AGRICULTURE PROJECTS FUNDED IN
CONNECTICUT
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
CONNECTICUT
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
Connecticut has been awarded $5,622,968 grants to support 106 projects, including but not limited to, 18 research and/or education projects, 3 professional development projects and 40 producer-led projects. Connecticut has also received additional SARE support through multi-state projects.
Some grant programs may have been started or ended, or both, within the selected date range. Complete information may not be available for all grant programs prior to 2016.
| RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| LNE25-488 | Educating Farmers on Accurate Fertility Testing and Management in Urban and Small Scale High Organic Matter Systems | $260,035 | Dr.Mia Maltz University of Connecticut | |
| LNE23-469 | A Three-Pronged Strategy to Equitably Provide Planting Stock to Forest Farmers: Propagation Training, Seed Exchange, and Working with Wild Harvesters | $246,505 | Marlyse Duguid Yale School of the Environment | |
| LNE21-423 | The Northeast Forest Farmers Coalition: Building a Community of Practice | $249,193 | Marlyse Duguid Yale School of the Environment | |
| LNE18-363 | Improved N Management for Corn using Aerial Images, Adapt-N, Chemical and Biological Tests, and Cover Crops | $241,570 | Dr.Karl Guillard University of Connecticut | |
| LNE13-324 | Developing adaptable native shrubs for the green industry | $58,347 | Dr.Jessica Lubell-Brand University of Connecticut | |
| LNE09-279 | Development and on-farm training of biologically based methods for integrated crop management of stone fruits in New England | $195,498 | Dr.Robert Marra Connecticut Agricultural Lorraine Los University of Connecticut | |
| LNE09-281 | Aronia berries: A sustainable nutraceutical crop for the Northeast | $151,821 | Dr.Mark Brand University of Connecticut | |
| LNE03-177 | Perimeter trap crop approach to pest management on vegetable farms | $139,527 | Ruth Hazzarad University of Massachusetts Jude Boucher UNiversity of Connecticut Cooperative Extension | |
| LNE01-143 | Farmer-Run Research Organization for Southern New England | $167,660 | Thomas Morris University of Connecticut | |
| LNE01-144 | Survey of the Nutrient Status of Organic Vegetable Farms | $35,397 | Thomas Morris University of Connecticut | |
| LNE00-137 | Benefits - Drawbacks of Various Winter Cover Crops in Vegetable Pest Management | $89,202 | Kimberly Stoner Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| LNE98-106 | Biological Control for Soil-Dwelling Insects - Diseases in Strawberries | $147,557 | Richard Cowles Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| LNE97-082 | Biological and Cultural Methods of Insect Management in Vegetables: Survey and Case Studies of Organic Farms and Evaluation of the Scientific Literature | $20,000 | Kimberly Stoner Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| LNE97-083 | Nitrogen Management for Pumpkins and Squash | $40,000 | Richard A. Ashley University of Connecticut | |
| LNE96-065 | Farm to School Food Education Project | $33,319 | Elizabeth Wheeler The Hartford Food System | |
| LNE96-068 | New Connections in the Northeast Food System | $13,000 | Mark Winne Hartford Food System | |
| ANE95-028 | Integration of Biological and Chemical Control of Twospotted Spider Mites in Containerized Nursery Production | $35,246 | Timothy Abbey Univ. of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System Richard Cowles Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| LNE94-049 | Project Farm Fresh Start: A Farm-to-School Feasibility Study | $30,000 | Mark Winne Hartford Food System | |
| RESEARCH ONLY GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| LNE25-497R | Expanding Guidance for Site Selection for Forest Farming Crops in New England | $197,894 | Marlyse Duguid Yale School of the Environment | |
| LNE23-477R | Hemp hurd fiber: a sustainable substitute for sphagnum peat moss in greenhouse and nursery plant production | $161,414 | Dr.Jessica Lubell-Brand University of Connecticut | |
| LNE23-482R | Operationalizing Drone Imaging Technology to Detect Nutrient Deficiencies in Fruit Orchards | $200,000 | Dr.Chandi Witharana University of Connecticut | |
| LNE21-432R | Nutritional Management Strategies for Improving Growth and Carcass Composition of Beef-Dairy Crossbred Calves | $200,000 | Dr.Sarah Reed University of Connecticut | |
