AGRICULTURE PROJECTS FUNDED IN
MASSACHUSETTS
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
MASSACHUSETTS
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
Massachusetts has been awarded $11,357,948 grants to support 269 projects, including but not limited to, 47 research and/or education projects, 17 professional development projects and 111 producer-led projects. Massachusetts 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 | |
| LNE21-422 | Teaching Generative Apiary Practices for Effective Beekeeping in the Northeast | $124,034 | Angela Roell They Keep Bees (Formerly Yard Birds Farm & Apiary) | |
| LNE20-394 | Useful Benchmarks: Skills, Data, and Peer-to-Peer Learning for Farm Success | $249,485 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| LNE20-402 | Improving Production and Yield of Winter Greens in the Northeast | $84,948 | Susan Scheufele UMass Extension Vegetable Program | |
| LNE20-399 | Season Extension Strategies and Profitability in Dairy and Livestock Operations in New England | $236,718 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| LNE19-376 | Growing the Specialty Mushroom Industry in the Northeast | $98,796 | Willie Crosby Fungi Ally | |
| LNE18-365 | Increasing Grower Adoption of Ecologically-based Pest Management Strategies to Improve Quality and Yield of Brassica Crops | $198,754 | Susan Scheufele UMass Extension Vegetable Program | |
| LNE15-340 | Building resilience and sustainability in dairy forage systems in New England | $194,161 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| LNE12-315 | Towards sustainable disease management in northeastern apples using risk forecasts and cultural controls | $201,078 | Daniel Cooley Stockbridge School of Agriculture | |
| LNE12-316 | Tile drainage in Massachusetts cranberry production: Implementation and best management practices | $205,836 | Dr.Carolyn DeMoranville UMass Amherst Cranberry Station | |
| LNE11-310 | Farm Financing: Measuring Profitability and Success | $79,720 | Benneth Phelps The Carrot Project | |
| LNE10-297 | Expanding winter harvest and sales for New England vegetable crops | $193,557 | Ruth Hazzarad University of Massachusetts | |
| LNE09-284 | Outreach, training, and education for small-scale poultry producers using MPPUs in Massachusetts | $142,072 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| LNE09-285 | Nutrient management on organic vegetable farms: A research and education program for sustainable soil fertility management in southern New England | $148,375 | Dr.Beth Hooker Hampshire College Beth Hooker Mount Holyoke College | |
| LNE08-270 | Northeast Organic Wheat; an extension program for on-farm crop improvement in organic systems and local market partnerships | $162,845 | Eli Rogosa Heritage Grain Conservancy | |
| LNE07-255 | On-farm workstays: Creating safe and lawful on-farm training opportunities in the Northeast | $63,171 | Judith Fuller New England Small Farm Institute | |
| LNE07-257 | Assessing pasture grasses, legumes and pasture blends for varying soil conditions in New England and Pennsylvania | $211,989 | Dr.Stephen Herbert UMass | |
| LNE07-259 | Farms Forever: A partnership approach to increasing farm transfer and succession in southeastern Massachusetts | $122,212 | Bridget Alexander Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership, Inc. Sarah Kelley SE Mass. Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) Jay Coburn Southeastern Massachusett | |
| LNE06-238 | Conserving end-of-season N with effective seeding dates for cover crops based on fall growing degree days | $85,953 | Dr.Stephen Herbert UMass | |
| LNE06-250 | Strengthening farmstead cheese businesses through risk assessment, reduction, monitoring, testing, and technical support | $151,682 | Dr.Lynda Brushett Cooperative Development I | |
| LNE05-217 | Increasing the sustainability of Massachusetts cranberry production through cultural management of the bog habitat | $169,885 | Dr.Carolyn DeMoranville UMass Amherst Cranberry Station | |
| LNE05-220 | Increasing the use of sustainable forestry by farmers who have woodlots | $112,625 | Arthur Eve Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative, LLC | |
| LNE05-223 | New Entry Sustainable Farming Project transitioning farmer program | $133,468 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| LNE05-229 | Implementing a sustainable greenhouse health maintenance program | $83,637 | Tina Smith University of Massachusetts | |
| LNE04-198 | Integrated and Sustainable Wine Grape Production in Southern New England | $100,000 | William Coli University of Massachusetts Extension | |
| LNE04-202 | Achieving High Quality Brassica Crops on Diversified Vegetable Farms | $126,956 | Ruth Hazzarad University of Massachusetts Kimberly Stoner Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| LNE02-157 | Educating Northeast New Farmers about Farm Equipment - Mechanization | $119,491 | Judith Fuller New England Small Farm Institute | |
| LNE02-161 | Nutrient Recycling in Urban Agriculture | $92,230 | Judy Lieberman Brookwood Community Farm | |
| LNE02-163 | Energy - Small Farm Sustainability | $88,548 | Nancy Nylen CET (Center for Ecological Technology) | |
| LNE02-165 | Marketing Ecologically Grown Produce in the Mainstream Marketplace | $150,000 | Michael Rozyne Red Tomato | |
| LNE02-169 | Northeast Organic Farming Association Organic Practices Handbook Series | $33,014 | Jonathan von Ranson | |
