The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program was created by the 1992 Farm Bill, and defines the target audience for the professional development program as agricultural professionals, including extension educators, Natural Resource Conservation Service staff, state and federal agency workers, and educators in the profit and not-for-profit sectors serving the food and fiber system.
Each year, Kansas is eligible to receive funds from the North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) for professional development programming for the target audiences. Kansas SARE is managed by K-State Research and Extension and is located at the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas.
Current NCR-SARE Open Calls for Proposals
There are no open NCR-SARE Calls for Proposals
Sample CFPs and general NCR-SARE grant guidelines available here.
Note: We are currently holding the Professional Development Program Call for Proposals, pending notification from our funding source, USDA-NIFA. NIFA Requests for Applications are under review. You can check back for updates or subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when the Calls are released.
Kansas SARE Travel Scholarships are available for agricultural professionals to attend conferences to increase their knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate a basic understanding of sustainable agriculture practices and how the educational opportunity will help them promote sustainable practices with their constituents. Knowledge gained should be applied to existing and new local programming upon completion of the professional improvement event.
All applications are evaluated individually. Decisions to fund travel scholarships are based on the applicant's ability to link the educational opportunity with sustainable agriculture practices in their work. Applications with no relevant link to sustainable agriculture practices will not be funded.
Travel scholarships are awarded as reimbursements. Reimbursable expenses are subject to KSRE and State of Kansas allowable travel rules and include lodging, registration, meals, airfare, and mileage. Those chosen for travel scholarships are required to complete a report immediately after the conference/event to receive their reimbursement. They will also be expected to complete a second report six to twelve months after the event to share how the information was used in their programming and the number of individuals with whom the information was shared.
Travel grants amount limits are up to $300 for an in-state event and up to $1,000 for an out-of-state event. Apply for a travel scholarship here.
The purpose of the Kansas SARE Mini Grant Program is to promote develop of skills and competencies for agricultural professionals through education such as workshops, farm tours, conferences, etc. Agricultural professionals include extension educators, state and federal agency workers, and educators in the profit and not-for-profit sectors serving the food, fuel, and fiber system.
Mini grant activities should build expertise, develop new curriculum or programming, implement innovative educational approaches, and/or create an opportunity for learning and skill development.
Applications should include local stakeholders such as agency staff, not-for-profit organizations, and other producers in planning, creating and delivering mini grant outreach activities.
The intended outcome of the mini grant program is to develop the knowledge and skills of agricultural professionals. Applicants are required to explain how any mini grant activities contribute to professional development and/or the professional development of other educators.
Competitive mini grants of up to $1,000 are available. Applications are accepted year round and should be submitted six to eight weeks prior to the event. Apply for a Kansas SARE Mini Grant here.