Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant

This grant program involves agricultural producers (main applicants) and technical advisor(s) implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture. With the support and guidance of the technical advisor, producers must integrate research and education to conduct on-site/on-farm experiments to improve production, marketing, and the environment. It is expected that outcomes of funded projects will result in quantifiable benefits for producers, increase the preservation of the natural and social resources upon which agriculture relies, and be shared with other producers.

Applications are closed; Western SARE says the program opens in 2027. 

Mini Grants for Conferences

Funding is now available for Farmer/Rancher's to attend conferences! Mini grants will now be available for current and recent Farmer/Rancher Principal Investigators (PIs) interested in attending conferences to present on the outcomes of their Western SARE-funded project and promote the Farmer/Rancher grant program. These Mini Grants will cover travel, lodging, registration, and presenter fees for eligible PIs to present on the outcomes of their Western SARE-funded project and promote the Farmer/Rancher grant program. Read the RFA, learn more, and apply! (This application is separate from the main grant application) Questions about the mini grant for conferences can go to the Western SARE Farmer/Rancher program inbox.

• Producers must be involved from inception to finish in the planning, design, implementation and educational outreach of any funded project.

• The project team must have at least two people: a producer who is the Principal Investigator and applicant, and an independent Technical Advisor (the agricultural professional). The Technical Advisor should not submit the application on behalf of the producer.

• The Technical Advisor may not be a family member.

• A person qualifies as a producer (farmer/rancher) if they have a for-profit operation and meet the call's criteria. Farmer/rancher organizations such as cooperatives may also apply.

Producers may apply for up to $35,000. In the archived 2027 call, funding was paid as a fixed-price contract via a Subaward Service Agreement, with 40% of the award paid upon execution of the Agreement. The remainder is paid in fixed increments after submission and approval of progress reports and/or a final report. Farmer/Rancher grants can be funded for up to three years. Matching funds are not required or requested.

Multiple submissions are accepted. Only one application (from any one individual applicant) can be awarded funding in any of the Western SARE competitive programs in one grant budget cycle.

Applications are closed; Western SARE says the program opens in 2027. The most recent proposals were due October 28, 2026, at noon MDT, and required a technical advisor resume and letters of cooperation.

Proposals are submitted online at: projects.sare.org

You must make an account to apply.

• Archived 2027 call for proposals — example only

• Information Page