| LNE01-142 | Providing Farmers with New Brassica Species - Management Options of Flea Beetles for Expanding Markets in Mass. - Conn. | $135,632 | Frank Mangan University of Massachusetts | |
| LNE00-135 | Toward Sustainability in Northeastern Apple Production: Orchard Ecosystem Architecture, Key Pests, and Cultivar Selection | $134,030 | Daniel Cooley Stockbridge School of Agriculture | |
| LNE00-136 | CSA in the Northeast: Growing the Movement | $49,063 | Kathy Ruhf New England Small Farm Institute | |
| LNE99-118 | Implementing a Biointensive Strategy for Caterpillar Control in Sweet Corn | $68,265 | Ruth Hazzarad University of Massachusetts | |
| LNE99-119 | Training - Supporting the Next Generation of Northeast Sustainable Farmers | $108,449 | Kathy Ruhf New England Small Farm Institute | |
| LNE98-107 | Integrated Management of Cranberry Insect, Weed - Disease Pests Using Fall - Spring Floods | $130,000 | Dr.Carolyn DeMoranville UMass Amherst Cranberry Station | |
| LNE98-112 | Strengthening CSA in the Northeast: Next Steps | $57,733 | Kathryn Ruhf Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group | |
| LNE97-090 | Integrating High-Density Orchards and Biointensive Integrated Pest Management Methods in Northeastern Apple Production | $121,535 | Daniel Cooley Stockbridge School of Agriculture | |
| LNE97-092 | Chinese Medicinal Herbs as Crops for the Northeast | $60,716 | Lyle E. Craker University of Massachusetts | |
| LNE96-076 | Outreach and Training for On-farm Composting | $60,091 | John Majercak Center for Ecological Technology | |
| LNE95-063 | Community Supported Agriculture: Research and Education for Enhanced Viability and Potential in the Northeast | $159,000 | Daniel A. Lass University of Massachusetts | |
| ANE94-021 | Water Management to Minimize Pesticide Inputs in Cranberry Production (LNE94-050) | $96,940 | Dr.Carolyn DeMoranville UMass Amherst Cranberry Station | |
| LNE94-050 | Water Management to Minimize Pesticide Inputs in Cranberry Production (ANE94.21) | $96,940 | Dr.Carolyn DeMoranville UMass Amherst Cranberry Station | |
| LNE92-031 | Demonstrating the Economic and Environmental Advantages of Legume Cover Crops to New England Growers | $100,000 | Dr.Stephen Herbert UMass | |
| LNE91-028 | The Northeastern Farmer-to-Farmer Information Exchange | $48,168 | Margaret Christie NOFA Interstate Council | |
| LNE90-026 | Alternative Strategies for Cranberry Production in the Northeast | $128,458 | Anne Averill University of Massachusetts | |
| LNE88-005 | Cover Crops for New England Vegetable Growers: On-Farm Research, Economic Analysis and Outreach | $170,000 | Ralph DeGregorio New Alchemy Institute | |
| RESEARCH ONLY GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| LNE22-458R | Using Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles for Application of Fertilizers to Cranberry Bogs in Massachusetts | $69,724 | Brian Wick Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association | |
| LNE21-433R | Identifying Critical Criteria to Develop a Decision-making Model for Implementing Late Water Floods in Cranberry Production | $189,340 | Dr.Leela Uppala University of Massachusetts | |
| LNE21-424R | Testing the Potential for Cut Flower Pollen to Improve Bumble Bee Health | $98,539 | Dr.Lynn Adler University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| LNE19-386R | Creative Farm Business Models to Address Employee Hiring, Training, and Management Barriers | $159,988 | Kevin Cody New Entry Sustainable Farming Project Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| LNE19-390R | Reframing the Sustainable Farming Narrative to Help Northeast Farmers Effectively Activate Consumers | $175,412 | Michael Rozyne Red Tomato | |
| LNE19-393R | Farming Tautog as a High Value Fish while Reducing Invasive Crab Populations | $149,179 | Dr.Daniel Ward Ward Aquafarms, LLC | |
| LNE18-370R | Extending the Season: New Frozen Products for a New Market | $199,524 | Amanda Kinchla University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ENE25-194 | Business Advisor Professional Development Through Peer Learning Improves Farm Financials and Resiliency | $147,737 | Benneth Phelps The Carrot Project | |
| ENE23-183 | Service Provider Succession Planning Programs To Address Land Access In The Northeast | $149,554 | Carmen Mouzon The Farm School | |
| ENE22-177 | Designing Multifunctional Buffers to Improve Farm Viability in the Berkshire-Taconic Region of MA, NY, and CT | $71,474 | Ben Crockett Berkshire Agricultural Ventures | |
| ENE20-162 | Farm Mentorship Training and Support Groups for Educators of Aspiring and Beginning Farmers | $158,265 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ENE15-140 | Unifying resistance management education for vegetable and fruit production in the Northeast | $91,512 | Dr.Hilary Sandler UMass Cranberry Station | |
| ENE14-132 | Improving the viability of beginning farm enterprises by strengthening Northeastern farm incubator projects | $163,342 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ENE08-106 | Beginning Farmer Business Training and Education Partnership Project | $135,630 | Judith Fuller New England Small Farm Institute | |
| ENE05-090 | Strengthening Farmers' Markets Through Advanced Business Training and Mentoring | $62,600 | Dr.Lynda Brushett Cooperative Development I | |
