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. SARE is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service and is managed in partnership with regional land-grant hosts. SARE funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems. WVSU has participated in SARE since the fall of 2001.
As defined by Congress, sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term satisfy human food and fiber needs, enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends, make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources, and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls, sustain the economic viability of farm operations, and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole. Sustainable agriculture practices address pest management, cultural practices, soil fertility, adding value, and farm profitability. SARE actively supports training and research in farming and marketing techniques that speak to the long-term viability of agriculture by supporting research and education that helps build the future economic viability of agriculture in the United States. At WVSU SARE funding has been utilized to study sustainable agriculture and provide training opportunities for local agriculture producers.
For more information contact the WVSU SARE Coordinator at 304-204-4021 or 1-866-WV-STATE, the Northeast SARE program, or the National SARE program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture supports three major programs, which offer sustainable agriculture information and assistance. Contact information and a description of each program are provided at http://www.sare.org/coreinfo/troika.htm.
