National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is an agency of the USDA. One of the most common ways NIFA connects with farmers is through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE). 

Mission: The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

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What does NIFA do?

NIFA invests in and supports initiatives that ensure the long-term viability of agriculture including promoting sustainable agriculture through national program leadership and funding for research and extension. NIFA funds programs like AgrAbility, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grants and more.

One of the ways that NIFA supports farmers is through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, a competitive grants and education program operating in each state. SARE is divided into four different regions that operate as separate entities and run grant programs for their states. 

How do I connect with SARE?

To learn more or apply for available grants, mini-grants, or scholarships, check out the following pages:

For information or assistance, you can reach out to:


What resources does SARE offer?

The SARE North Central region funds farmer-led and farmer-focused research and education programs about sustainable agriculture in Michigan, prioritizing collaborative projects that meet the greater needs of the agriculture community. SARE is focused on sustainable farming approaches that support ecosystems, communities, farmer wellness, and economic viability. SARE supports sustainable farming innovations through offering resources and grants for farmers, farm educators and agriculture professionals, including the following annual grants:

  • Youth Educator Grants – Up to $6,000 for “educators to develop and implement innovative programming on sustainable agriculture for youth.”
  • Professional Development Grants – Up to $120,000 for training agricultural educators, using farmers as educators and addressing emerging issues in the farm community (due in spring).
  • Graduate Student Grants – Up to $20,000 for master’s and PhD students at accredited colleges and universities to address sustainable agriculture issues in the North Central region (due in spring).
  • Partnership Grants – Up to $50,000 for farm educators and agriculture professionals who partner with three or more farmers to research, demonstrate, educate or collaborate on issues important to sustainable farming. (Due November)
  • Farmer Rancher Grants – Up to $15,000 for one farm or $30,000 for two+ farms to design and lead research, demonstration and education projects in sustainable farm practices. (due December)
  • Research & Education Grants – $10,000 to $250,000 for on-farm research, farmer education and other projects that explore and promote environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible food and/or fiber systems. (due December)
  • Michigan SARE Mini-Grant – Up to $1,500 to organize a conference or workshop addressing environmental, social and financial sustainability for Michigan or regional farmers and educators.
  • Michigan SARE Travel scholarship – Up to $500 for agriculture professionals and sustainable farmers to attend a conference, workshop or event to gain sustainable agricultural skills or knowledge.
  • Michigan SARE Farmer Forum – $6,000 to host and record an event featuring SARE grantees. Email Sarah Zeiler at szeiler@msu.edu to inquire. There is only on SARE Farmer Forum per year.
  • Tribal SARE Mini-Grants for Michigan and Wisconsin – Up to $5,000 for Tribal agencies and Tribal farmers to organize 1) food sovereignty field days, farm tours, workshops, or 2) on-farm research trials or demonstration plots with an outreach plan to share the project with the community.
  • Tribal SARE Travel Grants – Up to $500 for Michigan and Wisconsin Tribal farm educators, agriculture professional and tribal farmers to travel for professional development.

This video series by SARE can also help you to write better grants for SARE programs and beyond.

Watch now

Who is eligible for the offerings of SARE?

Farmers, ranchers, farm educators, advocacy organizations, MSU Extension staff, researchers, and agriculture professionals will each find grant funding and resources through SARE to support their important work. Tribal leaders, farmers, educators and advocates can apply for an additional pool of funding. SARE supports an inclusive mix of farmers and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program or political beliefs.

More information about SARE in Michigan

SARE has distributed $11.6 million to fund 342 grant projects in Michigan since 1988. Recent North Central SARE (NC-SARE) projects in Michigan are outlined in this map of 120 projects since 2016. Michigan SARE Coordinator Sarah Zeiler, Tribal SARE coordinator Emily Proctor, and MSU Extension Educator Katie Brandt are happy to help you brainstorm and review your SARE proposal. SARE is a United States Department of Agriculture program that shares numerous resources for farmers and agriculture educators including books, bulletins, videos and more. For more information about SARE grants and resources, visit Michigan SARE or SARE.

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