| LNE21-430R | Reducing Farmer Risk through the Use of Triploid Hemp Genetics | $101,168 | Dr.Jessica Lubell-Brand University of Connecticut | |
| LNE21-425R | In-ovo and Early Probiotic Supplementation to Control Salmonella in Broilers | $150,000 | Mary Anne Amalaradjou University of Connecticut | |
| LNE20-412R | Enhancing the Safety of Eggs and Fresh Produce by Novel Ultra-fine Bubble Technology | $148,874 | Dr.Abhinav Upadhyay University of Connecticut | |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ENE10-116 | Professional development for agricultural service providers in applied poultry science | $134,501 | Dr.Richard Brzozowski University of Maine Cooperative Extension | |
| ENE99-048 | Alternative - Herbal Livestock Health Practices | $86,994 | Thomas Morris University of Connecticut | |
| ENE98-042 | Feeding Our Cities: Establishing a Strong Urban/Sustainable Agriculture Interface in Southern New England | $6,500 | Michael T. Keilty University of Connecticut Extension | |
| FARMER/RANCHER GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| FNE25-117 | Investigation of the Importance of Hand-Pollination and Root Inoculation for Strawberry Production in Simplified Hydroponics | $28,867 | Nathaniel Heiden Levo International, Inc. | |
| FNE25-111 | Utilization of Waste Sugar Kelp Crops as a Soil Amendment for Land Farms and Gardens | $28,507 | Suzie Flores Stonington Kelp Co LLC | |
| FNE25-136 | Nano Bubble Technology Applications for Controlled Environment Agricultural Irrigation Systems. | $26,221 | Michael Wrobel Environmental Designs, Inc. DBA Winterberry Gardens | |
| FNE24-099 | Flail Mowing as a Viable No-till Method of Transitioning from Overwintered Cover Crops to Summer Planted Cucurbits | $7,500 | Janna Siller Adamah | |
| FNE24-085 | Nutrient Replacement Strategies for Hydroponics | $29,084 | William Heiden Levo International, Inc. Nathaniel Heiden Levo International, Inc. | |
| FNE23-046 | The Ask Aunt Nellie Project - A Crowd-Sourced Connecticut Farm Management Knowledge Base | $15,797 | Diane Dorfer Cobblestone Farm | |
| FNE23-066 | Identifying and Selecting Wild Yeast Strains in Hard Cider | $29,104 | Jeff Rogers Rogers Orchards | |
| FNE22-005 | Germination Testing to Improve the Quality of Ecotypic Native Seed in the Northeast | $29,299 | Dina Brewster The Hickories, LLC | |
| FNE21-996 | Using Shade Cloth to Prevent Heat Damage in Summer Broccoli | $10,320 | Andrew Urbanowicz Urbanowicz Farm | |
| FNE19-925 | Honey Plant Intercropping on Christmas Tree Farms | $10,032 | Richard Cowles Humming Grove Farm | |
| FNE19-939 | Tree Regeneration and Establishment Strategies in Silvopasture and Sugarbush Systems | $13,450 | Dr.Joseph Orefice Hidden Blossom Farm | |
| FNE19-944 | Winter Triticale and Red Clover Double Cropping Field Trials for a Three-Year Production Cycle | $14,824 | Craig Stearns Mountain Dairy | |
| FNE17-869 | Establishing propagation protocols and assessing weed risk of litchi tomato, Solanum sisymbriifolium | $5,459 | Diane Dorfer Cobblestone Farm | |
| FNE17-883 | Comparison of indigenous microorganism and commercial soil inoculant on crop yields and basil downy mildew disease resistance | $15,000 | Melody Wright Pleasant Valley Botanicals | |
| FNE13-783 | Enhancing growth rate and well-being of pigs raised on pasture through the use of mobile evaporative cooling while improving pasture fertility and reducing environmental degradation | $11,033 | Peter Lowy Pete and Jens Backyard Birds | |
| FNE12-736 | Conservation tillage for organic cabbage: Yield, weed growth, and management costs | $4,561 | Janna Berger Adamah/Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center Arthur Schwab Adamah / Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center | |
| FNE11-709 | Evaluation of the insect resistance of interspecific squash hybrids | $4,022 | Bryan Connolly Green Dragon Farm | |
| FNE07-604 | Determining cost-effectiveness of raising slow growing genotype broilers in three alternative housing systems | $7,861 | Julie Cronin | |
| FNE07-605 | Small farm air chill system | $6,912 | Craig Floyd Footsteps Farm, LLC | |
| FNE06-569 | Breeding colorful disease- and pest-tolerant potatoes | $3,225 | Bryan Connolly Green Dragon Farm | |
| FNE04-515 | Horticultural Weed Barrier Mats From Dairy Manure - Phase 2 | $10,000 | Matthew Freund Freunds' Farm, Inc. | |
| FNE03-454 | Remote Sensing for Nitrogen Management in Corn | $6,298 | Randolph Blackmer | |
| FNE03-457 | Tolerance Variation to Mexican Bean Beetles of Common Bean Cultivars | $1,974 | Bryan Connolly Green Dragon Farm | |
