** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE NORTHEAST SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (SARE) PROGRAM OFFERS COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO FARMERS,EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, AND PRIVATE BUSINESS TO ADDRESS ISSUES AFFECTING THESUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURE THROUGHOUT THE 12 NORTHEAST STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE SARE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BYANNUAL, 5-YEAR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN USDA/NIFA AND THE LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITIES SERVING AS HOST INSTITUTIONS IN EACHOF THE FOUR USDA REGIONS.EACH SARE REGION IS GUIDED BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MADE UP OF A DIVERSE SET OF AGRICULTURAL STAKEHOLDERS. THE COUNCILHAS THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE RECOMMENDED BY REVIEW TEAMS, AND IT OVERSEES THE PERFORMANCE OF THEREGIONAL SARE DIRECTOR, WHO SERVES AS PI ON ANNUAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH NIFA AND MUST BE AN EMPLOYEE OF THE HOSTINSTITUTION. THE COUNCIL ALSO REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDS HOST INSTITUTION APPLICANTS EVERY 5 YEARS.NORTHEAST SARE OFFERS 6 DIFFERENT COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAMS AIMED AT SERVING DIFFERENT AUDIENCES. EACH PROGRAM USES AUNIQUE SET OF CRITERIA USED DURING A REVIEW PROCESS CONDUCTING BY STAKEHOLDER TEAMS. SARE STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGINGFAIR, TRANSPARENT AND EFFECTIVE REVIEWS, AND THEY SUPPORT GRANTEES WITH PROJECT REPORTING. THE RESULTS OF SARE PROJECTS AREDISSEMINATED BY REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SARE COMMUNICATIONS STAFF THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, WEB SITES, A PROJECT REPORTDATABASE, AND OTHER OUTREACH TOOLS.SARE PROJECTS HAVE WORKED WITH A VARIETY OF FARMS, SUCH AS THOSE ENGAGED WITH AQUACULTURE, BEES, FRUIT, LIVESTOCK, MAPLE,ORNAMENTALS, VEGETABLES AND MORE. THEY ADDRESS MANY AUDIENCES, INCLUDING BEGINNING FARMERS, CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANICFARMERS, URBAN FARMS, AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. AND THE SPECIFIC ISSUES ADDRESSED ARE AMAZINGLY DIVERSE, SPANNINGECONOMICS, PRODUCTION, PEST MANAGEMENT, SOIL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE. BECAUSE SARE IS SO FLEXIBLE WITH REGARD TO THE TYPE OFPROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING, IT SUPPORTS CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, AND RESPONSIVENESS TO EMERGING ISSUES AMONG ITS APPLICANTS ANDGRANTEES.