The United States Department of Agriculture’s Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
Northeast SARE, 10 Hills Building, 105 Carrigan Drive, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, 1-802-656-0471
website: www.uvm.edu/~nesare

OFFERING: Grants to farmers who want to try something new on their farm--a technique for adding value, a new crop, a new way of producing an established one, or a method of direct sales, for example. The goal of the program is to help farmers shift to practices that are environmentally sound, profitable, and beneficial to the wider farm community. Grants awarded average $5,000 and cap at $10,000. Application deadlines are in December. SARE is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Check out their website to access information on past projects.

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Contact your local Farm Service Center for more info. Hackettstown: 908-852-2576; Clinton: 908-735-0737 Frenchtown: 908-782-4614

OFFERING: In partnership with Farm Service Agency, NJDA, and County Soil Conservation Districts, offers cost sharing for a variety of sustainable farming, forestry, and land stewardship practices. NRCS provides cost sharing for approved practices from pasture management, cover cropping, sound soil management practices, organic farming, crop diversification, wildlife habitat maintenance, to fencing for intensive grazing, and irrigation systems.