The University of Maryland has been selected to serve as the National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO) for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. This 10-year investment is being made as part of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) selection of four regional host institutions to manage SARE's regional granting programs.
“This investment in sustainable agriculture underscores USDA’s ongoing commitment to transforming our food and agricultural systems,” said Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics (REE). “Through this investment, SARE will continue to provide competitive grants and education programs that foster farmer-driven innovation to promote climate-smart practices, make sustainable producers more profitable, and improve local economies and the quality of life in rural communities.”
"Since its authorization in the 1990 Farm Bill, SARE has supported farmers in four regions (North Central, Northeast, South, and West), with each regional program hosted by a Land-grant Institution and guided by volunteer Administrative Councils that make grants and set regional priorities. These councils include farmers and ranchers along with representatives from universities, government, agribusiness and nonprofit organizations. Technical reviewers, also volunteers, lend professional and practical experience to help councils evaluate project proposals."
For more information, visit the USDA release USDA Invests Over $46M in Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.