AGRICULTURE PROJECTS FUNDED IN
TENNESSEE
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
TENNESSEE
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
Tennessee has been awarded $4,947,921 grants to support 108 projects, including but not limited to, 14 research and/or education projects, 8 professional development projects and 25 producer-led projects. Tennessee 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 | |
| LS24-391 | Improving Soil Health and Cropping Systems Sustainability through Cover Crops: An Integrated Research, Education, and Support Approach | $399,984 | Dr.Samuel Haruna Middle Tennessee State University Dr.Song Cui Middle Tennessee State University Dr.Justin Gardner Middle Tennessee State University Dr.John Grove University of Kentucky Dr.Chaney Mosley Middle Tennessee State University Dr.Edwin Ritchey University of Kentucky | |
| LS23-376 | Alley cropping agroforestry as a climate change resiliency strategy for vegetable production in the southeastern US | $367,000 | Dr.David Butler University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dr.Avat Shekoofa Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee Dr.Carlos Trejo-Pech Dept. of Agric. & Resource Economics, University of Tennessee Dr.Margarita Velandia Dept. of Agric. & Resource Economics, University of Tennessee Dr.Annette Wszelaki Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee Le Chen University of Tennessee | |
| LS23-388 | An Approach to Building a Sustainable Small Flock Poultry Operation Through Improvement in Nutrition, Food safety, and Marketing | $377,000 | Dr.Samuel Nahashon Department of Food and Animal Sciences, Tennessee State University Dr.Pramir Maharjan Texas A & M AgriLife Research and Extension | |
| LS20-335 | Cover Crops and Cropping System Sustainability in a Changing Global Climate | $299,995 | Dr.Samuel Haruna Middle Tennessee State University Dr.Song Cui Middle Tennessee State University Dr.Audrey Gamble Auburn University Dr.Seockmo Ku Middle Tennessee State University Dr.Chaney Mosley Middle Tennessee State University Dr.Edwin Ritchey University of Kentucky | |
| LS18-287 | Cover Crops in Woody Ornamental Production: Impact on Plant Growth, Arthropod Pests, Soil-Borne Pathogens and Weeds | $284,869 | Dr.Karla Addesso Tennessee State University | |
| LS13-254 | Improving Fitness in Meat Goat Herds through Better Genetic Management | $230,000 | Dr.Richard Browning, Jr. Tennessee State University | |
| LS12-253 | Breeding Organic Corn varieties to resist GMO contamination | $48,183 | Dr.Dennis West University of Tennessee | |
| LS05-172 | Forage systems for the sustainable production of uniform goat carcasses | $200,000 | Richard Joost University of Tennessee at Martin | |
| LS03-147 | Bioactive Natural Products: A feasible method of organic disease management in float bed production systems | $19,883 | Kimberly Gwinn University of Tennessee | |
| LS03-152 | Improving Organic Crop Production with Enhanced Biofumigation and Composting Systems | $273,440 | Carl Sams The University of Tennessee | |
| LS95-068 | Using Farm Family Studies to Teach Sustainable Agriculture | $146,630 | Tim Cross University of Tennessee, Ag Economics | |
| LS94-064 | Development of Sustainable Area-Wide Weed Management Practices for Improved Land Utilization (AS93-08) | $3,760 | Jerome F. Grant University of Tennessee, Entomology & Plant Pathology | |
| LS93-052 | Utilization of Dairy Manure in Low-input, Conservation Tillage Animal Feed Production Systems | $90,635 | Michael D. Mullen University of Tennessee, Plant and Soil Science | |
| LS90-022 | Influence of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) On Low-input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) in the Southern Region | $25,000 | Charles H. Hadden University of Tennessee | |
| EDUCATION ONLY GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| EDS24-057 | Soil SMaRTS 2: Virtual Farm Tours for Enhanced and Inclusive Learning About Soil Health | $44,864 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| EDS24-062 | Increasing Sustainable Agriculture and Economic Viability of Farms in Tennessee Through Education | $39,702 | Natalie Seevers Tennessee Local Food | |
