AGRICULTURE PROJECTS FUNDED IN
WEST VIRGINIA
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
WEST VIRGINIA
by USDA's
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
1988-2025
West Virginia has been awarded $6,144,014 grants to support 130 projects, including but not limited to, 15 research and/or education projects, 13 professional development projects and 49 producer-led projects. West Virginia 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 | |
| LNE25-490 | Identifying, Preventing and Resolving Heirs Property Issues in West Virginia | $238,463 | Jesse Richardson, Jr. West Virginia University College of Law | |
| LNE21-420 | Developing an Affordable Soil Health Test for the Appalachian Region to Incentivize Sustainable Agricultural Production | $248,302 | Dr.Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw West Virginia University | |
| LNE20-401 | Optimization of Preventative Biorational Strawberry Fruit and Root Disease Management Techniques | $244,349 | Dr.Mahfuz Rahman West Virginia University | |
| LNE17-359 | Obtaining preventative veterinary care in underserved areas | $67,092 | William Shockey West Virginia University | |
| LNE16-350 | Refining an attracticidal sphere management system for spotted-wing drosophila in small fruit production | $198,902 | Dr.Tracy Leskey USDA-ARS | |
| LNE14-333 | Enhancing the productivity of ewe lambs through the use of reproductive management | $134,152 | Marlon Knights West Virginia University | |
| LNE14-334 | Building attract-and-kill systems for management of the brown marmorated stink bug in apple orchards | $249,967 | Dr.Tracy Leskey USDA-ARS | |
| LNE06-249 | Evaluation of field density, cultivar preference, and northeast grower evaluation of the hornfaced bee as an alternative sustainable pollinator for highbush blueberry production | $96,380 | Dr.Todd West West Virginia University | |
| LNE05-218 | Multi-stakeholder collaboration for profitable and ecological cultivation of forest medicinals | $103,500 | Dennis Hosack Rural Action- Appalachian Forest Resource Center | |
| LNE04-197 | Understanding and Improving E-Commerce Use by Small Farms | $85,317 | Cheryl Brown West Virginia University | |
| LNE04-207 | Decision Enabling Data Collection and Management Project | $100,081 | Tom McConnell West Virginia University | |
| LNE02-158 | Comparison of Organic Farming Systems Using Off-Farm Nitrogen with & without Animals | $149,968 | Sven Verlinden West Virginia University | |
| LNE00-139 | Improving Farm Profits by Developing a Niche Market for Green-Certified Senior Calf Beef | $112,621 | W. Neil Gillies Cacapon Institute | |
| LNE99-123 | Systems of Transition from Conventional to Organic Agricultural Production | $212,247 | James Kotcon College of Agriculture, Forestry & Consumer Sciences | |
| LNE98-105 | Controlling Honeybee Mites with Essential Oils | $80,000 | Jamie Amrine West Virginia University | |
| RESEARCH ONLY GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| LNE25-498R | Statewide Indigo Pilot to Determine the Commercial Viability of Growing Indigo in West Virginia | $199,080 | Cassidy Riley Coalfield Development Corporation | |
| LNE21-427R | Stacking Robust Resistance to Septoria Leaf Spot from Wild Germplasm Accessions into the Cultivated Tomato | $198,977 | Dr.Vagner Benedito West Virginia University | |
| LNE20-410R | Designing and Building Centrifuges to Clarify Maple and Walnut Syrup | $49,824 | Dr.Michael Rechlin Future Generations University | |
| LNE20-411R | UV-C Light Application Technology for Field-Grown Strawberries to Control Fungal Diseases and Arthropod Pests | $187,733 | Dr.Tracy Leskey USDA-ARS | |
| LNE19-387R | A Novel Phosphate Sorbent to Reduce Non-point Source Pollution and Increase Plant Production | $199,813 | Lian-Shin Lin West Virginia University | |
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ENE23-186 | Value-Added Coaching Program for West Virginia Agricultural Service Providers | $149,999 | Jennifer Totten Future Generations University | |
| ENE23-184 | Agritourism and Land Use: Good Neighbors and Good Business for Rural Resilience | $149,900 | Jodi Richmond WVU Extension - Mercer County Commision | |
| ENE22-178 | Sprout School: Developing a Comprehensive Farm to School Toolkit for Central Appalachia | $150,000 | Jennifer Totten Future Generations University | |
