Eligibility
- Agricultural professionals working in outreach programs focused on farmer and rancher education.
- Must have an interest in learning about sustainable agriculture systems across the US and applying what you learn with your agricultural community.
- Applicants must live and work in the United States or its protectorates. We cannot accept applications from international partners.
- Because the purpose of this program is to provide professional development to agricultural professionals, it is not open to undergraduate, graduate students, or postdocs unless they also meet the first criterion above.
Applicants who meet these criteria may be elevated by reviewers in the final ranking
- Agricultural professionals are considered to be individuals who assist farmers or ranchers as part of their work - including but not limited to Cooperative Extension professionals, university and college professionals, non-profit professionals, and others. It is important that selected Fellows work in the area of sustainable agriculture and directly engage farmers and ranchers in educational activities as a component to their jobs.
- Early career professionals (10 years or less).
- Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) through serving, centering leadership by, or otherwise engaging historically underserved farmers and ranchers.
Program Expectations
- Long-distance travel (air and ground) will be required by participants of this program.
- Multiple overnight stays are required by participants of this program.
- Program activities may include intensive days that extend beyond working hours.
- Collaboration and travel in groups is required.
- Attendance at four national study tours during your program period are required.
- Fellows are expected to lead their own sustainable agriculture educational experience by the end of their program. Please note that this portion of the program lacks details as it is currently being revised.
- SARE leadership and tour hosts will strive to accommodate specific requests to the best of our ability, but may be limited by program resources and regional access.
Application Process
Applications will not be considered until we receive a letter of support from your immediate supervisor (whoever approves your travel and leave). We also require two letters of reference. The supervisor may also serve as a reference, in which case their permission may be included in the same letter. If you are responsible for managing your own time without supervision, you may send a note stating that instead. Please send letters to assoc_dir@sare.org. Please indicate SARE FELLOWS and APPLICANT LAST NAME in the subject line of your email.
You may be contacted by the final review committee with follow up questions.
Deadline for Applications
Applications are closed for 2024 and are expected to reopen next spring. Current applicants will be notified in fall 2024.
Support provided by: USDA National SARE Program. The availability of this program will be dependent upon the consent of USDA SARE and the availability of funds.