| EDS24-067 | South East Tennessee Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (SETN CRAFT) | $49,144 | Lena Banks Crabtree Farms Emily Heid Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Coalition | |
| EDS24-071 | River Friendly Farms Grazing School | $40,512 | Mekayle Houghton Cumberland River Compact Caroline Hutchins Cumberland River Compact | |
| EDS23-049 | Beyond Agri-Curious:Training New Farmers in the Business of Farming | $42,000 | Mekayle Houghton Cumberland River Compact C.J. Sentell Nashville Food Project | |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| SPDP25-034 | Soil Life / Suelo Vivo: Training Resources for Identifying and Supporting Soil Invertebrates for Soil Health | $79,900 | Mace Vaughan Xerces Society Kelly Gill Xerces Society | |
| SPDP23-022 | Sustaining Small Flock Poultry Producers Utilizing a Train-the-trainer Model on Identified Poultry Needs | $79,998 | Thomas Broyles Tennessee State University Dr.Pramir Maharjan Texas A & M AgriLife Research and Extension | |
| ES18-141 | Soil SMaRTS (Specific Management and Resources Training for Sustainability) for Soil Health in Tennessee | $77,413 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| ES14-121 | Sustainable ACEs (Agriculture,Curricula,Energy) for Tennessee | $77,757 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| ES03-069 | Training Educators to Protect Honey Bee Pollinators with Sustainable Pest Management | $126,648 | Dr.John Skinner Univ. Tennessee | |
| ES02-061 | A Statewide Journey of Sustainable Success: Hands-On Training | $48,000 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| ES97-029 | Implementing Tennessee’s Strategic Plan for Sustainable Agriculture: Utilizing On-Farm Case Studies for Teaching Advanced Management and Marketing to Extension Staff | $10,000 | Dr.Clark Garland University of Tennessee | |
| LST94-004 | Sustainable Dairy Systems Manual and Training | $90,000 | Dr.Clark Garland University of Tennessee | |
| FARMER/RANCHER GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| FS22-342 | Improving the Cost-Efficacy of Silvopasture Establishment in the Southeast | $12,771 | Wyn Miller Lick Skillet Farm | |
| FS21-331 | Successional Mushroom Production: Farming Multiple Species of Mushrooms on One Substrate to Lower Input Cost, and Increase Revenue and Products Sold | $10,780 | David Wells, III Henosis | |
| FS19-315 | A Study of the Effects of Black Woven Polypropylene on Soil Biota | $9,670 | Tera Kurtz | |
| FS18-310 | Increasing Farm Fertility and Profits with Mushroom Mulches | $9,774 | David Wells, III Henosis | |
| FS17-294 | Adaptive Winter Squash | $1,822 | Megan Allen Care of the Earth Community Farm | |
| FS17-295 | Incorporating Conservation Solutions into Alternative Crop Transplant Systems | $9,999 | Sarah Bellos Farmer | |
| FS17-297 | Bacillus thuringiensis var. Israelensis as a Larvacidal on a Rotational Grazing System for Ruminants to Combat Haemonchus contortus | $10,000 | Jo Ann Harris Farmer | |
| FS12-263 | Selective breeding of honey bees for multiple traits with a priority on nosema disease resistance | $10,000 | Michael Wilson Rosecomb Apiaries | |
| FS10-241 | Sustainable Cultivation of Plant-derived Indigo for Diversification and On-farm Value-added Dye Pigment Production | $9,871 | Sarah Bellos Farmer | |
| FS07-214 | Sustainable Low-Cost Heating for Season Extension Structures | $14,928 | Steve Hodges Clinch Appalachian Farm Enterprises | |
| FS07-221 | Natural Comb Management of Honey Bees for Varroa Control | $15,000 | Michael Wilson | |
| FS06-200 | Establishing Natural Controls of Competitive Fungi in the Production of Shiitake Mushrooms | $8,832 | James DAy | |
| FS06-203 | A Demand-Driven Approach to Specialty Crop Market Development | $12,324 | Dianne Levy Appalachian Spring Cooperative | |
| FS05-188 | Aquaculturally Derived Products as Fertilizers for High-value Organic Crop Production | $9,953 | Marc Cardosa | |
