UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Government

Name of Ministry/Agency:	Department of State

Country:	United States of America

Name of Focal Point:	Hiram Larew

Initiative Title:	Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education: Grants and Information to Improve Profitability, Stewardship and Quality of Life

Internet links:	http://www.sare.org http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/ag_systems/sri/sustain_ag_sri_survey http://www.sare.org/highlights

Scope:	National: - United States of America

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: End:

Lead Institution:	U.S. Deparment of Agriculture

Stakeholders/Partners:	U.S. Land Grant Universities and Colleges

Relevent issues:	- Food security and sustainable agriculture - Enhancing agricultural productivity through adequate and sustainable inputs - Community-based and indigenous approaches to food production - Diversifying agricultural production systems

Objectives/Challenges:

Since 1988, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. To advance such knowledge nationwide, SARE administers a competitive grants program through four regions -- North Central, Northeast, South and West -- under the direction of councils that include farmers and ranchers along with representatives from universities, government, agribusiness and nonprofit organizations. This unique partnership approach to regional administrative councils reflects SARE's commitment to serve the whole spectrum of the agricultural community. SARE also conducts educational and extension programs in an effort to increase knowledge about—and help farmers and ranchers adopt— sustainable farming practices. A national outreach office promotes effective communication about sustainable agriculture through a variety of printed and electronic information tools.

Lessons Learned:

There is growing interest in profitable alternatives in agriculture, and an increasing need for innovative, practical solutions to issues facing farms, ranches and rural communities across the nation. A participatory research and education grants for crop and livestock production and marketing can enhance farm profits, environmental stewardship, and quality of life in rural communities. Involving farmers and ranchers in participatory research ensures that they – and their neighbors – will use the results. Getting research results and helpful information to farmers about sustainable agriculture in a timely, useful fashion must be a high priority.

Summary:

In 20 years, thousands of local and regional projects to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems have helped farmers and ranchers realize new ways to make money - while protecting the environment and improving quality of life in their communities. SARE projects have brought measurable benefits to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities throughout the United States. For example:

• Nine New England farmers used SARE-funded research on perimeter trap cropping (planting winter squash around field borders to draw damaging beetles away from the main crop) to increase yields of crops like cucumbers and summer squash by 18 percent and reduce insecticide use by 96 percent, earning an extra $11,000 each in 2004.

• A New Mexico farmer used a SARE grant to test a way to warm his greenhouse plants with solar-heated water directed to the planting beds, saving $2,000 in annual heating costs and improving yields 30-40 percent. (See www.sare.org/highlights for more examples.)

Further, surveys of farmers, extension educators, and researchers help quantify that SARE is achieving results on the ground. Of farmers and ranchers who received Western SARE producer grants, two-thirds or more reported their SARE project helped them achieve higher sales, improved soil quality, and increased wildlife habitat.