Western SARE’s Administrative Council has approved $7,765,941 for 82 projects throughout our region. Projects under seven different programs were funded:
- Research & Education: 12 projects at $3,949,030
- Professional + Producer: 12 projects at $851,105
- Farmer/Rancher: 22 projects at $545,632
- Graduate Student: 16 projects at $479,267
- Sabbatical Research & Education: 2 projects at $150,000
- Professional Development: 17 projects at $1,695,219
- Research to Grassroots: 1 project at $95,688
“Unlike the larger USDA grants programs, Western SARE provides support for small to moderate sized family farms and ag marketing enterprises, says Regional Coordinator Clayton Marlow. “ A quick glance at the 2025 funded projects illustrates this year’s support for family and community operations. In New Mexico young ranchers are being trained to make their ranches’ more drought resilient, Pacific Islanders are elevating island food security through development of low cost aquaponic technologies, California producers are testing a new drought tolerant berry to diversify crop production, in Alaska they’re examining the potential for biochar production and efforts are underway in Montana to develop high elevation grazing management strategies to protect endangered tree species.