AGRICULTURE PROJECTS FUNDED IN
PUERTO RICO
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
PUERTO RICO
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
Puerto Rico has been awarded $2,783,494 grants to support 48 projects, including but not limited to, 7 research and/or education projects, 5 professional development projects and 12 producer-led projects. Puerto Rico 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 | |
| LS25-406 | Building Resilience through Climate-Adaptive Pest Management Practices among Underrepresented Vegetable Farmers in Puerto Rico. | $399,934 | Dr.Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar University of Florida Dr.Angela Ramírez University of Puerto Rico Diego Viteri Dillon University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Rosalie Koenig University of Florida Hugh A. Smith U. of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science | |
| LS14-263 | Multisectoral and Transdisciplinary Coalition to Spearhead the Development of a Cohesive Network of Local Limited-resources Urban Community Farmers for Sustainable Agriculture Using the Capital City of Puerto Rico as Case Study | $250,000 | Dr.Maria Calixta Ortiz Universidad Ana G. Méndez | |
| LS10-231 | Weed management alternatives for organic coffee agroforestry systems of Puerto Rico | $150,000 | Mariangie Ramos University of Puerto Rico at Utuado | |
| LS08-212 | Integrating tropical legumes with condensed tannins into ruminant grass-based diets for sustainable production | $100,000 | Dr.Elide Valencia University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez | |
| LS04-162 | Developing legume shade trees for Sustainable coffee production in Puerto Rico | $195,298 | Eduardo Schröder University of Puerto Rico | |
| LS00-111 | Structures of Sustainability: A Regenerative Model for Community Agriculture Development | $19,678 | Vivian Carro-Figueroa University of Puerto Rico Agric. Experiment Sta. | |
| LS95-072 | Agronomic & Economic Benefits of Intercropping Bean with Banana | $99,845 | Lii-chyuan Liu University of Puerto Rico, College of Agricultural Sciences | |
| EDUCATION ONLY GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| EDS25-080 | Developing Learning Communities of Farmers and Educators to Promote Root and Tuber Crops Cultivation in Response to Food Security and Climate Change | $49,999 | Bryan Hernandez-Aquino University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus Janitza Saavedra-Lugo University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez Campus Jannis Noriega-Muñoz University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez Campus | |
| EDS25-072 | Agroforestry and Earthworks Education for Erosion Control and Increased Resiliency in Rural Mountainous Farms of Puerto Rico | $49,998 | Rebekah Sanchez Cruz Plentitud PR Paula Paoli Garrido Plenitud PR Dr.Bryan Brunner Agricultural Experiment Station | |
| EDS24-058 | From the Classroom to the Farm: Exploring Integrated Pest Management & Climate Change for Farmers and Agricultural Educators in Puerto Rico | $25,089 | Dr.Ermita Hernandez University of Puerto Rico Dr.Nicole Colón Carrión CORTEVA Agriscience | |
| EDS24-068 | PR-GOSHEPI - PHASE II. Hands-on Training in Best Management Practices for Sustainable Small Ruminant Production | $38,970 | Abner Rodriguez University of Puerto Rico Dr.John Fernandez University of Puerto Rico | |
| EDS23-044 | Tai Lamb Meat Marketing and Promotion Educational Program (TAILAM-EP) | $45,999 | Neftali Lluch, PE Tai Institute of Sustentable Livestock Research LLC Dr.John Fernandez University of Puerto Rico Abner Rodriguez University of Puerto Rico | |
| EDS23-053 | Education and Conservation Practices for a Sustainable Agriculture in Puerto Rico | $41,000 | Nicolás M. Cartagena University of Puerto Rico Dr.Anibal II Ruiz-Lugo Puerto Rico Agricultural Extension Service, University of Puerto | |
| EDS22-41 | An Agro-Ecological Incubator and Educational Programs for Beginner Farmers in Western Puerto Rico | $50,000 | Rebekah Sanchez Cruz Plentitud PR Dr.Bryan Brunner Agricultural Experiment Station Paula Paoli Garrido Plenitud PR | |
| EDS21-29 | Puerto Rico Goat and Sheep Educational Program Initiative (PR-GOSHEPI) | $48,036 | Abner Rodriguez University of Puerto Rico Dr.John Fernandez University of Puerto Rico | |
| EDS20-23 | Agro-Ecological Education for New Farmers in the Central Western Region of Puerto Rico | $49,992 | Paula Paoli Garrido Plenitud PR Bryan Brunner Montes University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Owen Ingley Plenitud PR Samantha Lopez Plenitud PR Gina Malley Campos Plenitud PR Rebekah Sanchez Cruz Plentitud PR | |
| EDS20-22 | Agroecosystem Sustainable Guides | $41,040 | Silmarie Crespo ECO-Services Gabriela Medina Finca La Jiba | |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| SPDP22-14 | Learning to Teach Farmers about Agricultural Interpretation to Foster Sustainability and Food Security | $59,999 | Camille Collazo Ortiz Yes Dr.Robinson Rodriguez University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, School of Agricultur | |