| ENE05-092 | Northeast Network of Immigrant Farming Projects | $80,904 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ENE05-093 | Demonstrating effective grass farming practices | $82,720 | Matthew LeRoux New England Livestock Alliance | |
| ENE04-087 | Building Professional Support for Institutional Purchasing - Buy Local Campaign Programs | $124,376 | Kathryn Ruhf Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group | |
| ENE02-065 | Cooperation Works Professional Development Program | $62,600 | Lynn Benander Cooperative Development Institute | |
| ENE02-071 | Leadership Training on Farmland Conservation for New England and New York | $57,513 | Julia Freedgood American Farmland Trust | |
| ENE01-060 | Neighborhood Open Spaces Training | $30,000 | Elizabeth Johnson Boston Natural Areas Network | |
| ENE01-062 | Training Agricultural Professionals to Meet the Needs of Small Farmers - phase II | $112,539 | David Smith Cornell University Kathy Ruhf New England Small Farm Institute | |
| ENE98-039 | Northeast Training - Support Network for Agriculture Development | $132,392 | Kathryn Ruhf Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group | |
| ENE97-034 | CSA - Building a Future for Farming in the Northeast | $25,190 | Elizabeth Keen Community Supported Agriculture of North America (CSANA) | |
| FARMER/RANCHER GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| FNE25-134 | Optimizing the Production of Traditional Chinese Medicine Crops in the Northeastern US | $29,792 | anne wagner Blue Crow Botanicals | |
| FNE25-114 | Understanding Interior Shell Pigmentation in the Northern Quahog to Inform Site-Appropriate Brood Stocks for Aquaculture | $29,973 | Emma Green-Beach Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group | |
| FNE25-110 | Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Bird Deterrent: Trialing Green Scarecrow 3.0 for Sustainable Sweet Corn Production | $30,000 | Ken Elliot Elliot Farm LLC Dee Elliot Elliot Farm LLC Carlton Brule Self-employed Mechanical Engineer | |
| FNE25-125 | Exploring Paper Mulch for Small-Scale No-Till Organic Farming in the Northeast | $10,010 | Dr.Eli Meir Carrot Corner Farm | |
| FNE24-094 | Is Wintering Locally Adapted Queen Bees in Bulk in Climate Controlled Storage a Viable Climate Change Adaptation for Northeast Beekeepers? | $30,000 | Angela Roell They Keep Bees (Formerly Yard Birds Farm & Apiary) | |
| FNE24-079 | Teaching Youth to Cultivate Sustainable Gardens in Low-Income Housing Developments | $29,801 | Rachel French Open Farms Retreat | |
| FNE24-097 | Determining Optimal Tumbling Schedule to Shape Petite Oysters in Highly Productive Waters and Access New Markets | $29,865 | Noah Scheffer Little Minnow Oyster Company | |
| FNE24-077 | Forest Mushroom Production On Ready-to-Fruit Blocks | $29,288 | Willie Crosby Fungi Ally | |
| FNE24-078 | Harmony in the Soil: Uncovering Principles for the Design of Self-Sustaining Beneficial Agricultural Ecosystems | $29,727 | Tim Smith We Grow Microgreens, LLC | |
| FNE23-058 | Maximizing Bay Scallop Seed Performance in Bottom Cage and Suspended Net Culture for Subtidal Aquaculture Farms | $27,202 | Dan Martino Martino's Seafood, LLC | |
| FNE23-047 | Farmer to Farmer Agroforestry Guidebook for the Northeast | $30,000 | Jono Neiger Regenerative Design Group/Big River Chestnuts | |
| FNE23-061 | Wintering Honey Bee Colonies With & Without Upper Entrances:Comparing Internal Temperature, Humidity, Food Consumption, Spring Cluster Size & Survival | $7,035 | Amy Musante Musante Farm | |
| FNE22-009 | Establishment and Evaluation of Founder Plots for Native Seed Production | $29,854 | Alexis Doshas Native Plant Trust | |
| FNE22-019 | Gracilaria Seaweed Aquaculture Farm Grow-out, Harvest and Marketing | $27,290 | Dan Martino Martino's Seafood, LLC | |
| FNE22-018 | The Oysterbot: Developing a Ropeless Bottom Cage Retrieval System for Nearshore Oyster Farms | $22,996 | Dr.DALE LEAVITT Blue Stream Shellfish LLC | |
| FNE22-025 | Transferred Mulch System for Organic Reduced Tillage Vegetable Production | $29,587 | Jeremy Barker Plotkin Simple Gifts Farm | |
| FNE22-022 | Farm and Conservation Land for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Self Determination and Sovereignty in Rural Massachusetts | $29,975 | Carmen Mouzon The Farm School | |
| FNE21-997 | Using Plant Sap Analysis to Develop an Optimal Nutrient Profile for Lowbush Blueberries | $14,985 | Meredith Wecker The Benson Place | |
| FNE21-994 | Cardboard Chips as a Farm Input | $14,484 | Ronald Smolowitz Coonamessett Farm | |
| FNE21-989 | Managing and Monitoring Bottom Cage Placement in Deep Water Oyster Culture | $13,570 | Dr.DALE LEAVITT Blue Stream Shellfish LLC | |
| FNE20-959 | Protecting European Grape Vines from Cold Weather Damage in New England | $13,698 | ian modestow Black Birch Vineyard | |
| FNE19-916 | Evaluation of Electrolyzed Water as a Low-Cost, Organic Method to Reduce Contamination in Indoor Production of Gourmet Mushrooms | $15,000 | Elizabeth Almeida Fat Moon LLC | |
| FNE19-926 | The Impact of Mushroom Extracts on Honey Bee Health | $15,000 | Willie Crosby Fungi Ally | |
| FNE19-929 | Bringing Local Back to Kosher: Continuing Pioneering Research to Create a Commercial Processing Facility | $15,000 | Robert Friedman Robariah Farms | |
| FNE19-934 | Determining Growth Potential of the Eastern Oyster by Volumetric Comparison Utilizing Soda Bottle Upwellers | $14,294 | Cheryl James Aquacultural Research Corporation | |
| FNE18-890 | Developing Commercial Cordyceps Production | $14,996 | Willie Crosby Fungi Ally | |
| FNE18-893 | Laser Scarecrow Prototype | $14,973 | Ken Elliot Elliot Farm LLC | |
| FNE18-902 | Adaptation of No-Till Transplanting as an Innovative Method to Improve Cranberry Farm Sustainability | $14,903 | Jeffrey LaFleur Mayflower Cranberries, LLC | |
| FNE18-904 | Determining Proper Feeder Space Requirements for Pasture-Raised Laying Hens and Broilers | $9,566 | Peter Lowy Codman Community Farms | |
| FNE18-912 | Effectiveness of Mixed Perennial Groundcovers in Establishing Hazelnut Hedgerow Systems in the Northeast | $15,000 | Seva Water Nutwood Farm | |
| FNE18-913 | System Modifications and Varieties for Extending the Organic Strawberry Plasticulture Ripening Season in MA | $12,303 | Ryan Voiland Red Fire Farm | |
| FNE17-866 | Combining insecticide bait with visual traps for apple maggot control | $8,509 | Dana Clark Clark Brothers Orchard | |
| FNE16-847 | Improving yields of shiitake cultivation in the Northeast by selecting appropriate strains | $14,976 | Willie Crosby Fungi Ally | |
| FNE16-852 | Effective use of alfalfa as a trap crop for potato leafhoppers in hops | $14,535 | Nathan L'Etoile Four Star Farms, Inc. | |
| FNE16-859 | Pigs on pasture: An assessment of pasture health, pork quality, and ecosystem rebound after rotational grazing | $14,752 | Pete Solis Hampshire College | |
| FNE16-861 | Expanding sustainable shellfish aquaculture: Optimizing growth and survival in a bay scallop nursery system | $14,940 | Dr.Daniel Ward Ward Aquafarms, LLC | |
| FNE15-818 | A performance comparison of three honeybee nucleus colony configurations in Massachusetts | $14,987 | Daniel Berry Invisible Cities Apiary | |
| FNE15-825 | Alternative growing practices for oyster mushroom cultivation in the Northeast | $14,095 | Willie Crosby Fungi Ally | |
| FNE15-827 | Bringing local back to kosher: A new pathway for sustainable poultry processing | $13,475 | Robert Friedman Robariah Farms | |
| FNE15-835 | Evaluating Malting Barley Production in New England Using a Winterkill Cover Crop Cocktail Combined With Flame Weeding and No Till Planting | $14,936 | Matthew Zarif Carter & Stevens Farm | |
| FNE14-792 | A comparison of traditional nitrogen and nutrient-dense fertilization regimes in organic potato production | $12,058 | Jeremy Barker Plotkin Simple Gifts Farm | |
| FNE14-795 | Cultivation of gourmet mushrooms using brewer's spent grain | $14,997 | Mycoterra Farm Mycoterra Farm | |
| FNE14-805 | Evaluating the efficacy of multiple foliar sprays for soil health, pasture quality, and cow productivity | $14,913 | Suzanna Konecky Cricket Creek Farm | |
| FNE13-772 | Breeding program for novel disease-resistant cider apple cultivars | $8,060 | Jonathan Carr Carr's Ciderhouse | |
| FNE13-778 | Martha's Vineyard fibershed project | $6,987 | Rebecca Gilbert Native Earth Teaching Farm Elizabeth Toomey | |
| FNE13-790 | Sugar kelp and triploid oyster production to promote sustainable integrated multitrophic aquaculture | $14,970 | Dr.Daniel Ward Ward Aquafarms, LLC | |
| FNE12-748 | Evaluation of inexpensive wireless sensor networks for managing small vegetable farms | $14,951 | Larry Manire Databasics Dan Kaplan Brookfield Farm | |
| FNE12-750 | Ivermectin residue in vegetable plants and compost | $8,976 | Amylynn Kemp Alpaca Obsession, LLC | |
| FNE12-751 | Effects of controlled disturbance within early-successional northeastern forest habitat: Evaluating soil quality, plant production, and economic feasibility | $14,976 | Kathleen Kerivan Bug Hill Farm | |
| FNE12-761 | Mas-D-Tec mastitis tool for dairy goats | $9,950 | Elizabeth Mulholland Valley View Farm | |
| FNE12-765 | Wireless greenhouse monitor and alarm | $9,992 | Benjamin Shute Hearty Roots Community Farm | |
| FNE12-766 | Annual artemisia as a high-value crop and for weed control | $7,168 | Dwight Sipler small farm | |
| FNE12-769 | Subtidal oyster aquaculture: Creating safe and efficient production techniques through sustainable innovations | $13,222 | Dr.Daniel Ward Ward Aquafarms, LLC | |
| FNE11-728 | Winter Grazing in the Northeast | $10,322 | Ridge Shinn Out of the Woods Farm | |
| FNE10-677 | Soil and Plant Properties in Cardboard Mulch Prepared No-Till Beds | $6,107 | Rachel Scherer Heritage Fields Farm Richard Baruc Seeds of Solidarity Farm | |
| FNE10-685 | "Turfing" in renovation of cranberry bogs | $12,700 | Jennifer Friedrich The Edible Yard | |
| FNE10-686 | Entrust vs. Pyganic Insecticide in Perimeter and Internal Trap Crops in Organic Winter Squash | $5,207 | Nancy Hanson Hampshire College | |
| FNE09-659 | Perimeter and Internal Trap Cropping in Organic Winter Squash | $4,271 | Nancy Hanson Hampshire College | |
| FNE08-637 | Perimeter and internal trap cropping in organic winter squash | $4,846 | Nancy Hanson Hampshire College | |
| FNE08-642 | Integrating poultry and sheep on vegetable cropping land for increased economic return and enhanced fertility | $7,807 | Peter Lowy Pete and Jens Backyard Birds | |
| FNE07-596 | Greenhouse Ginger Cultivation in the Northeast - Part II | $8,800 | Melissa Bahret Old Friends Farm | |
| FNE06-564 | Greenhouse ginger cultivation in the Northeast | $7,282 | Melissa Bahret Old Friends Farm | |
| FNE06-574 | Winter squash perimeter trap cropping for the organic grower | $5,258 | Nancy Hanson Hampshire College | |