| ENE21-168 | Reading the Woods: Training West Virginia Agricultural Service Providers on Non-Timber Forest Products | $149,878 | Dr.A.L. "Tom" Hammett Future Generations University Dr.A. L. (Tom) Hammett Virginia Tech | |
| ENE20-161 | Building Efficacy and Financial Success among West Virginia Producers via Farmers Market Manager Education | $85,958 | Erica Gallimore West Virginia Farmers Market Association | |
| ENE20-163 | From Seed to Sale: Market-Driven High Tunnel Production Education for West Virginia Agricultural Providers | $112,771 | Lisa Jones West Virginia University | |
| ENE12-126 | Professional Development for Agricultural Service Providers in Pollution Discharge Elimination System | $26,699 | Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University | |
| ENE08-109 | An Educational Program to Expand Season Extension of Horticulture Crops in West Virginia | $52,517 | Dr.Lewis Jett West Virginia University | |
| ENE03-077 | Timber to truffles: West Virginia workshops in traditional and special forest products | $61,614 | Dr.David McGill WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center | |
| ENE03-078 | Increasing returns from farm woodlots with owner-operated processing of timber | $79,895 | Dr.David McGill WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center | |
| ENE02-070 | Consumer-Driven Marketing | $40,503 | Tom McConnell West Virginia University | |
| ENE98-045 | Re-Inventing the Appalachian Shepherd | $6,500 | Tom McConnell West Virginia University | |
| ENE94-002 | Extension Agent Training in Sustainable Agriculture | $41,600 | John Jett West Virginia University | |
| FARMER/RANCHER GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| FNE25-112 | Building Resilient Water Systems for Small Farms: A Comparative Study of Water Sources in Drought-Prone Appalachia | $21,131 | Jonah Freeland The Human Animal Bond, Inc Evan McWreath | |
| FNE24-103 | Reeling for Results: Biochar & Fish Hydrolysate Netting Crop Growth | $29,999 | Fred Antolini | |
| FNE23-062 | Off Grid Heating and Cooling for Greenhouses | $30,000 | Audra O'Dell Random Rabbit LLC | |
| FNE22-026 | Analysis of Organic Matter and Pipe Depth in a Geothermal Climate Battery High Tunnel | $14,955 | Tommye Rafes T. L. Fruits and Vegetables LLC | |
| FNE21-970 | Trialing Cultivating Chicken of the Woods Using Standard Mushroom Farm Technology While Confirming PCR Primer Sequence Traits in Fruiting Bodies | $14,356 | Sharon Briggs Peasant's Parcel Mushroom Farm | |
| FNE21-982 | A Practical Comparison of Cold Storage and Traditional Outdoor Hive Wintering Methods in Central West Virginia | $7,317 | Eric Grandon Sugar Bottom Farm LLC | |
| FNE20-962 | Low Cost Self-Sustaining Year-Round High Tunnel Temperature Control | $14,781 | Tommye Rafes T. L. Fruits and Vegetables LLC | |
| FNE18-907 | Here Comes the Sun: Solar Power as Energy Source in Remote High Tunnel Ventilation Systems | $14,246 | Tommye Rafes T. L. Fruits and Vegetables LLC | |
| FNE17-870 | Determination of optimum planting dates for strawberry production in southern West Virginia | $13,725 | Kent Gilkerson Sunset Berry Farm & Produce | |
| FNE17-882 | Defining honeybee pollen sources in Appalachia, July through October | $14,968 | Michael Staddon Honey Glen | |
| FNE15-831 | West Virginia Pollen Project 2015 | $14,990 | Michael Staddon Honey Glen | |
| FNE13-775 | Hay net/plastic sleever | $5,631 | Lonnie Fast Fast Hay Movers Inc. | |
| FNE12-759 | Integrated trap crop and pheromone trap system for organic management of brown marmorated stink bug | $14,998 | Dr.Clarissa Mathews Redbud Farm, LLC | |
| FNE10-678 | Modified Use of Spored Oil for Profitable Production of Mushrooms | $15,000 | Lawrence Beckerle Mountaintop Quail Farms | |
| FNE08-638 | Using high tunnels to produce blackberries organically in West Virginia | $6,318 | William Jett Dr.Lewis Jett West Virginia University | |
| FNE08-649 | Open range woodlands: An untapped resource for small-scale farms | $6,432 | Chuck Talbott Black Oak Holler Farm, LLC | |
| FNE08-651 | Summer veggie snack mix: Product development and processing of excess summer vegetables into a value-added dried snack mix and soup blen | $5,991 | Pam West West Farm | |
| FNE07-599 | Medicinal herb seed and seedling rootlet production | $7,115 | David Carman | |
| FNE06-577 | Using three-quarter American chestnut hybrids for timber, wildlife, and nut production | $5,234 | Don W. Kines Mountain State Chestnuts | |
| FNE06-593 | Producing upscale pork for small-scale farmers: An Appalachian application | $8,254 | Chuck Talbott Black Oak Holler Farm, LLC | |
| FNE05-554 | Horn-faced bees vs. indigenous pollinators in blueberries | $4,304 | Robert McConnell McConnell Berry Farm | |
| FNE04-519 | Greenhouse Production of West Virginia '63 Tomato Seed | $5,588 | Karen Hyde | |
| FNE04-522 | Improved feasibility of sustainable salad production | $9,199 | Barry Landers Mountain State Innovations, INC | |
| FNE04-526 | Evaluating Marshall Ryegrass | $1,699 | Roy Metheney | |
| FNE04-536 | Pastured Rabbits | $5,437 | Cindy Welch Mountain Berry Farms | |
| FNE04-538 | An Economic Analysis of Precision Agriculture on Pastureland in Monroe County, WV | $4,000 | Brian Wicklline | |
| FNE03-462 | Yield Differences Between Log Cultivation of Shiitake Mushrooms and Indoor Enriched Blocks | $5,740 | Daniel Freeman Freeman Fungi | |
| FNE03-475 | Using Pasture Poultry as a Nitrogen Return for Summer Slump Grazing of Rape by Sheep | $3,283 | Isaac Lewis Greenwood Acres Farm | |
| FNE02-417 | Profitability of Ethnic Vegetable Varieties for Sale in Urban Niche Markets | $2,811 | Haroun Hallack Red Bud Farm | |
| FNE02-438 | Continuation and Refinement of Two Approaches to Farm-Grown Nitrogen | $1,006 | Susan Sauter | |
| FNE02-440 | West Virginia Herb Growers Research Project | $6,879 | Scott Snyder WV Herb Assoc. | |
| FNE01-358 | Essential Oil Distillation for West Virginia Herb Growers: A Smell-Good Project | $6,035 | Myra Bonhage-Hale La Paix Herb Farm | |
| FNE01-365 | Spuds - Under Organic Mulch vs. in the Soil | $1,465 | Sue Cosgrove LeeJun Farm | |
| FNE01-397 | Two Approaches to Farm-Grown Nitrogen | $2,707 | Susan Truxell Sauter | |
| FNE00-295 | Spuds - Under Organic Mulch vs. in the Soil | $1,265 | Sue Cosgrove LeeJun Farm | |
| FNE00-326 | American chestnut field trial. | $4,335 | Larry Boggs | |
| FNE99-246 | Intensive Grazing System | $2,515 | Milford Gibson | |
| FNE99-279 | Control of Eastern Red Cedar and Multiflora Rose by Nutrient Management and Intensive Grazing | $8,500 | Jason Teets Tiech Angus Farm | |
| FNE99-283 | Sustainable Production of Specialty Cut Flowers through Improved Soil Structure | $2,154 | Pam West West Farm | |
| FNE99-286 | Integrated Forest Farming: Medicinal Herb Cultivation, Mushroom Production, and Forest Restoration | $7,995 | Frederick D. Hayes | |
| FNE99-291 | Making the Farm Profitable Using Agroforestry | $6,000 | Bill Slagle | |
| FNE98-225 | Year Round Hydroponic Tomato Production | $2,499 | Donnie Tenney | |
| FNE98-226 | Expanding Local Production of Cage Cultured Hybrid Bass by Demonstrating an Integrated Approach with Limited Space and Equipment and Farmer Cooperation | $4,996 | Frederick D. Hayes | |
| FNE97-163 | Christmas Lights and Deer Scents | $937 | Myra Bonhage-Hale La Paix Herb Farm | |
| FNE97-168 | Evaluating Forage Quality and Yield in Pastures in the Shenandoah Valley | $2,753 | Bill Grantham | |
| FNE95-110 | Utilizing a Living Mulch System for Specialty Cut Flower Production & Pasture Regeneration | $1,605 | Pam Talley | |
| FNE93-004 | Evaluation of Five Organic Techniques for Controlling Flea Beetles on Kennebec Potatoes | $755 | Myra Bonhage-Hale La Paix Herb Farm | |
| FNE93-007 | Ginseng Production Project | $1,750 | Van & Edna Wysong | |
| FNE93-032 | Managing Crowded Woodlots though Shiitake Mushroom Production | $3,000 | Pam Talley | |
| GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| GNE24-325 | Enhancing Regenerative Agriculture: Implementing Low-Cost Dung Beetle Nurseries for West Virginia Farms | $14,997 | Yong-Lak Park West Virginia University Sneha Haridas West Virginia University | |
| GNE22-279 | Improving immune competence and disease resistance in sheep by selecting for parasite resistance. | $15,000 | Dr.Scott Bowdridge West Virginia University Kelsey Bentley West Virginia University - Doctoral Student | |
| GNE21-252 | Characterization of agouti-signaling protein during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development to improve in vitro embryo production in cattle | $14,926 | Jianbo Yao West Virginia University Heather Chaney West Virginia University | |
| GNE19-196 | Characterization of Novel Long Non-coding RNAs and Their Roles as Indicators of Oocyte Quality in Cattle | $14,884 | Jianbo Yao West Virginia University Jaelyn Current West Virginia University | |
| GNE14-079 | The Effects of Poultry Litter Biochar as a Viable Feed Ingredient in Poultry Diets | $14,989 | Dr.Joseph Moritz West Virginia University Ashley Evans West Virginia University | |
| GNE13-067 | Novel blood metabolites as pre-onset predictors of postpartum metabolic disease in overconditioned transition dairy cows | $14,995 | Dr.Joseph McFadden Cornell University Jorge Eduardo Rico Navarrete West Virginia University | |
| GNE12-041 | Meeting demand for local food in West Virginia: Do regional factors limit or enable farmer supply response? | $14,877 | Cheryl Brown West Virginia University Ruth Oldham West Virginia University | |
| GNE11-015 | Increasing Adoption of Out-of-Season Breeding to Enhance Profitability of Sheep Producers in West Virginia | $14,999 | Marlon Knights West Virginia University Kellie D'Souza WVU | |
| GNE11-029 | Effect of Continuous Suckling/”Ewe-rearing” on Growth and Level of Parasitism of Lambs and on Productivity and Profitability of Lamb Operations | $14,741 | Marlon Knights West Virginia University Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University Stephanie Simpson WVU | |
| ON FARM RESEARCH/PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| ONE24-444 | Using EQIP to Enhance Farm Operations | $29,025 | Timothy Farley Farley LLC | |
| ONE24-453 | Plot to Pantry: Propelling Farmer-Driven Value-Added Production | $29,825 | Spencer Moss West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition | |
| ONE21-388 | Evaluation of Pelletized Poultry Litter to Improve Specialty Crop Production in West Virginia | $29,944 | Candace DeLong West Virginia University | |
| ONE21-393 | Production and Value-Added Processing of Cultivated and Wild-Harvested Elderberries in West Virginia | $29,700 | Dr.Lewis Jett West Virginia University | |
| ONE21-400 | Hopping on Hops: Technical Assistance and Peer-to-Peer Mentorship to Support West Virginia Hops Growers | $29,999 | Spencer Moss West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition | |
| ONE21-383 | Increasing the Product Supply of Ramps via Enhanced Plantings and Educational Farm Programming | $29,876 | Dr.David McGill WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center | |
| ONE21-403 | Training Small Farmers for Commercial Seed Production while Exploring Profitability of Annual Vegetable Seed Crops in West Virginia | $16,996 | Dr.Mehmet Oztan West Virginia University | |
| ONE21-404 | Sycamore Syrup: Generating Farm Income and Protecting Riparian Zones in West Virginia | $29,996 | Dr.Michael Rechlin Future Generations University | |
| ONE21-405 | Is Copper Deficiency Killing Our Sheep? Micronutrient Availability and Their Effects on Sheep Health and Production. | $29,955 | Alexandria Smith WVU Extension | |
| ONE20-377 | Management of Powdery Mildew in Greenhouse and High Tunnel Tomatoes by Using Ultraviolet C Light | $29,171 | Dr.Mahfuz Rahman West Virginia University | |
| ONE19-338 | Preserving the Past for the Future: Evaluating Production, Processing and Marketing of Appalachian Heritage Beans | $29,356 | Lisa Jones West Virginia University | |
| ONE19-342 | Implementing Beginning Farmer Training in Geographic Areas via WV Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training | $29,067 | Spencer Moss West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition | |
| ONE19-347 | Advancing Walnut Syrup Production for Increased Profitability and Farm Income Diversification | $26,685 | Dr.Michael Rechlin Future Generations University | |
| ONE16-264 | Developing farm-to-institution grower capacity for leafy green vegetables in the Eastern Panhandle Region of West Virginia | $14,965 | Dr.Lewis Jett West Virginia University | |
| ONE16-273 | Exploring equipment sharing models in the rural Appalachian landscape of southern West Virginia | $14,998 | Anne Stroud Downstream Strategies | |
| ONE16-289c | West Virginia 2016 cover crop initiative for promoting soil health | $11,107 | Thomas Basden West Virginia University Extension Service | |
| ONE15-245 | Management of soilborne diseases in small farms with eco-friendly treatment options | $14,792 | Dr.Mahfuz Rahman West Virginia University | |
