By Andi Anderson
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) has opened two major grant opportunities focused on supporting sustainable agriculture training and research.
These include the Professional Development Program Grant for agricultural educators and the Graduate Student Grant for student-led research projects. Michigan SARE also offers one-on-one support for applicants preparing proposals.
The Professional Development Program (PDP) Grant invites farm educators and agricultural professionals to apply for funding up to $120,000. Applications are due April 2. These grants support train-the-trainer projects that help educators better serve sustainable farmers and improve agricultural sustainability at local and regional levels.
Proposals must address three essential aspects of sustainability: farmers’ economic viability, natural resource protection, and quality of life for farming communities. The grants focus on training agricultural professionals, often from Extension, NRCS, and nonprofit organizations. Farmer involvement is highly encouraged, with recommended compensation of $25 per hour or more.
Applicants should carefully review the Request for Proposals, including allowable expenses, selection criteria, detailed proposal descriptions, and USDA-NIFA priorities. The North Central SARE Grant How‑To Video Series is recommended to help prepare competitive proposals. Successful projects will begin on or after October 1, 2026.
The SARE Graduate Student Grant is open to graduate students conducting research in sustainable agriculture. Awards may be up to $20,000, with applications due April 16. Projects may last up to 36 months and must support the student’s degree program. Research proposals should clearly outline goals, methods, expected impacts, and their contributions to sustainable farming in the North Central region.
A webinar for graduate student applicants will be held on March 5 to offer guidance and answer questions. Students are encouraged to review examples of previously funded projects.
Michigan SARE offers grant review assistance through coordinators Sarah Zeiler, Emily Proctor, and Katie Brandt. Additional program contacts include Rob Myers for PDP Grants and Betsy Wieland for Graduate Student Grants.
SARE also provides several other grant types, including Partnership Grants, Farmer Rancher Grants, Research and Education Grants, Youth Educator Grants, and Tribal Mini-Grants. Since 1988, SARE has awarded $11.6 million for 342 projects in Michigan, supporting a diverse and inclusive community of sustainable agriculture leaders.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture