Community Development

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 […]

Southern SARE Webinar held on the Professional Development Program Grant Program

GRIFFIN, Georgia – The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program held a free webinar on August 16 for agricultural professionals such as Cooperative Extension; NRCS; Farm Service Agency, or other USDA agency staff; agriculture consultants; non-governmental organizations; mentor farmers; and other agriculture professionals interested in learning more about and applying for the Professional Development […]

HABESHA Progresses: Intends to Give Back by Supporting Others

Atlanta, GEORGIA -  by DaraMonifah Cooper Social sustainability is one of the three pillars that Southern SARE encourages more research, education and outreach on. More commonly called quality of life, many aren’t always able to identify and include the specifically related area, but some are all about it as an integral part of their holistic […]

2024 Innovative Urban Ag Conference: Bridging Education, Agriculture, and Technology

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - Kesha Cobb wanted to combine education, urban agriculture and technology so she applied for the Southern SARE Education grant and was awarded $50,000 to create the 2024 Innovative Urban Ag Conference (IUAC) taking place in the fall. A one day, power-packed event, the IUAC will encompass live, futuristic agriculture exhibits, educational […]

Adding Livestock Farm Diversification with Yaks

MOREHEAD, Kentucky – On a frigid January morning at Morehead State University, Kentucky farmer Greg Dike keeps his fingers crossed for good news as MSU veterinary technology professor Philip Prater completes the pregnancy tests of four yak heifers from Dike’s farm. Yes, you read that right…yaks. Dike has been championing yaks since 2013 as an […]

Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Program Supports Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers

This program seeks to champion the leadership contributions of those who serve historically underserved audiences within the Southern region. Participants receive sponsorship support to conduct education or training activities about sustainable agriculture.

Farm to Fork in North Carolina

This guide provides key action ideas for building a sustainable food economy in North Carolina.

Sustainable Food Systems for Georgia’s Agrarian Future

In Georgia, demand for local, sustainable food exceeds the supply, but a lack of infrastructure limits the development of a local, sustainable food system. Through a Southern SARE planning grant, the Georgia Sustainable Agriculture Consortium was formed to coordinate and leverage resources across the state of Georgia and to determine the necessary components of a […]

Private Landowners Guide to Forest Certification in the South

"Private Landowners' Guide to Forest Certification in the South," developed by the LSU Ag Center and Mississippi State University Extension, helps forest landowners understand forest certification.

Finding Common Ground with Farmers and Policymakers on Urban Agriculture Development in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The damage to small farms in Puerto Rico from Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017 brought to light the disconnect between communities interested in urban agriculture initiatives and local governments that don’t recognize their social and economic benefits. To provide solutions, researchers at Ana G. Méndez (formerly Metropolitan University) in […]

Benefits to Farmers Who Donate Fresh Produce to Food Banks

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Whole Crop Harvest initiative has released a new video to encourage farmers to donate produce to food banks. Donations to food banks provide alternatives for farmers when they are unable to sell all of their fresh produce, says Rebecca Dunning, a North Carolina State […]

North Carolina Study Shows Local Foods a Driver for Economic Development, Especially in Rural Areas

RALEIGH, North Carolina – North Carolina farms that sell directly to consumers are more interconnected with their local economies than non-direct-to-consumer farms, and have a greater multiplier effect of generated revenue, based on the results of a North Carolina State University survey. The results, which could have applicability on a regional level, are intended to […]

Good Agricultural Practices

This guide from North Carolina State University provides growers with a framework for them to develop their own food safety plans.