| ONE14-211 | The Farm Micro-Enterprise Development Program in the mid-Ohio Valley: Can extended season high tunnel production increase agricultural self-employment? | $14,996 | Lauren Kemp Unlimited Future Inc | |
| ONE14-223 | Enhancing productivity of sheep through greater access and use of genetically evaluated | $12,156 | Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University | |
| ONE12-168 | Empowering small farms to make big decisions: Examining profitability of local markets in West Virginia | $14,959 | Sigrid Teets WesMonTy RC&D | |
| ONE12-170 | Cooperative farm-to-school pilot program | $4,697 | Jennifer Poling West Virginia University Extension | |
| ONE09-105 | The Utility of Crotalaria juncea as a Cover Crop in a Temperate Climate | $9,644 | Dr.Gerald Leather West Virginia University | |
| ONE09-111 | Evaluating the Use and Seed Production of Forage Radishes in Field and Forage Crop Fields to Control Compaction, Concentrate Nutrients, Suppress Weeds and provide a local seed source in Limestone Soil of the Northern Shanendoah Valley | $9,485 | Craig Yohn West Virginia University Extension Service | |
| ONE05-049 | Evaluating hornfaced bees (Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowski) as pollinators of highbush blueberry | $9,933 | Dr.Todd West West Virginia University | |
| ONE04-023 | Use of a Baited Trap Crop for Stink Bug Management in Peaches | $9,180 | Henry Hogmire West Virginia University | |
| SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY INNOVATION GRANTS | ||||
| Project # | Project Title | SARE support | Project Leaders | |
| CNE11-087 | Pocahontas County Marketing Coordinator | $14,175 | Jill Young Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corp | |
| CNE08-038 | Farmers harness the web to market their products | $10,000 | Allen Arnold Collaborative for the 21st Century Appalachia | |
| CNE07-032 | Adding value to the sustainable farm | $25,000 | Allen Arnold Collaborative for the 21st Century Appalachia | |
| CNE07-037 | Development of an outreach program to promote wood residue utilization for bioenergy in West Virginia | $24,962 | Dr.Jingxin Wang West Virginia University | |
| CNE06-001 | Farm Fresh - Buying Local | $9,582 | Allen Arnold Collaborative for the 21st Century Appalachia | |
| 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 | |
| SNE24-014-WV | Agritourism as an "Ambassador" for Agriculture - Expanding Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Diversification Success | $164,961 | Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University | |
| SNE21-014-WV | West Virginia Beginning Farmer Training Program | $131,983 | Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University | |
| SNE21-015-WV | Helping Farmers Grow their Operations by Improving Coaching and Adult Education Skills of West Virginia Agriculture Service Providers | $49,992 | Barbara E. Liedl West Virginia State University | |
| SNE20-014-WV | West Virginia Beginning Farmer Mentorship Program | $43,918 | Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University Daisy Bailey WVU Extension Service Karen Cox WVUES Emily Morrow WVU Extension Service Jodi Richmond WVU Extension - Mercer County Commision Lisa Jones West Virginia University | |
| SNE20-015-WV | Extending Grant Writing and Management Capacity with West Virginia Agricultural Service Providers | $16,664 | Barbara E. Liedl West Virginia State University | |
| NEWVU17-001 | Enhancing the Viability and Profitability of Direct Sales and Agritourism Agripreneurs through Education, Clustering and Networking Opportunities | $133,001 | Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University | |
| NEWVSU17-001 | Growing Grant Writing and Management Capacity with WV Ag Service Providers to Support Our Ag Community | $49,992 | Barbara E. Liedl West Virginia State University | |
| NEWVU14-001 | Enhancing Farm Viability and Profitability through Improved Risk Management | $133,755 | Dr.Doolarie Singh-Knights, Ph.D. West Virginia University | |
| NEWVSU14-001 | Enhancing Farm Viability and Profitability through Improved Specialty Crop Production and Handling | $49,859 | Barbara E. Liedl West Virginia State University | |
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).