What Is NE SARE?
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NESARE) program is a regional arm of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education initiative. Its mission is to foster a sustainable agriculture system that can feed the Northeasts growing population while protecting soil, water, and biodiversity.
NESARE supports a wide spectrum of activitiesfrom onfarm research and farmertofarmer learning to community outreach and policy analysis. The program is administered by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and partners with landgrant universities, extension services, NGOs, and privatesector innovators throughout the sixstate region (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, RhodeIsland, and Vermont).
Core Program Areas
OnFarm Research
Handson projects that test new cropping systems, covercrop blends, livestock integrations, and climatesmart practices directly on working farms.
Explore ProjectsEducation & Outreach
Workshops, field days, and multimedia tools that translate research results into practical guidance for growers, educators, and consumers.
View CalendarCommunity Development
Support for local food hubs, farmer cooperatives, and youth programs that strengthen regional food systems.
Learn MorePolicy & Systems Research
Analyses of incentive programs, landuse planning, and market mechanisms that can scale sustainable practices.
Read ReportsFunding & Grants
NESARE offers competitive grant cycles that fund projects aligning with its sustainability goals. Grants are available for:
- Innovation Grants: Up to $75,000 for novel approaches to soil health, diversified cropping, or regenerative livestock.
- Education Grants: Up to $30,000 for curriculum development, training workshops, or digital learning tools.
- Community Grants: Up to $50,000 for collaborative projects that improve access to locally produced food.
- PostDoctoral Fellowships: $60,000 plus benefits for researchers conducting onfarm experiments.
Application deadlines typically fall in February and August. Successful proposals undergo a peerreview process that evaluates technical merit, relevance to regional challenges, and potential for broader impact.
Apply NowKey Resources
- NESARE Annual Report (202324) Highlights of funded projects and measurable outcomes.
- Soil Health Toolbox Practical guidelines for building resilient soils.
- CoverCrop Calculator Interactive tool for selecting regionappropriate species mixes.
- FarmertoFarmer Network Directory of mentors and peerlearning groups.
- Policy Briefs Summaries of state and federal policies affecting sustainable agriculture.
Get Connected
We welcome collaboration with growers, researchers, educators, and community leaders. Whether youre seeking funding, technical assistance, or partnership opportunities, our team is ready to help.
Email: nesare@umass.edu
Phone: (978)5550123
Mailing Address: 100 Farm Road, Amherst, MA 01003