| FNE06-578 | Innovative methods of capturing solar heat for earlier harvests | $6,963 | Paul Lacinski Sidehill Farm | |
| FNE06-585 | Proposal to study the influence of winter hive humidity on honey bee survival in western Massachusetts | $8,455 | Jonathan Parrott | |
| FNE05-542 | Sub-tidal aquaculture of surf clams | $9,365 | John Baldwin Seafood Divers, Inc | |
| FNE05-543 | Control of chalkbrood in honeybees with essential oils | $6,671 | Daniel Conlon Warm Colors Apiary | |
| FNE05-552 | Cover crops for improving soil health in sweet corn | $2,186 | Peter Lowy Pete and Jens Backyard Birds | |
| FNE05-560 | Effects of hive wrapping strategies on honey bee survival in western Massachusetts | $4,500 | Jonathan Parrott | |
| FNE04-506 | Testing Three Methods of Introducing Russian Honeybee Queens into Italian Honeybee Packages | $9,530 | Daniel Conlon Warm Colors Apiary | |
| FNE04-535 | Development of an Intertidal Upweller Nursery for Shellfish Aquaculture | $5,730 | Bethany Walton Sunken Treasures Shellfish Company | |
| FNE03-452 | Selecting Heirloom Tomato Varieties for Disease Resistance | $5,150 | Jeremy Barker-Plotkin | |
| FNE03-463 | Bay Scallop Aquaculture and Market Development | $9,224 | Robert Garrison Wampanoag Aquinnah Shellfish Hatchery | |
| FNE03-474 | Comparative Study of Weed Management Tools in Vegetables and Berries: Old and New | $3,642 | Timothy Laird MA Audubon Society, Inc | |
| FNE03-480 | Evaluation of Liquefied Manure from the Cranberry Bog/Partitioned Aquaculture System Fish Farm Applied as a Fertilizer for Land-Based Crops | $5,500 | Brad Morse DoubleM Cranberry Company, Inc | |
| FNE03-484 | Silvopasture in the Northeast | $6,243 | John O'Meara O'Meara Family Farm | |
| FNE03-490 | Performance Evaluation of Different Strains of Honeybees in the Northeast | $1,845 | M. Spensley Rickert | |
| FNE03-499 | Sheep Pasture Improvement and Planting for Drought Resistance | $2,522 | Richard Tripp | |
| FNE02-418 | High-Density: Container-Grown Raspberry Production | $9,493 | William Hamilton | |
| FNE02-433 | Sustainable Practices for the Field Grown Perennial Cut Flower Grower | $6,630 | Cary Quigley | |
| FNE02-443 | Production of Nutrient Enhanced Compost and Compost Tea Using Vermiculture Technology | $7,905 | Ed Stockman Summit Farm | |
| FNE01-355 | Heirloom Tomato Variety Trials | $2,600 | Jeremy Barker-Plotkin | |
| FNE01-372 | Comparison of Standard Broiler Chicken Breeds on Pasture | $2,750 | Don Franczyk | |
| FNE01-386 | Education About Sustainable Pest Management with Hmong Farmers | $5,100 | Maria Moreira Manny's Dairy Farm | |
| FNE01-387 | Using Hardwood Ramial Woodchips as a Time-Saving Mulch for Weed Control | $3,908 | Michael Pollitt | |
| FNE01-388 | Low-Input Vine Crop Production | $1,915 | M. Spensley Rickert | |
| FNE01-393 | Economic Feasibility of Growing Organic Cherry Tomatoes in High Polytunnels for Direct Market Venues | $1,300 | Ed Stockman Summit Farm | |
| FNE01-399 | Field Testing of Modified New Zealand Oyster Cylinders | $6,400 | Rulon Wilcox | |
| FNE00-292 | Biological control of tomato foliar diseases | $1,320 | Jeremy Barker-Plotkin | |
| FNE00-325 | Multipurpose windbreaks for the protection of vegetable crops and production of fruit and nut crops. | $3,500 | Jeremy Barker-Plotkin | |
| FNE00-347 | Marketing database for ethnic markets. | $5,200 | Shannon Rice | |
| FNE00-350 | Enhancing the growth of lavender. | $3,839 | Denise Schwartz | |
| FNE99-234 | "Green" Greenhouse: An Affordable, Energy Efficient Greenhouse for Cold Climates | $2,511 | Colleen Caffery | |
| FNE99-256 | Growing Cranberry Specific Parasitoids for Application on Organic Cranberry Bogs | $2,675 | Kristine Keese Cranberry Hill Farm | |
| FNE99-280 | A Low-Cost Method of Trapping Out Apple Maggot Flies | $1,062 | Maurice Tougas | |
| FNE98-215 | Testing-Wetness Hour Models to Predict Need for Summer Fungicide in New England | $1,223 | Thomas Clark | |
| FNE97-160 | Echinacea Field Trials | $1,730 | Angela Baker | |
| FNE97-164 | High Tunnel Strawberries for New England | $2,720 | Doug Coldwell | |
| FNE97-174 | Regulation of lateral branching in Genovese Basil (Ocimum basilicum) via application of bacterial spray | $1,152 | George Kellett | |
| FNE97-184 | Using Dogs to Control Bird Depredation of Blueberries | $2,900 | Arthur and Rudolph Valonen | |
| FNE96-131 | High Density Planting for Weed, Disease and Pest Management in Commercial Strawberry Production | $8,381 | Clifford Hatch | |
| FNE96-141 | The Use of Ethylene as a Chemical Pinching Agent on Floricultural Crops | $5,000 | Peter Konjoian | |
| FNE96-153 | Commercializing State-of-the-Art Thermal Aquatic Technology for Orchard Weed, Fungi, and Insect Control | $5,670 | Timothy Smith | |
| FNE95-087 | Organic Weed Management in Commercial Strawberry Production | $6,215 | Clifford Hatch | |
| FNE95-094 | The Use of Ethylene as a Chemical Pinching Agent on Floricultural Crops | $3,750 | Peter Konjoian | |
| FNE95-102 | Development of Woodlands Growing Method for New England Native Wildflowers - Medicinal Plants | $1,850 | Susan Minnich Coles Brook Farm | |
| FNE94-041 | Trough Sub-Irrigation Versus Traditional Overhead Watering | $2,712 | Stacey Chapley | |
| FNE94-049 | Demonstration of Reduced Fungicides for Control of Cranberry Fruit Rot | $1,180 | Clark Griffith | |
| FNE94-070 | Organic "Bag Culture" of Greenhouse Peppers | $5,000 | Miranda Smith | |
