Virginia Agriculture Educator Mini-Grant

 Supported by Virginia SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education) at Virginia State University

Available for the first time in 2026, the Virginia Agriculture Educator Mini-Grant Program provides funding of up to $1,000 to support innovative projects that advance sustainable agriculture across the state. Designed for cooperative extension agents and other agricultural educators, this program encourages hands-on learning through demonstrations, educational programming, workshops, and simple applied-research initiatives that address local farming challenges. By offering flexible, small-scale grants, the program empowers educators to develop creative solutions, share best practices, and engage communities in adopting sustainable methods. These projects aim to strengthen knowledge networks, improve resource efficiency, and foster resilience within Virginia’s agricultural systems. To see more information or access an application see here. 

Eligibility: Cooperative extension agents, associates or specialists and other agricultural educators.

Duration of the grant: typically 12 months, from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. The project can be renewed/extended for another 12 months depending on the nature of the project.

How to apply: Send the completed application form to Peter Coffey, plcoffey@vsu.edu. Limited to one application per person/county.

Deadline: 12 p.m., May 1, 2026

Applications will be reviewed by VA SARE coordinators and assistants and approved by the VA SARE advisory committee. The awarded grants will be managed as a reimbursement account through Virginia State University. Overhead costs and salaries are not allowed. For allowable and unallowable cost associated items, please refer to the SARE website.