| FS05-189 | Salsa Pepper Project | $9,660 | Sara Gardner | |
| FS04-181 | Selection of Hygienic Honey Bee Queens Resistant to Tracheal Mites | $9,987 | Edwin Holcombe | |
| FS02-155 | Cooperating for Success: Building a Value-added Marketing Cooperative for Advantage in the Marketplace | $15,000 | Paul Miller Appalachian Spring Cooperative | |
| FS02-157 | Northern Tennessee Farmer’s Association Cooperative Farmers Market Project | $13,755 | Michael Osborne Northern Tennessee Farmer’s Assn. Cooperative | |
| FS01-131 | Fungicidal Effects of Compost Tea on Organic Strawberry Production | $9,814 | John Dysinger Bountiful Blessings Organic Farm | |
| FS99-087 | The Effect of Municipal Compost on Christmas Trees | $6,985 | Curtis Buchanan | |
| FS99-103 | Evaluating the Cost of Production of Row Crops Using Precision Farming Technologies | $7,816 | J. Tucker | |
| FS96-042 | Low Input Sustainable Agriculture Short Course | $9,650 | Alexander McGregor | |
| FS96-043 | Sustainable Cultivation of Medicinal Herbs as a Cash Crop Alternative to Tobacco | $5,004 | Paul D. Miller Tamsen Farm | |
| FS96-045 | Grazing Alternatives to Tall Fescue for Stocker Cattle | $9,982 | Chris Pitts | |
| FS94-012 | Swine Lagoon Management System | $10,000 | Kenneth Moore | |
| GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| GS25-322 | Assessing Farmland Potential for Regenerative Specialty Crop Production: Developing a Digital Decision-Support Tool | $17,677 | Dr.Leah Windsor The University of Memphis Melissa Medina-Sandoval University of Memphis- CAESER | |
| GS23-282 | Role of Local Trichoderma spp. Isolates in Reducing Tomato Fusarium Wilt and Increasing Phosphorus Uptake | $16,500 | Dr.David Butler University of Tennessee, Knoxville Caitlin Dalton University of Tennessee | |
| GS23-288 | Ambrosia Beetles and Phytophthora cinnamomi Management Using Plant Defense Elicitors Under Flood Stress Condition | $16,500 | Dr.Fulya Baysal-Gurel Tennessee State University Madhav Parajuli Tennessee State University | |
| GS23-289 | Enhancing Sustainability and Productivity of Organic Wheat-Soybean Double-Crop Systems in the Southeastern USA | $16,200 | Dr.Sindhu Jagadamma University of Tennessee Dr.Ravi Teja Neelipally University of Tennessee | |
| GS23-296 | Identifying Genetic Sources of High Nutritive Value in a Panel of American Southern Pea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) Germplasm | $16,368 | Dr.Matthew Blair Tennessee State University Max Miller, II Tennessee State University | |
| GS22-266 | Optimizing Anaerobic/Biological Soil Disinfestation Amendment Composition Through Soil Fermentation Experiments | $16,500 | Dr.David Butler University of Tennessee, Knoxville James Littrell University of Tennessee | |
| GS22-271 | Novel Energy Efficient UVC Autonomous Robotics Platform for Sustainable Strawberry Fungal Management | $16,496 | hongbo zhang Middle Tennessee State University Festus Aigbogun Middle Tennessee State University | |
| GS20-228 | Sustainable Management of Phytophthora Cinnamomi and Ambrosia Beetles Under Stress Conditions | $16,335 | Dr.Fulya Baysal-Gurel Tennessee State University Krishna Neupane Tennessee State University | |
| GS17-168 | Evaluating Soil Microbial Communities and Cropping Systems for Biomass Feedstock Production on Degraded Lands | $14,838 | E. Kudjo Dzantor Tennessee State University Ekundayo Adeleke Tennessee State University | |
| GS17-175 | Investigating the Impact of Plant Spacing on Yields of Sweet Potato Produced in Organic Systems | $16,443 | Dilip Nandwani Tennessee State University Sochinwechi Nwosisi Tennessee State University | |
| GS16-155 | Sustainable Management of Soil-borne Diseases in Nursery Production | $11,000 | Dr.Fulya Baysal-Gurel Tennessee State University Prabha Liyanapathiranage | |
| GS16-157 | Integration of Silvopasture and Nut Production in the Southeast | $7,906 | Dr.Hill Craddock University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Conrad Blunck | |
