The following is a list of Northeast SARE grant projects which were completed between January and March of 2026. Fifty-two projects were completed in total, representing $4.58M in funding across the Northeast region.
Connecticut
Nutrient Replacement Strategies for Hydroponics (FNE24-085)
William Heiden, Levo International, Inc. - $29,084
Application of Probiotics to Improve the Microbial Safety of Tomatoes (GNE24-329)
Mary Anne Amalaradjou, University of Connecticut - $15,000
Washington D.C.
Urban Agriculture Production and Distribution for Enhancing Local Food Systems (SNE23-016-DC)
Michael Whyte, The University of the District of Columbia; University of the District of Columbia - $119,078
Delaware
Reaching out to Growers with Sustainable, Resilient Production Techniques. (SNE23-003-DE)
Dr. Rose Ogutu, Delaware State University - $93,251
Utilizing Tools and Techniques to Improve the Impact of Agriculture Service Providers (SNE24-002-DE)
Georgie Cartanza, University of Delaware - $32,782
Massachusetts
Establishment and Evaluation of Founder Plots for Native Seed Production (FNE22-009)
Alexis Doshas, Native Plant Trust - $29,854
Harmony in the Soil: Uncovering Principles for the Design of Self-Sustaining Beneficial Agricultural Ecosystems (FNE24-078)
Tim Smith, We Grow Microgreens, LLC - $29,727
Is Wintering Locally Adapted Queen Bees in Bulk in Climate Controlled Storage a Viable Production System for Northeast Beekeepers? (FNE24-094)
Angela Roell, They Keep Bees (Formerly Yard Birds Farm & Apiary) - $30,000
Increase in larval shellfish survival and expansion of shellfish seed availability through novel feed sources (ONE24-464)
Dr. Daniel Ward, Ward Aquafarms, LLC - $29,940
Maryland
Using a High Tunnel to Increase Fig Tree Yield in Maryland and Conserving Local Fig Germplasm (FNE24-104)
Miaochan Zhi, Thousand Springs Orchard - $29,945
Implementation of Improved Intestinal Parasite Management Practices on Maryland Livestock Farms (LNE22-443)
Dr. Amanda Grev, University of Maryland - $165,354
Enhancing Farm Sustainability: How Can Management Strategies Reduce the Negative Impacts of Clostridium and Mycotoxins Contamination on the TMR? (ONE24-440)
Fabiana de Freitas Cardoso, University of Maryland - $28,069
Integrated Pest Management Education Program for Ag Service Providers in Maryland (SNE22-005-MD)
Emily Zobel, UME - $118,902
Maine
Reducing Tensions on Market Day: Training Farmers' Market Organizers and Service Providers on Conflict Resolution and De-escalation Strategies (ENE22-176)
James DeBiasi, Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets - $149,407
Developing Precision Oyster Farming Methods Using Environmental Data (FNE23-037)
Max Burtis, Ferda Farms LLC - $21,268
Testing a Novel Zip-line/Curtain Netting Exclusion System for Protection of Perennial Berries from Birds/Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) (FNE24-074)
Anson Biller, Full Fork Farm - $29,922
A Closer Look to Guide Farm Use of Tree/Shrub Silages: Per-Species & Ensilement Analyses for Safe, Nutritious Rationing, plus Replicable Trial Results (FNE24-083)
Shana Hanson, 3 Streams Farm - $29,725
First Self-Charging, Fully Electric Hoisting Barge for Oyster and Kelp Farming (FNE25-128)
Brendan Parsons, Blackstone Point Oysters - $30,000
3D-COAST (3-Dimensional Cultivation of Oysters Automated with Solar Tumbling) (FNE25-131)
Luke Saindon, The World Is Your Oyster - $29,978
Covering Ground: Assessing Effectiveness of Interseeding Cover Crops in Late Season Vegetable Crops to Enhance Soil Health in the Northeast (LNE22-451R)
Jason Lilley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension - $184,013
New Hampshire
Developing Mediated Market Models to Increase Consumer Engagement and Market Access for New England Farmers (LNE22-436)
Dr. Analena Bruce, University of New Hampshire - $257,846
Agroforestry Transition Hub: Education and On-farm Research to Advance Agroforestry for Climate Resilience for Northeast Farmers (LNE22-441)
Theresa Ong, PhD, Dartmouth College - $149,831
New Jersey
The Greater Newark Sustainable Farming Practices and Local Entrepreneurship Program (ENE22-174)
Alexandra Chang, Rutgers University-Newark - $135,459
Combating Extreme Weather Events in High Tunnel Raspberry Production While Analyzing Methods for Organic Weed Control (FNE24-072)
Rebekah Alstede Modery, Alstede Farms LLC - $30,000
Eden's Farm Cooperative : Urban Agriculture Report (FNE25-135)
Bilal Walker, Al-Munir LLC - $30,000