| FNE93-003 | Integrated Crop Management for Greenhouse Bedding Plants with Emphasis on Biological Control | $1,199 | Don Ziegler | |
| FNE93-020 | Demonstrating a Sustainable Agricultural System by Using Beneficial Insects | $1,306 | James I. Munger | |
| GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| GNE24-316 | Role of Ants and Other Predators as Pest Control Via Extrafloral Nectary Recruitment in Agroecosystems | $14,714 | Dr.Kaitlyn Mathis Clark University Joe Nelsen Clark University | |
| GNE24-317 | The Roles of Plant Diversity and Site Characteristics at Different Spatial Scales in Determining Arthropod Diversity in Urban Community Gardens | $14,996 | Theresa Ong, PhD Dartmouth College Chenyang Su Dartmouth College | |
| GNE24-307 | Agroforestry for Food Production and Ecological Restoration in the Northeast | $14,798 | Dr.Teresa Mares University of Vermont Michelle Nikfarjam University of Vermont | |
| GNE22-300 | Performance and agronomic management of crabgrass to meet summer forage shortfalls in the Northeast | $14,955 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst Artie Siller University of Massachusetts - Amherst | |
| GNE22-301 | Evaluating decomposition trends and effects of fall planted annual CC on spring soil active carbon in the Northeast | $14,981 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst Alexandra Smychkovich University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| GNE21-256 | Evaluating an attract and kill strategy to manage Tortricid moth pests using plant volatile-based lures and the biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis va | $13,411 | Dr.Jaime Pinero University of Massachusetts Ajay Giri University of Massachusetts | |
| GNE21-264 | Interactive effects of pesticides, drought, and pathogens on the common eastern bumble bee Bombus impatiens. | $15,000 | Dr.Lynn Adler University of Massachusetts Amherst Deicy Munoz Agudelo University of Massachusetts | |
| GNE20-245 | What Makes a Local Food System Resilient? Lessons from Small and Midsize Farms during the COVID-19 Pandemic | $14,654 | Elizabeth Brabec University of Massachusetts Amherst Kristen Whitmore University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| GNE20-238 | Evaluating Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Biological Control of Apple Maggot Fly under Field Conditions | $14,770 | Dr.Jaime Pinero University of Massachusetts Dorna Saadat University of Massachusetts | |
| GNE20-229 | Demonstrating the Importance of Behavior and Feed Delivery on the Growth Performance of Tautog (Tautoga onitis) in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems | $14,537 | Dr.Pinnguo He University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology Michael Coute University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | |
| GNE19-193 | Understanding Agrihoods: An Exploration into the Growing Trend of Farm-to-Table Communities across the United States | $14,932 | Elizabeth Brabec University of Massachusetts Amherst Benjamin Breger University of Massashusetts, Amherst | |
| GNE19-200 | Identifying Mechanisms behind Interacting Stressors on Wild Bees to Inform Pollinator-Friendly Agricultural Landscapes | $14,932 | Dr.Lynn Adler University of Massachusetts Amherst Alison Fowler University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| GNE17-161 | Parasite mitigation strategies in bay scallop aquaculture | $14,575 | Dr.Jennifer Koop University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Harrison Tobi University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | |
| GNE16-114 | Improving basil downy mildew control with cultural and biological methods | $14,999 | Dr.Robert Wick University of Massachusetts Amherst Kelly Allen University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| GNE15-102 | Dual purpose cover crops for grazing season extension, nematode management, and improved resiliency on dairy farms | $15,000 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst Dr.Sam Corcoran University of Massachusetts Extension Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Lab | |
| GNE14-075 | Physiochemical and soil biota response to biochar in agricultural soils | $13,022 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst Dr.Baoshan Xing University of Massachusetts Amherst Emily Cole University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| GNE14-078 | Fava beans: A new multipurpose crop for New England | $14,995 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst Fatemeh Etemadi umass | |
| GNE14-080 | Integrating no-till and forage radish cover crops for sustainable early sweet corn production | $14,955 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst Julie Fine Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst | |
| GNE13-058 | Costs and returns to New England farmers in the farm-to-institution supply chain | $14,745 | Daniel A. Lass University of Massachusetts Dr.Nathalie Lavoie University of Massachusetts, Amherst Dr.Jill Fitzsimmons University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| GNE13-061 | Reducing nitrate contamination of groundwater using cover crop mixtures and tailoring nitrogen fertilizer | $14,943 | Dr.Allen V. Barker University of Massachusetts Dr.Emad Jahanzad Pennsylvania State University | |
