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. Applications are due October 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon) Mountain Time, not midnight. Farmer/Rancher grants are producer-led projects (1-3 years) done with a technical advisor, so line up your advisor well before the deadline. Western SARE notes that awards are contingent upon USDA-NIFA authorizing funding to its host institution, Montana State University.
Optional expert service · $249
Turn program research into an application package.
An eligibility screen for one farm, a shortlist of up to three relevant programs, and draft practice justifications and a document checklist for one selected application. Delivered within 7 business days after intake.
Last verified Oct 3, 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.