From its inception, the program’s goal has been to support farmers, researchers, and educators as they explore practices that improve stewardship, profitability, and the social and economic health of farm communities.

The primary tools of the SARE program are grants, which are offered annually to farmers, researchers, educators, non-profits, community based organizations and community activists in the agricultural community. Grants are not the only tools, but grant funds are understood to be the chief lubricant in the development of new approaches and new ideas. SARE seeks out innovation in sustainable agriculture, and rewards grant applicants who offer up interesting, potentially workable ideas. The SARE program also emphasizes outreach and the dissemination of project results so that the grant program will have the widest possible benefits.

SARE’s national outreach office is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture. It operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Maryland and the University of Vermont (Award Nos. 2007-38640-03953 and 2007-47001-03782) to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture. Guided by a Steering Committee, SARE Outreach maintains the website and publishes a variety of print and electronic resources for farmers, agricultural educators, and consumers. It also hosts SANET-MG, a sustainable agriculture listserv with subscribers from around the globe.