Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)

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.

logo for North Central Regio Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Current NCR-SARE Open Calls for Proposals

Professional Development Grant - deadline to submit is April 2, 2026

Graduate Student Grant - deadline to submit is April 16, 2026

Sample CFPs and general NCR-SARE grant guidelines available here.

Note: Sign up for the NCR-SARE mailing list to be notified when future Calls for Proposals are released.

 

Kansas Professional Development
Travel Scholarship Program - currently open

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 connect the educational opportunity with sustainable agriculture practices in their work. Priority will be given to professional improvement opportunities that promote greater understanding of topics within with the current Kansas SARE Initiatives:

  • Paths to Sustainability with Farm Labor
  • Generational Transfer in Agriculture
  • Soil, Water, Climate
  • Sustainable Agricultural Systems

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.

 

Kansas SARE Mini Grant Program - currently open

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. Priority will be given to mini grants for programming that promotes deeper understanding of topics within with the current Kansas SARE Initiatives:

  • Paths to Sustainability with Farm Labor
  • Generational Transfer in Agriculture
  • Soil, Water, Climate
  • Sustainable Agricultural Systems

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 to allow time for review. Apply for a Kansas SARE Mini Grant.

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.