What Can Be Funded With a Farmer Grant

Types of funded projects

Farmer Grant funds can be used to explore new marketing and production techniques, pest management, cover crops, composting, agroforestry, new crop trials, bee health and alternative pollinators, new tool development, and a very broad range of other topics that improve profitability, stewardship, and the rural community.

Projects must test a genuinely new idea, offer a new twist on an old one, and show evidence of careful planning. We don't fund projects where a farmer merely wants to adopt a proven sustainable technique--we are looking for innovation.

What grant funds can be used for

Grant funds are used to purchase materials specific to the project, to pay you, the farmer, for your time, to compensate consultants and service providers, and to pay project-specific expenses like lab, travel, and outreach costs.

What grant funds cannot be used for

Funds cannot be used for capital costs or to buy durable equipment, nor can funds be use to buy land, start a farm, or expand an existing operation. Utility, food, and meal costs are also generally excluded except under certain limited circumstances, and clothes--hats, tee shirts, aprons, etc.--are not permitted. In the same vein, giveaways or imprinted promotional items are excluded.

Grant guide

There is a useful guide to developing a Farmer application, with more detail about how funds can be used and examples and explanations of what makes a strong proposal. Download our booklet, How to Write a SARE Farmer Grant Application.