community to further sustainable agriculture. Applicants are asked to explain how the information they seek is currently inaccessible or insufficient, and why attending the event or opportunity is needed, useful, and appropriate to filling that need. If farmers/ranchers are seeking individual professional support, farmer-to-farmer learning, or other opportunities not formalized into a class or conference, they must explain the qualifications of the individuals involved and what experiences or expertise they offer.
Funds are drawn from de-obligated funds on a quarterly basis and may not always be available. For additional information and application procedures, contact your State Ag Coordinator or the Southern Regional Professional Development Program Coordinator.
NOTE: Per University of Georgia policy, only hotels/motels are allowable lodging establishments for reimbursement. Businesses, such as Airbnb, Vrbo, HomeAway, condos/townhomes, or similar vacation rentals are not allowable lodging services. All travelers need to be aware of this State of Georgia policy and that neither UGA nor USG has the authority to grant exceptions. For UGA to reimburse lodging expenses, travelers must stay at a hotel or motel. For travel reimbursement purposes, all 50 U.S. states are considered domestic travel. The 16 U.S. territories and commonwealths, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are also considered domestic travel.
International travel is not allowed.