| FNE03-465 | Litchfield County Farmers Livestock Market | $4,137 | Christos Glynos Bethlehem Boer Goat Ranch | |
| FNE02-412 | Horticultural Weed Barrier Mats From Dairy Manure | $8,800 | Matthew Freund Freunds' Farm, Inc. | |
| FNE02-437 | Increasing Small Farm Profits with American Chestnut Production and Silvopasture | $4,766 | Elisa Santee Foxfire Farm | |
| FNE01-373 | Compost Planting Pots | $7,500 | Matthew Freund Freunds' Farm, Inc. | |
| FNE00-294 | Fava beans and kale as potential spring nurseries for insect natural enemies to move into the greenhouse. | $5,382 | Kathryn Caruso | |
| FNE00-315 | Timing of Brassica planting to reduce flea beetle damage. | $4,697 | Brian O'Hara | |
| FNE99-236 | Demonstration of the Effectiveness of Pediobius for Control of Mexican Bean Beetle and Squash Beetle | $2,480 | Kathryn Caruso | |
| FNE99-243 | Compost Planting Pots | $700 | Matthew Freund Freunds' Farm, Inc. | |
| FNE99-272 | "Clean Green Machine" A Hydroponic System | $4,520 | David S. Roberts | |
| FNE98-203 | Squash Vine Borer and Cotton Row Covers | $1,540 | Brian O'Hara | |
| FNE98-208 | Sheep Farmstead Cheesemaking in Connecticut | $3,050 | Suzanne Sankow Beaverbrook Farm | |
| FNE97-162 | Biological Insect Control of Herbaceous Perennials | $600 | Michael Berecz | |
| FNE96-129 | Pedal-Powered Tillage for a Small Community-Supported Farm (CSA) | $2,400 | Megan Haney Mad Mares Farm | |
| FNE96-154 | Growing Potatoes Organically 3 Different Ways | $1,670 | Johan van Acterberg Hidden Meadow Farm | |
| FNE96-159 | Certified Organic Associated Growers (COAG) | $2,670 | Tony Norris | |
| FNE95-088 | Canaan Valley Agricultural Cooperative Waste Management Program | $4,350 | Peter Jacquier Laurel Brook Farm | |
| FNE94-048 | Innovative Uses of Leaf Compost for the Modern Farmer/Grower | $5,000 | William Gnaizdoski d.b.a. Echo Farms | |
| FARMING COMMUNITY GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| CNE25-008 | CT Hemp School for a New Regenerative Economy | $248,437 | Hector Gerardo SEAmarron Farmstead LLC | |
| GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| GNE24-329 | Application of probiotics to improve the microbial safety of tomatoes. | $15,000 | Mary Anne Amalaradjou University of Connecticut Yuying Ren University of Connecticut | |
| GNE24-320 | The Role of Cover Crop Species and Residue Management on Forage Quality, Subsequent Crop Biomass, and Soil Microorganisms | $14,884 | Dr.haiying tao University of Connecticut Nora Doonan University of Connecticut | |
| GNE22-281 | Farmer Engagement with Regenerative Agriculture in New England: Understanding Challenges and Facilitators to Improve Services and Outreach | $13,913 | Brian Gareau Boston College Sandra DiDonato Boston College | |
| GNE22-297 | Controlling Salmonella on eggs using probiotics and postbiotics. | $15,000 | Mary Anne Amalaradjou University of Connecticut Ragini Reddyvari University of Connecticut | |
| GNE19-213 | Use of Lactic Acid Bacteria to Control L. monocytogenes on Apples under Simulated Commercial Conditions | $15,000 | Mary Anne Amalaradjou University of Connecticut Mairui Gao University of Connecticut | |
| GNE19-221 | Importance of Environmental Factors on Plantings of Wild-Simulated American Ginseng | $15,000 | Marlyse Duguid Yale School of the Environment Karam Sheban Yale School of the Environment | |
| GNE17-146 | Maximizing the health and size of on-site native pollinator populations for crops requiring sonication pollination | $14,973 | Dr.Julia Kuzovkina University of Connecticut John Campanelli University of Connecticut | |
| GNE16-128 | Early (in-ovo) administration of probiotics to promote growth in broiler chicken | $14,999 | Mary Anne Amalaradjou University of Connecticut Michael Darre University of Connecticut Muhammed Shafeekh Muyyarikkandy University of Connecticut | |
| GNE15-113 | Natural and eco-friendly approaches to control aflatoxins in poultry feed | $14,393 | Michael Darre University of Connecticut Dr.Kumar Venkitanarayanan University of Connecticut Hsinbai Yin University of Connecticut | |
| GNE14-083 | Anaerobically digested dairy as a renewable substitution for peat in media for nursery production | $14,856 | Dr.George Elliott UCONN John Lamont Frog Belly Farm | |
| GNE11-020 | Organic fertilization for greenhouses | $12,556 | Dr.George Elliott UCONN Kristin Hulshart University of Connecticut | |