| GS14-128 | Assessment of beneficial microorganisms: Trichoderma, Actinomycetes, and Bacillus in anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) | $10,993 | Dr.David Butler University of Tennessee, Knoxville Utsala Shrestha University of Tennessee, Plant Sciences | |
| GS13-124 | Examining the Influence of Farmers’ Market Managers Perceived Roles on Business Opportunities for Small- and Moderate-size Farms and Access to Healthful Foods for Low-income Households | $6,479 | Dr.Deborah Slawson East Tennessee State University Rachel Ward East Tennessee State University | |
| GS10-095 | Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi in an integrated pest management plan for cucumber beetles in melons and pumpkins | $8,154 | Annette Wszelaki University of Tennessee Mary Rogers University of Tennessee | |
| GS09-086 | Testing the efficacy of three new alternative treatments for Nosema disease of honey bees in Tennessee | $9,963 | Dr.John Skinner Univ. Tennessee Paul Rhoades University of Tennessee | |
| GS08-077 | Providing habitat for native pollinators and determination of native pollinator contribution to pollination of cucurbits and blueberries at farm sites | $10,000 | Dr.John Skinner Univ. Tennessee Michael Wilson Rosecomb Apiaries | |
| GS04-038 | Determining Cost-Effectiveness of Best Management Practices in Sustainable Watershed Management: A Decision-Making Tool for Restoring Bullrun Creek | $9,910 | Joanne Logan University of Tennessee Candice Jones University of Tennessee | |
| GS02-016 | Collaborative Learning among Farmers as an Approach to Alternative Agricultural Education | $9,540 | John Peters University of Tennessee Robin Fazio Sonrisa Farm | |
| GS01-011 | Suppression of Soilborne Phytopathogenic Fungi of Tomatoes via Integrated Production Systems that Utilize Biofumigation, Composted Amendments, Solarization, and Chemical Fumigants. | $10,000 | Carl Sams The University of Tennessee Martin Lyons University of Tennessee | |
| GS00-002 | Control of Soilborne Plant Pathogens of tomatoes with incorporation of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) | $10,000 | Carl Sams The University of Tennessee Stephanie G Harvey Georgia Southwestern State University | |
| ON FARM RESEARCH/PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| OS25-184 | Novel Soil Moisture Sensing and Irrigation Management Robot for Sustainable Strawberry Farming | $29,973 | hongbo zhang Middle Tennessee State University | |
| OS22-160 | Development of Novel Directed Optical Energy Weed Management Robotics Platform for Sustainable Soybean Farming | $20,000 | hongbo zhang Middle Tennessee State University | |
| OS21-149 | Predicting Corn N Response Using Alkaline Mineralizable-Nitrogen and Haney Soil Health Tool-Nitrogen in TN | $20,000 | Dr.Nutifafa Adotey University of Tennessee | |
| OS18-112 | Biofumigants for Sustainable Soil-borne Disease Management in Nursery Production | $15,000 | Dr.Fulya Baysal-Gurel Tennessee State University | |
| OS17-101 | Amblyseius swirksii Athias-Henriot for Control of Arthropod Pests in Woody Ornamental Propagation | $14,872 | Dr.Karla Addesso Tennessee State University | |
| OS14-084 | Incorporating a Cover Crop into Field Grown Nursery Production to Manage Flatheaded Appletree Borer with the Simultaneous Benefit of Improved and Sustainable Weed Management | $14,997 | Dr.Karla Addesso Tennessee State University | |
| OS11-057 | Organic forage production systems for organic dairies in the Southern region | $14,993 | Dr.David Butler University of Tennessee, Knoxville | |
| OS02-002 | Specialty Flowering Bulbs as a Sustainable Alternative Crop for Tobacco Farmers in Middle Tennessee | $14,910 | Steve Garton | |
| SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY INNOVATION GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| CS10-075 | Building Sustainable Families through a Celebration of Low-Impact and Organic Community-Supported Agriculture | $10,000 | Ruth Correll UT Extension, Wilson County | |