| ES20-152 | Soil Nutrient Management in Tropical Soils | $69,335 | Dr.Daniel Bair University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Dr.Miguel Muñoz University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Mario Rodriguez USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area | |
| ES19-149 | Agroforestry Management for Tropical and Subtropical Agroforestry Systems: Management guide and practical workshops | $53,609 | Andre Sanfiorenzo University of Puerto Rico at Utuado | |
| ES97-033 | Alternative Sustainable Practices for Selected Crops in Puerto Rico | $10,000 | Miguel F. Monroig University of Puerto Rico | |
| ES97-035 | Integrated Strategic Plan for Sustainable Agriculture | $25,740 | Hipólito O’Farrill-Nieves University of Puerto Rico Agric. Ext. Service | |
| FARMER/RANCHER GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| FS25-380 | Integrating Fermented Organic Solutions and Precision Agriculture for Enhanced Soil Health and Sustainable Cacao Production in Puerto Rico | $19,991 | Rafael A Morel Finca La Providencia LLC | |
| FS24-370 | Roots of Resilience: Mulching for Higher Yields in Breadfruit Agroforestry and Island Food Sovereignty | $18,011 | Fernando Maldonado Carite 3.0 | |
| FS21-334 | Case Study for American Heritage Hogs in Puerto Rico | $14,885 | Chris Ghosio | |
| FS20-324 | Building Soil and Plant Health with Compost and Compost Teas in Coffee Plantations | $12,443 | Gabriela Medina Finca La Jiba | |
| FS17-298 | Weed Suppression by Compost Mulch in Plantains | $8,436 | Reed Hepperly Hepperly Enterprises | |
| FS13-271 | Cover Crops for Improving Recalcitrant Soil Organic Matter and Soil Biota Management in Plantain Production Systems in Puerto Rico | $10,000 | Duamed Colon-Carrion Agro Tropical, Inc. | |
| FS07-213 | Recycling Mushroom Spent Compost | $8,027 | Reed Hepperly Hepperly Enterprises | |
| FS05-193 | Organic Farming in the Tropics with Legume Groundcover | $8,107 | Luis Miguel Rico | |
| FS03-172 | Puerto Rico Shade Grown Coffee Project | $9,956 | Luis Miguel Rico | |
| FS99-095 | Breaking the Herbicide Habit: Integrating Cover Crops with Herbicide Application | $9,960 | Rebecca Perez-Rossello | |
| FS99-098 | Demonstrating the Benefits of Agroforestry Practices on Family Farms | $6,704 | Andre Sanfiorenzo | |
| FS95-028 | Improving Tropical Soils by Utilizing Organic Wastes | $10,000 | Andre Sanfiorenzo | |
| GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| GS24-304 | Grounded Values: An Exploration of Soil Ethics in Puerto Rican Coffee Farmers | $22,000 | Donna Peterson Mississippi State University Patricia Marie Cordero-Irizarry Mississippi State University | |
| GS23-287 | The Taino: Can The Indigenous Agricultural Methods of Puerto Rico Feed the Island and Potentially Mitigate Climate Change? | $16,491 | Dr.Krishnaswamy Jayachandran Florida International University Joseph Navarro Florida International University | |
| GS08-070 | The fate of the finca: Smallholders in the Hispanic Caribbean | $10,000 | Gregory Knapp University of Texas at Austin Katia R. Aviles-Vazquez The University of Texas at Austin | |
| ON FARM RESEARCH/PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| OS25-191 | Pole Beans as a Sustainable Alternative to Enhance Farm Productivity and Soil Health | $29,901 | Zoelie Rivera Ocasio Arte-Suelo-Ser | |
| OS20-134 | Case study for Heritage American Guinea Hogs in Puerto Rico | $12,549 | Julie North N/A | |
| OS07-033 | Precious Indigenous Woods For Coffee Shade | $14,967 | Jose Aponte El Caribe RC&D | |
| OS05-027 | Coffee Seedlings in Forestry Tubes | $14,957 | Steven Welker USDA NRCS - El Atlantico RC&D | |
| SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY INNOVATION GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| CS05-038 | Puerto Rico PIG Project | $10,000 | Steven Welker USDA NRCS - El Atlantico RC&D | |
| 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 | |
| SPR24-A02 | Puerto Rico 2024-2025 MSP - Program Assistant | $33,000 | Nicolás M. Cartagena University of Puerto Rico | |
| SPR24-002 | 2024 - 2025 Puerto Rico Sustainable Practices Outreach Project | $33,000 | Nicolás M. Cartagena University of Puerto Rico | |
| SPR23-001 | 2023 Puerto Rico’s Sustainable Practices Outreach Project | $22,000 | Nicolás M. Cartagena University of Puerto Rico | |
| SPR23-A001 | Puerto Rico 2023-2024 MSP - Program Assistant | $33,000 | Nicolás M. Cartagena University of Puerto Rico | |
| SPR20-001 | 2020 Model State Program- University of Puerto Rico | $22,000 | Nicolás M. Cartagena University of Puerto Rico | |
For further information on projects, contact 770-412-4787 or ssare@uga.edu.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).