Northeast

Rutgers student traces genetic trail of BMSB

Knowing that early detection is the most effective strategy to control invasive species, Rutgers University PhD student Rafael Valentin used his Northeast SARE Graduate Student grant to explore a technique using insect DNA to track the brown marmorated stinkbug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys). Within the past 20 years, BMSB has become a devastating pest across the […]

Food hub faces the challenges of scaling up ethnic produce

The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (NESFP), led by Jennifer Hashley, has a 20-year history of training next generation farmers—including immigrant and refugee growers—to improve local food systems. A recent Northeast SARE Partnership grant supported the Project’s food hub initiative aimed at long-term economic self-reliance among farmers while expanding access of healthy, culturally-appropriate foods in […]

Weed Weasel prototype provides weed cultivation options for small-scale farms

Weed management is crucial on vegetable farms of all scales but may be particularly challenging for small-scale farms as hand weeding is time consuming while tractor cultivation may not fit with smaller acreages. So, with his Northeast SARE Partnership grant, Jan “Lu” Yoder of Woodmetalcanvas in Westport, MA collaborated with local farmers to build, test […]

Geese on Pasture

Wesley Bascom of Gozzard City LLC conducted a Northeast SARE Farmer Grant project to look at pastured goose production in northern Vermont. Wesley wanted to track the impact of different levels of grain supplementation for geese on pasture. He divided the goose flock into three groups of approximately 60 each and supplemented one group with […]

Pollinator buffers improve poultry farm sustainability & neighbor relations

Like many farms across the region, Hill Farms, Inc. in Houston, Delaware has seen in increase in residential development surrounding their farm. Because maintaining positive neighbor relations is important to this poultry operation, owner Tina Hill conducted a Northeast SARE Farmer Grant project to install a mixed vegetative buffer adjacent their poultry houses. Tina was […]

Project expands leafy green production in WV's Eastern panhandle

The Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia is the fastest growing area in the state and is adjacent to large, diverse populations like Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. To meet the emerging demand for fresh produce from regional wholesale markets like hospitals, school districts and other institutional buyers, Lewis Jett of West Virginia University conducted a […]

Sustainable wine course goes online

In the vineyard industry, the task of communicating to customers is often left to winery sales and hospitality staff who may not know much about the farming end of the business. Whitney Beaman of Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue, NY recognized that educating winery employees who hold customer-facing roles (including tasting room, wine club and wholesale […]

Maine leads project using winter ecology to manage small ruminant parasites

For many small ruminant operations, grazing is central to farm profitability. However, grazing livestock increases risks of losses due to parasite-infested pastures. Haemonchus contortus, Barber pole worm, is a particular threat to sheep and goat farms throughout the Northeast region. Although H. contortus (as a subtropical parasite) has adapted to northern climates, Jim Weber of […]

UMD student studies the intersection of food safety and irrigation water

Salmonella enterica is the most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Since Salmonella has been a food safety concern for vegetables produced on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with surface water and sediments identified as possible reservoirs for these bacteria, University of Maryland student Angela Ferelli conducted a Northeast SARE Graduate Student […]

Northeast SARE Announces 2020 Grant Awards

The Northeast SARE Administrative Council has approved 59 projects, totaling $4,766,005, for funding thus far in the 2020 grant funding cycle. These include 31 Farmer Grant projects, 12 Research and Education projects, 10 Research for Novel Approaches projects, and 6 Professional Development projects. The Administrative Council is the governance committee of Northeast SARE (comprised of […]

A Look at Pollinator Projects

Pollinators are essential parts of the ecosystem and are crucial to the success of growers everywhere. There has been an increasing decline in pollinator populations, especially native bees, in the last 20 years with four species seeing a 96% decrease and three others going into extinction, according to the Sierra Club. A few key factors […]

Northeast SARE Announces 2019 Partnership Grant Awards

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program is pleased to announce that its Administrative Council recently approved 29 Partnership Grant proposals for funding, totaling $777,274. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Northeast SARE offers competitive grants and education in sustainable agriculture. Partnership Grants fund projects conducted […]

Northeast SARE Announces 2019 Graduate Student Research Grant Awards

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program is pleased to announce that its Administrative Council approved 34 Graduate Student Research Grant proposals for funding, totaling $495,917. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Northeast SARE offers competitive grants and education in sustainable agriculture. The program's Graduate Student […]

2018 Northeast SARE Annual Report

In Northeast SARE's 2018 Annual Report, we include grant project highlights and list 2018 project awards by state.

Developing a criteria to select colostrum samples of poor quality

Good colostrum management is essential to the health of newborn replacements and life-long profit.

2017 Northeast SARE Annual Report

A look back at the past 30 years of SARE and a look to the future. This edition includes a listing of 2017 project awards by state and includes a snapshot of program results.

On-Farm Smart Energy Buying and Use

This is part of the Farm Energy IQ Curriculum Series. With the understanding of deregulated energy markets and having an option to buy energy at less expensive times of the day, how can you change your habits to take advantage? 

On-Farm Energy Efficiency

This curriculum module covers the fundamentals of energy systems. Basic thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy conversion processes and discussion of energy efficiency and specific applications on farms are addressed.

On-Farm Energy Production - Biofuels

The On Farm Energy Production Curriculum Series provides basic understanding of feedstock production, biodiesel, biogas, and wood and gas pellets.

On-Farm Energy Production - Solar

This solar electricity and solar thermal module provides a basic understanding and how to calculate a simple payback term for the installation of different size systems. Learn about programs that may be available to subsidize your investment.