| GNE13-066 | Management practices for production of local malting barley in Northeast | $13,967 | Masoud Hashemi University of Massachusetts Amherst Caroline Wise University of Massachusetts, Amherst | |
| GNE12-040 | Developing a sustainable automated spring frost cycling protection method in cranberry production | $14,223 | Dr.Peter Jeranyama UMass Cranberry Station Faith Ndlovu University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| GNE12-048 | Community supported agriculture and the complexities of survival | $15,000 | Dr.Juliet Schor Boston College Robert Wengronowitz Boston College | |
| GNE11-018 | Hand-held Flame Cultivation: Developing a sustainable weed control method in cranberry production | $14,992 | Dr.Hilary Sandler UMass Cranberry Station Katherine Ghantous UMass Cranberry Station | |
| ON FARM RESEARCH/PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ONE24-437 | Learning from Farmers: Farm Transitions and Succession in the Mid-2020s | $29,851 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| ONE24-464 | Increase in larval shellfish survival and expansion of shellfish seed availability through novel feed sources | $29,940 | Dr.Daniel Ward Ward Aquafarms, LLC | |
| ONE24-466 | Arduino For Small Farms | $28,870 | Jan Yoder Woodmetalcanvas | |
| ONE22-422 | Closing the Mushroom Production Loop: Evaluating Soil Microbe Changes Following Field Application of Compost Inoculated with Spent Mushroom Substrate | $24,712 | Christine Manuck NOFA/Mass | |
| ONE22-411 | Tracking Vegetable Yields and Labor in a No-Till Perennial Clover Living Mulch System | $14,880 | Lincoln Fishman Sawyer Farm | |
| ONE21-389 | The Creation of Two Alley Cropping Demonstration Sites as Cases Studies on Massachusetts Farms | $29,496 | Meghan Giroux Interlace Commons | |
| ONE20-378 | Improving Access to Soil Carbon Proxy Testing: Training Educators to Monitor Soil Health | $29,266 | Christine Manuck NOFA/Mass | |
| ONE20-374 | Evaluation of New Hybrid Cranberry Cultivars with Improved Fruit Quality, Yield and Disease Resistance | $24,828 | Dr.Giverson Mupambi University of Massachusetts | |
| ONE20-357 | Establishing a Cooperative Farm Share Program in the Massachusetts Hilltowns | $25,405 | J. Huntington Chase Hilltown Community Development | |
| ONE19-326 | Identifying the Most Effective and Accessible Queen Rearing Method to Strengthen Northeast Beekeeping Practices | $17,879 | Hannah Whitehead University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| ONE19-332 | Improving Producer Cooperatives: Best Practices in Marketing, Distribution and Governance | $23,750 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| ONE19-354 | Measuring Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration in an Emerging Chestnut Agroforestry System | $18,700 | Keith Zaltzberg Regenerative Design Group | |
| ONE18-311 | Massachusetts Employee Manual Template: A Tool for Improving Employee Management on Farms | $15,000 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| ONE18-314 | Training Beginning Farmers in Crop Production Skills to Build Climate Resilience | $15,000 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ONE18-324 | The Weed Weasel Prototype: Electric Walking Tractor | $14,480 | Jan Yoder Woodmetalcanvas | |
| ONE18-325 | Improving Ground Cover Selection and Competition Management in the Establishment of Productive Riparian Agricultural Buffers | $14,995 | Keith Zaltzberg Regenerative Design Group | |
| ONE17-290 | Legal guidelines for on-farm labor and learning | $15,000 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ONE17-300 | Evaluating the methods, effects, and economics of interplanting oyster mushrooms with vegetable crops | $14,877 | Geunhwa Jung University of Massachusetts Amherst | |
| ONE16-255 | Building loyalty: Testing the efficacy of farmers market loyalty programs to engage the community and enhance sales | $14,999 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| ONE16-261 | Connecting with institutional markets for World PEAS Food Hub participants | $15,000 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ONE16-277 | Grain bikes: Human-powered seed processing tools for small farms | $13,734 | Jan Yoder Woodmetalcanvas | |
| ONE16-281c | Nitrogen contribution from cover crops for vegetable crop uptake | $11,067 | Katie Campbell-Nelson Cornell Cooperative Extension, Columbia and Greene Counties | |
| ONE15-231 | Evaluation of biological fungicides to control diseases of spinach in winter high tunnels | $14,982 | Susan Scheufele UMass Extension Vegetable Program Katie Campbell-Nelson Cornell Cooperative Extension, Columbia and Greene Counties | |
| ONE15-233 | Supplying Demand: Optimizing Improvements to the Local Food Value Chain in Western Massachusetts | $14,974 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| ONE15-236 | Crop quality and food safety support for World PEAS Food Hub participants | $15,000 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ONE15-248 | Making it happen: Profitability and success | $14,973 | Benneth Phelps The Carrot Project | |
| ONE14-207 | Expanding the Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts | $14,982 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ONE14-209 | Coppicing for Northeastern farms: Farmer feedback and coppice system case studies | $14,996 | Dave Jacke Dynamics Ecological Design | |
| ONE14-227 | Profitability in farm-to-institution sales in Massachusetts | $14,891 | Lisa Damon Mass. Farm to School | |