| CS10-077 | Live Green and Prosper Community Education and Outreach Initiative | $10,000 | Erica Duarte Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council - WCTE | |
| CS07-056 | “Gathering” of Homestead Economic and Entrepreneurs of Food Based, Organic Foods and Other Related Businesses | $10,000 | Martha Pile UT Extension of Montgomery County | |
| CS07-056A | “Gathering” of Homestead Economic and Entrepreneurs of Food Based, Organic Foods and Other Related Businesses | $10,000 | Martha Pile UT Extension of Montgomery County | |
| CS06-048 | Schools + Potatoes Upper E. Tennessee Development System (SPUDS) | $39,762 | Steve Hodges Clinch Appalachian Farm Enterprises | |
| CS06-049 | Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture and Energy Project | $40,000 | John Jackson Appalachian Native Plants Inc | |
| CS02-004 | Homegrown, From Our Farms to Your Table: Growing a Farmers’ Cooperative in East Tennessee | $6,436 | Steve Hodges Clinch Appalachian Farm Enterprises | |
| 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 | |
| STN-002 | 2025 Southern Model State Program - Tennessee State University | $22,000 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| STN25-001 | 2025 Training Extension Agents and Other Agriculture Professionals in TN about Sustainable Agriculture Practices, Concepts and Ideas | $22,000 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN25-A01 | 2025 University of Tennessee Southern SARE Model State Program - Program Assistant | $33,000 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN25-A02 | 2025 Southern Model State Program - Program Assistant for Tennessee State University | $33,000 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| STN24-A01 | University of Tennessee Southern SARE Model State Program - Program Assistant | $32,670 | Troy Dugger University of Tennessee Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN24-A02 | 2024 Southern Model State Program - Program Assistant for Tennessee State University | $33,000 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| STN24-001 | 2024 Training Extension Agents and other Agricultural Professionals in TN about Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Concepts | $22,000 | Troy Dugger University of Tennessee Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN24-002 | 2024 Southern Model State Program - Tennessee State University | $22,000 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| STN23-001 | 2023 Southern SARE Model State Program - University of Tennessee | $22,000 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN23-002 | 2023 Southern Model State Program - Train-the-Trainer Program for Tennessee State University | $22,000 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| STN23-A001 | University of Tennessee Southern SARE Model State Program - Program Assistant | $32,670 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN23-A002 | 2023 Southern Model State Program - Program Assistant for Tennessee State University | $33,000 | Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| STN22-001 | University of Tennessee Training Grant- MSP22 | $20,811 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN21-001 | 2021 Tennessee Model State Program | $22,222 | Rob Holland UT Extension Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| SSTN21-A09 | 2021 Tennessee Model State Program - Program Assistant | $33,333 | Troy Dugger University of Tennessee Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN20-001 | 2020 Model State Program- University of Tennessee | $22,222 | Rob Holland UT Extension Dr.Jason deKoff Tennessee State University | |
| STN19-001 | 2019 Model State Program- University of Tennessee | $22,222 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN18-001 | STN18-001 | $55,555 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN17-001 | STN17-001 Model State Program | $55,555 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
| STN16-001 | 2016-2017 Model State Program University of Tennessee | $22,222 | Rob Holland UT Extension | |
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).