THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THIS SET OF COMPETITIVE GRANTS IS TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION THAT WILL HELP AGRICULTURE BECOME MORE PROFITABLE, PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES.RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR RESEARCHERS AND OUTREACH SPECIALISTS TO INVESTIGATE, DEMONSTRATE AND PUT INTO ACTION THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, MARKETING, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. FARMER GRANTS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR FARMERS TO INVESTIGATE NEW PRODUCTION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES ON THEIR FARMS AND SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHER FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. PARTNERSHIP GRANTS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EXTENSION AGENTS AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL SERVICE PROVIDERS TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FARMERS IN CONDUCTING ON FARM RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATIONS. GRADUATE STUDENT GRANTS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO ARE DOING RESEARCH ON TOPICS SPECIFIC TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A FACULTY ADVISOR. GRANTEES FROM ALL PROGRAMS ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES OF THEIR PROJECTS AND FINDINGS ARE ADOPTED BY PRODUCERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. EXAMPLES ARE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COVER CROPPING SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH AND NEW SYSTEMS OF MARKETING SUCH AS CSAS AND FOOD HUBS.THIS PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES A PDP PROGRAM TO ENHANCE THE KNOWLEDGE AND CAPABILITIES IN THE AREA OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AMONG EXTENSION EDUCATORS AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WORKING DIRECTLY WITH FARMERS. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROVIDE FUNDING TO TRAIN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING OUTREACH SPECIALISTS WITH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, NRCS, STATE DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THESE SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE TRAINED IN THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, MARKETING, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ULTIMATE BENEFIT OF THEIR FARMER CLIENTS. STATE PROGRAM FUNDING ASSISTS STATE PROGRAM COORDINATORS IN GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT ABOUT SARE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND IN PROVIDING TRAININGS FOR AGRICULTURAL SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THEIR STATE.GRANTEES FROM ALL PROGRAMS ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES OF THEIR PROJECTS AND FINDINGS ARE ADOPTED BY PRODUCERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. EXAMPLES ARE NEW COVER CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR SOIL HEALTH AND NEW SYSTEMS OF MARKETING SUCH AS CSAS AND FOOD HUBS. INDIVIDUAL PROJECT OUTCOMES CAN BE FOUND IN ANNUAL AND FINAL REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL REPORTING DATABASE AT HTTP://MYSARE.SARE.ORG/MYSARE/PROJECTREPORT.ASPX AS WELL AS ON OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.NESARE.ORG.