| ONE13-183 | Pastured poultry enterprise: Profits, production, and processing support with new and diversifying small-scale farms | $14,987 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ONE13-193 | Evaluation of corn gluten meal for preemergence weed management in cranberry | $10,578 | Dr.Hilary Sandler UMass Cranberry Station | |
| ONE12-159 | Comparative influences of hive architecture in Apis mellifera fitness. | $14,999 | Dr.James Harding Green Mountain College Valerie Hetzel Green Mountain College | |
| ONE11-147 | Raw Milk Producers Manual | $8,563 | Winton Pitcoff NOFA/Massachusetts | |
| ONE10-131 | Irrigation and Nutrient Management to Maximize Vegetable Yield and Minimize Pollution | $14,986 | Dr.Jed Waddell Smart Farming | |
| ONE09-096 | Appletesters.net, A grower directed research tool for growers to access apple variety characteristics in order to better make planting decisions | $9,999 | Winfred Cowgill Rutgers University | |
| ONE06-059 | Troubleshooting concerns associated with direct long cut vacuum grass silage | $7,572 | Sue Ellen Johnson New England Small Farm Institute | |
| ONE03-001 | Sharing our advances: Evaluating the use of plastic mulch and trickle irrigation systems in Asian vegetable production | $9,789 | Amy Carrington New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| ONE03-013 | Impacts and comparisons of pruning and sanding on cranberry uprights and yield production | $4,864 | Dr.Hilary Sandler UMass Cranberry Station | |
| SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY INNOVATION GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| CNE13-102 | Community INVESTED in Sustaining Agriculture: Building the Network for Investment in a Local Food System | $15,000 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| CNE13-105 | Helping farmers create group-owned farm businesses | $14,996 | Severine Fleming The Greenhorns | |
| CNE12-094 | Finding Common Ground to Protect Public Health: Convening Town Board of Health Officials and Local Farmers to Support Direct Marketing and Value-added Production | $14,999 | Kelly Coleman Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture | |
| CNE12-098 | The Farm Institute's Pilot Parcels Project | $14,520 | Jonathan Previant The Farm Institute | |
| CNE12-100 | Community Farmland Connections through a Targeted GIS Identification and Outreach Approach | $14,953 | Jennifer Hashley New Entry Sustainable Farming Project | |
| CNE11-085 | Improving Technical Assistance for Emerging Food-Based Businesses | $15,000 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| CNE11-088 | Many Hands Farm Corps | $14,995 | Ryan Karb Many Hands Farm Corps | |
| CNE10-071 | Pioneer Valley Heritage Grain Project | $14,883 | Ben Lester Pioneer Valley Heritage Grains | |
| CNE10-078 | Enhancing Farmer Access to Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture Areas: An Ecosystem Approach | $15,000 | Owen Nichols Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies | |
| CNE09-057 | Building a case for local agricultural infrastructure | $24,968 | Margaret Christie Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | |
| CNE08-039 | Island Grown Initiative Poultry Program on Martha's Vineyard | $9,397 | Alice Berlow Island Grown Initiative Richard Andre Island Grown Initiative | |
| CNE08-041 | Connecting farmers and community to grow year-round sales of local agriculture products | $9,968 | Kelly Coleman Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture | |
| CNE08-042 | Target: Hunger farmers' markets (Springfield and North Berkshire) | $7,457 | Lori-Anne Russo The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts | |
| CNE08-045 | Bringing us together: A project to develop and strengthen the connections to our farms | $7,178 | June House Rehoboth Agricultural Commission | |
| CNE08-048 | Gaining Ground in Maine | $10,000 | Jim Oldham Equity Trust | |
| CNE08-053 | Pilot Investment Project | $10,000 | Benneth Phelps The Carrot Project | |
| CNE07-019 | Building the skills: Strengthening farm-to-school relationships, strengthening communities | $9,861 | Kelly Coleman Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture | |
| CNE07-024 | Growing Carver community connections | $9,800 | Jack Hunter Department of Planning and Community Development | |
| CNE07-025 | Mattapan food system project | $10,000 | Judy Lieberman Brookwood Community Farm | |
| CNE07-028 | The Carrot Project: Farmers' financing needs assessment | $10,000 | Benneth Phelps The Carrot Project | |
| CNE06-010 | Building partnerships and support for a regional farm-link effort in southeastern Massachusetts | $8,902 | Sarah Kelley SE Mass. Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) | |
| 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 | |
| SNE23-004-MA | Bringing the UMass Mentor Farm Model to Urban Agriculture | $116,251 | Clem Clay UMass Extension | |
| SNE20-004-MA | Soil Health Education for Massachusetts Agricultural Service Providers | $61,118 | Clem Clay UMass Extension | |
| NEMA17-001 | Mentoring for Extension Educators in Integrated Crop Management | $39,802 | Clem Clay UMass Extension | |
| NEMA14-001 | Nutrient Management Guidelines and Cover Crop Practices for Soil Health | $56,812 | Katie Campbell-Nelson Cornell Cooperative Extension, Columbia and Greene Counties | |
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).