SARE application submitted –
Yesterday evening December first, I submitted my Farmer/Rancher SARE application for establishing a blueprint for specialty farmers wishing to develop a seedless grape vineyard in a high tunnel in the central US. The application now goes to a panel of farmers that will evaluate my plan for innovative ideas that will help farmers, and the plan itself for appropriateness and completeness. After that, my plan is forwarded to another committee of SARE people for a review of the first committee’s decision. And, new this year, a third committee of USDA personnel will do a final review of my project.
The process –
These reviews are planned for completion in February 2026 and awarding of grants are announced when awards are decided upon. After I accept the award, half of the budget for the grant is issued, up to $7500, to start the project. Then it is up to me to do the project as proposed. After the first year, I have to submit a report to SARE regarding the project, and, after that, forty percent of the budget, up to $6000, is issued. Again, I am required to submit a report at the end of the second year. Only after completion of the project and reports is the final ten percent of the grant issued, up to $1500. Of note: this money is considered income for IRS purposes, so tax planning needs to be taken into account.
Outreach –
One of the requirements of a Farmer/Rancher SARE grant is outreach. It is intended that the results of a grant project be shared with farmers/ranchers to educate them, and other interested parties. This requirement is the payback for the funding issued by the USDA. My primary outreach will be at the Great Plains Growers Conference in St. Joseph, Missouri. You can find out more about the Great Plains Growers Conference here: https://www.greatplainsgrowersconference.org/. My other outreaches include this website and I intend to provide presentations at colleges in my area.
Are you interested in a SARE grant? –
It is a bit late for you to start a SARE grant for this year. But, if you have a desire to investigate an innovative project, I believe these grants will be available in future years. You can find more information about SARE grants here: https://www.sare.org/grants/.