2026 Southern SARE Model State Program

Commodities

Practices

Florida activities for 2026-2027 will build upon the basic framework for the model state program. Planned activities include integrating results of SARE funded research and Extension activities, and other relevant research, and using this information to drive educational programs. We also plan to continue to strengthen our focus on targeted training for state and county Extension faculty, representatives of non-profit organizations, representatives of state and federal government agencies, and farmer representatives. To fulfill the priorities and objectives of our program, our training funds will be used to address programs in five subject matter areas: (1) New and emerging solutions for Florida agricultural production, (2) advancing Extension capacity in sustainable agriculture, (3) entrepreneurial innovation in sustainable agriculture and (4) quality of life for farmers and ranchers. Our expected outcomes are: (1) Extension faculty will participate in regional and national training programs in sustainable agriculture and apply the lessons learned in their own programming, (2) At least two of the statewide Extension priority teams will include information and resources about sustainable agriculture and SARE in their professional development training programs and Extension programming, (4) Extension agents and farmers will identify opportunities for the development, outreach, and research of alternative crops and enterprises, (5) regional and local county agents will develop new collaborations with organizations, agencies, and groups working in sustainable agriculture, and (6) Extension faculty and agents will make increased use of resources to support programming in sustainable agriculture.

The current year outreach objectives are to:

1. Strengthen the capacity of Extension and agricultural professionals by providing high‑quality training on sustainable agriculture practices.
2. Increase statewide awareness and utilization of SARE programs by expanding outreach efforts, distributing educational materials, and promoting grant opportunities to farmers, educators, and community partners.
3. Support the adoption of environmentally sound and economically sustainable farming practices through workshops, field demonstrations, and train‑the‑trainer events tailored to Florida's diverse agricultural systems.
4. Enhance collaboration among land‑grant universities, NRCS, nonprofits, and producer networks to ensure coordinated, locally relevant professional development that reflects Florida's agricultural priorities.
5. Facilitate access to research‑based sustainable agriculture information by developing and sharing educational resources that help producers improve soil health, conserve natural resources, and strengthen farm resilience.