Influences of Habitat-level Crop Diversity on Community Dynamics of Pentatomids and Their Parasitoids in New Jersey (GNE22-303)
Anne Nielsen, Rutgers University - $15,000
Foliar Nickel Fertilizer Nutrition to Enhance Cranberry Yield and Decrease Fungicide Use (LNE22-449R)
Joseph Heckman, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - $199,987
New York
Northeast Pollinator Partnership – a program to educate agricultural service providers about the biology, importance and conservation of wild bees (ENE22-175)
Bryan Danforth, Cornell University - $150,203
Establishing Willow and Poplar Tree Fodder Blocks for Resilient Livestock Feed and Flood Mitigation in a Silvopasture Riparian Buffer (FNE22-010)
Steve and Elizabeth Gabriel, Wellspring Forest Farm LLC - $14,977
Building Soil Health in Glacial Sand Soils in Haying, Cropping, and Soil Building Practices (FNE23-057)
Brooke McConnell, Pitney Meadows Community Farm - $27,843
Clean, Consistent Carrot Plantings: Seeding into Compost Strips for Reliable Germination and In-Row Weed Control in Organic Carrot Production (FNE23-068)
Benjamin Shute, Hearty Roots Community Farm - $19,426
Farmers' Guide to the North American Dairy Sheep Udder-Assessment System (FNE25-133)
Bee Tolman, Meadowood Farms - $29,698
Optimizing the Economic Return of Pasture-Raised Slow-growth and Conventional Broilers (LNE22-435)
Amy Barkley, Cornell University - $175,000
Regenerative Organic Dry Bean Production in the Northeast (LNE22-444)
Dr. Matthew Ryan, Cornell University - $250,000
Designing an Alternative Model for Enhancing Economic Efficiency in Rural Pork Processing and Distribution in the Northeast (ONE24-456)
Elizabeth Pelletier, Maya Scrappas Agribusiness LLC - $28,000
Pennsylvania
Resilient Agriculture and Cold Storage Practices: Exploring Sustainable Solutions for Honey Bee Conservation (FNE24-080)
Mark Gingrich, Gingrich Apiaries, LLC - $29,475
The Effect of Fat Supplementation on Milk Fat Melting Temperature (GNE22-302)
Dr. Kevin Harvatine, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University - $14,291
Functionalized Biochar for Reducing Lead (Pb) Bioaccessibility in Contaminated Soils (GNE24-327)
Dr. Ekaterina Bazilevskaya, Pennsylvania State University - $12,750
Determining the efficacy of LifeGard biocontrol to suppress mildew diseases of grapes and its role in inducing plant defense metabolites. (GNE24-336)
Dr. Sharifa Crandall, Penn State University - $14,830
Improving Honey Bees Through Local Queen Rearing, Selection, and Controlled Mating via Artificial Insemination (LNE22-447)
Dr. Robyn Underwood, Penn State University - $217,050
Renovating Native Grass Swards: An On-farm Trial of Improved Warm-Season Grass Varieties (ONE22-428)
Wesley Ramsey, Penn Soil RC&D Council - $27,473
Rhode Island
Cultivation of Native Productive Plants in Urban Agroforestry Systems in the U.S. Northeast: Perceptions and Barriers (GNE22-283)
Dr. John Taylor, University of Rhode Island - $14,990
Vermont
Assessing the Impact of Thyme Nectar and Pollen on Honeybee Health (FNE24-076)
Kate Blofson, Born to Swarm Apiaries - $23,170
Capturing Value with Cereal Rye: Growing High Quality Rye in the Northeast for Value-Added Markets (LNE22-437)
Dr. Heather Darby, University of Vermont Extension - $247,241
Online Educational "Hub" for Farmworkers (LNE22-438)
Esbey Hamilton, University of Vermont Extension - $261,372
Supporting New High-Tunnel Vegetable Growers with a Comprehensive Crop Management Approach (LNE22-445)
Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont - $199,688
Development of Above and Below Ground Strategies Using Entomopathogenic Fungi and RNAi Technologies for the Control of Root Crop Pests (LNE22-450R)
Victor Izzo, University of Vermont - $199,710
Biochar from Biosolids and Source Separated Human Urine: Soil Health Impacts and Farmer Perspectives (LNE22-453R)
Abraham Noe-Hays, Rich Earth Institute - $175,724
Vertical Bifacial Solar Panels: A Winning Solution for Agrivoltaics and Farmers (LNE22-454R)
Dr. Bruce L. Parker, University of Vermont - $199,998
Tillage Reduction Rumble: Crimped Rye vs. Clover Living Mulch...Showdown for the Environmental and Economic Crown (ONE24-445)
Lincoln Fishman, Momentum Ag - $28,845
West Virginia
Sprout School: Developing a Comprehensive Farm to School Toolkit for Central Appalachia (ENE22-178)
Jennifer Totten, Future Generations University - $150,000
Off Grid Heating and Cooling for Greenhouses (FNE23-062)
Audra O'Dell, Random Rabbit LLC - $30,000