Grant
Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant
Western SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)
What you can get
Up to $35,000 • Producer-led on-farm research plus outreach on sustainable agriculture topics spanning social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Projects run 1-3 years. Also covers American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This is the farmer-direct SARE track, distinct from the Professional Development, Research & Education, and Graduate Student tracks.
- Readiness
- Prep docs first
- Who can apply
- producer, Agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers) in the 13 Western states and the Pacific island protectorates are the main applicants; they must partner with a technical advisor, but the producer is the applicant and grant recipient.
- Coverage
- AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY
- Deadline & timing
- Due October 28, 2026. OPEN NOW as of August 2026 - the program page status reads 'Open - Closes October 28' and Western SARE's grants index gives the precise cutoff as Oct 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM Mountain Time (noon, not midnight). Just outside the Aug 18 - Oct 17 flag window by 11 days, but farmers should be drafting now since a technical advisor must be lined up. Awards are contingent on USDA-NIFA authorizing funding to Montana State University.
soil healthcover cropgrazingnutrient managementwater quality
Last verified Aug 18, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.