COORDINATE THE USDA SARE (SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION) PROGRAM FOR THE 13 STATES AND 2 TERRITORIES OF THE SOUTHERN REGION. EACH AGREEMENT SUPPORTS APPROXIMATELY 12 RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECTS, APPROXIMATELY 10 GRADUATE STUDENT PROJECTS, APPROXIMATELY 10 ON-FARM RESEARCH PROJECTS, APPROXIMATELY 7 FARMER PROJECTS, APPROXIMATELY 7 PDP COMPETITIVE PROJECTS, AND APPROXIMATELY 20 PDP STATE PLANS. REGIONAL COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM TO HELP AGRICULTURE BECOME MORE PROFITABLE, PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES.