Mar 17, 2021

2021 On-Farm Research Grants announced by Southern SARE

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program has announced the funded projects for the 2021 On-Farm Grant Program.

Southern SARE has long supported farmers in their efforts to develop new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices. On-Farm Research Grants provide opportunities for agriculture professionals working directly with farmers and ranchers. These grants focus on sustainable agriculture practices and techniques that address a particular on-farm issue.

In 2021, the SSARE Administrative council funded 10 projects totaling $197,888.

OS21-140 Introducing beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control and enhanced plant resistance to improve pest management in cucurbit crops, Texas A&M University, $20,000, Anjel Helms, [email protected]

OS21-141 On-farm trials to evaluate new tomato breeding lines with verticillium wilt race 2 tolerance, North Carolina State University, $20,000, Reza Shekasteband, [email protected]

OS21-142 Bridging the Fall forage gap with stockpiled limpograss along the Southern Gulf Coast, University of Florida – NFREC, $19,981, Jose Dubeux Jr., [email protected]

OS21-143 Tapping new forest farming opportunities in Central Appalachia through Black Walnut syrup production, Virginia Tech, $19,546, A. L. Hammett , [email protected]

OS21-144 Cluster protection shelter to reduce fungicide usage in conventional and organic vineyards, Virginia Tech, Mizuho Nita, [email protected]

OS21-145 Southern pea (Vigna unguiculata) production under conservation tillage systems in North Carolina, University of Mt. Olive, $18,730, Kim Tungate, [email protected]

OS21-146 Evaluating sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) varieties for production in Florida, $19,708, Norma Samuel, [email protected]

OS21-147 Development of a Push-Pull System in Avocado Groves in South Florida, University of Florida, $19,923, Xavier Martini, [email protected]

OS21-148 Plant sap analysis as a tool to optimize fertilizer application for sustainable citrus production, University of Florida IFAS Indian River REC, $20,000, Rhuanito Ferrarezi, [email protected]

OS21-149 Predicting Corn N response using Alkaline Mineralizable-Nitrogen and Haney Soil Health Tool-Nitrogen in TN, University of Tennessee, $20,000, Nutifafa Adotey, [email protected]

Southern SARE is a USDA-funded program that provides funding opportunities for researchers, farmers, Cooperative Extension, NGOs, government agency personnel, and other ag professionals to conduct research in sustainable agriculture.

Authorized in the 1985 Farm Bill, the mission of the SARE program is to promote sustainable agriculture practices throughout American agriculture that are profitable for the farmer, protect the environment, and promote community quality of life over the long term.

For more information on Southern SARE, visit here.

– Ian Bennett, Southern SARE