| GNE10-010 | Prevalence of Clostridium difficle (C. diff) in Connecticut Swine farms | $12,520 | Dr.Robert Heimer Yale University School of Public Health Dr.Lynda Osadebe Yale University | |
| ON FARM RESEARCH/PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ONE24-465 | Understanding State Climate Disaster Relief in New England | $30,000 | Alissa White American Farmland Trust | |
| ONE24-450 | CitySeed: Increasing Farmers Market Sales Through Pilot Consumer Education Campaign | $29,999 | Ashley Kremser CitySeed | |
| ONE22-415 | Investigating Poor Growth of Hard Clams in New Jersey | $28,713 | Dr.Sylvain Deguise, DMV, PhD Connecticut Sea Grant, University of Connecticut | |
| ONE22-412 | Pairing Residues, Resistance Genes and Microbial Community Structure to Understand Off-Farm Impact of Antibiotic Use on Dairy Farms | $29,057 | Dr.Christine Georgakakos SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | |
| ONE22-431 | Monitor Streptomycin Resistance in Erwinia Amylovora Populations in New England | $30,000 | Quan Zeng Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| ONE21-399 | Assessment of a Composite Herbal Feed Additive on Reducing Haemonchus contortus in a Dual Purpose Sheep Operation | $14,319 | Dr.Erin Masur, DVM Fork You Farms, LLC | |
| ONE20-368 | Incorporating Online Ordering Systems to Increase Farmer Sales at Farmers' Markets and Beyond | $15,698 | Ashley Kremser CitySeed | |
| ONE16-265 | Boosting farmer sales through culinary events and marketing | $14,992 | Ashley Kremser CitySeed | |
| ONE16-279c | Farmer-led cover crop trials and demonstrations for vegetable and corn silage fields | $22,465 | Jim Hyde USDA NRCS | |
| ONE13-179 | Investigating forage radish and compost as a means of alleviating soil compaction in established bramble and blueberry fields | $14,958 | Mary Concklin University of Connecticut | |
| ONE12-152 | Management of basil downy mildew using organic fungicides and nitrogen fertilization rate | $6,705 | Joan Allen Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator in Residence | |
| ONE11-132 | Evaluation of Organic Control Products for Basil Downy Mildew | $4,705 | Joan Allen Assistant Cooperative Extension Educator in Residence | |
| ONE08-080 | Hastening Adoption of Zone-Tillage on CT/ New England Vegetable Farms | $9,902 | Jude Boucher UNiversity of Connecticut Cooperative Extension | |
| ONE06-064 | Increasing biological control of brassica pests through overwintering | $9,903 | Kimberly Stoner Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| ONE03-011 | Simple methods to stack manure and make compost without nutrient loss | $10,000 | Tom Morris University of Connecticut | |
| SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY INNOVATION GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| CNE10-073 | Farmland ConneCTions Guide | $14,978 | Greg Plotkin American Farmland Trust Ben Bowell American Farmland Trust | |
| CNE10-079 | Granby Sampler | $14,942 | Michelle Niedermeyer Granby Agriculture Commission | |
| CNE09-064 | Southern Litchfield County's first regional locally-grown produce distribution facility | $11,214 | Vincent Nolan, Jr. Town of New Milford | |
| CNE07-018 | Engaging and growing community through a community supported market | $9,986 | Nicole Berube CitySeed, Inc | |
| CNE07-029 | Creating sustainable food purchasing guidelines in the Northeast | $9,831 | Joshua Viertel Yale Sustainable Food Project | |
| CNE06-015 | Planning for community farms across Connecticut | $9,953 | Kimberly Stoner Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| PDP STATE PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| The following are non-competitive awards that fund the activities of the SARE state coordinator(s) within each state. | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| SNE23-001-CT | Pasture Based Systems for Sustainable Livestock Production | $264,997 | Rachel Bespuda University of Connecticut | |
| SNE20-001-CT | Improving Pasture Management for Sustainable Livestock Production | $225,330 | Joseph Bonelli University of Connecticut Rachel Bespuda University of Connecticut Jean King University of Connecticut | |
| NECT17-001 | Nutrition's Role in Sustainable Livestock Production Practices | $225,330 | Joseph Bonelli University of Connecticut | |
| NECT14-001 | CT, MA, RI Tri-State Project: Health Care Practices for Our Food Animals | $218,626 | Joseph Bonelli University of Connecticut | |
For further information on projects, contact 802-651-8335 or nesare@uvm.edu.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).