Southern SARE Projects in Virginia
Current Grants
Check out the current projects conducted by SARE grantees in Virginia. For a full list of SARE projects in Virginia please visit the Virginia SARE Grant List.
Research Grants are competitive grants for teams of interdisciplinary researchers to encourage a systems approach in sustainable agriculture.
- Living Understories in Apple Orchards for Improved Quality of Fruit, Cider and Rural Life (Dr. Susan Whitehead, Dr. Alexandria Igwe, Dr. Catherine Larochelle - Virginia Tech)
Professional Development Program Grants further education and outreach strategies for professionals and educators who work directly with farmers and ranchers.
- Expanding the Agroforestry Regional Knowledge (ARK) Exchange Network in Virginia (Dr. Katie Trozzo, Dr. Eric S. Bendfeldt, Dr. Kim Niewolny, Adam Taylor - Virginia Tech, Herbert Brown, Jr. - Virginia State University's Small Farm Outreach Program)
- Training on Accessible Apiculture for People and Veterans with Disabilities thru Virtual and Onsite training (Justin Ruger - Accessible Beekeeping)
Producer Grants enable farmers and ranchers to test a sustainable agriculture idea using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique.
- A Comparison of the Microbiome Population Induced by Different Microbial Foods for the Production of a Safe and Effective Aerated Compost Tea (Nicky Schauder - Permaculture Gardens LLC)
- Comparing the Profitability of Five Winter Salad Greens Under Heated, Minimally Heated, and Unheated High Tunnel Conditions (Hailey Sowden - Crooked Porch Farm)
- Investigating Production Capabilities and Uses of Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Organic Waste Processing in the Urban Environment (Dave Littere - Future Acres Urban Farming)
- Progress Towards a Dwarf Edible Winter Pea for Companion Planting with Wheat (Jason Myers-Benner - Tangly Woods)
- Summer and Winter Squash Research and Breeding for the Southeast (Edmund Frost - Common Wealth Seed Growers)
- Supporting African Crop Growers in Virginia: Cultivating Fresh Vegetables and Accessing Markets (Patience Fielding - Esther Manor Farm)
- Systems Approach to Building Whole Farm Health and Vibrant Agrarian Communities: Viability of Intercropping and Livestock Integration on Southwest VA (Daniel Austin - Green Sprig Ag)
On-Farm Research Grants provide opportunities for agriculture professionals working directly with farmers and ranchers on sustainable agriculture efforts
- Creating Sustainable Construction Opportunities Using Virginia Wool (Daniel Hindman - Virginia Tech)
- Reducing early season cucumber beetle pressure with semiochemical augmented trap-out approach (Dr. Thomas Kuhar - Virginia Tech)
Graduate students must be enrolled full time; their projects must address sustainable agriculture issues of current and potential importance to the Southern region.
- Alternative Approaches to Diamondback Moth Management: An Analysis of Mating Disruption Techniques in Virginia (Dr. Thomas Kuhar, Taylore Sydnor - Virginia Tech)
- Quantifying Cattle Surface Water Use In Response To Fescue Toxicosis (John Fike, Durga P Dhakal - Virginia Tech)
- Sustainable Green Corn Ceremony Restoration Program at a Land Grant Institution (SGCRP) (Dr. Donna Westfall-Rudd, Bryce Burrell - Virginia Tech)
- The impacts of mustard cover crops and seed meal on non-target soil arthropods, microbial community, and crop productivity (Dr. Arash Rashed, Usha Panta - Virginia Tech)
Previous Grants
This research was conducted by SARE grantees in Virginia over the past 5 years. For a full list of SARE projects in Virginia please visit the Virginia SARE Grant List, funded through USDA Southern SARE.
- Biological Recycling of Agricultural Residues with Mushroom for Multidimensional Use (Dr. Adnan Yousuf, Dr. Asmare Atalay, Dr. Chyer Kim, Dr. Theresa Nartea, Dr. Eunice Ndegwa, Dr.Laban Rutto - Virginia State University)
- Development and Evaluation of IPM System Components for Insect Pests and Pathogens of Cucurbit Crops in the Southeastern U.S. (Dr. Thomas Kuhar - Virginia Tech)
- Silvopasture for Poultry Production with Outdoor Access (Dr. Leonie Jacobs, John Fike, Dr.John Munsell, Gabriel Pent - Virginia Tech)
- A Modular Curriculum for Growing Food Grain for the Local Market (Dr. Heather Coiner - Common Grain Alliance)
- Empowering Farmers, Farmers Market Managers, and Gleaners to Safely Address Local Hunger and Food Insecurity (Dr. Harry Schonberger, Dr. Renee Boyer, Dr.Tiffany Drape, Dr.Laura Strawn - Virginia Tech and Allyson Ey - Society of St. Andrew)
- Organic Soil Health Education Online Course and Resources for the Southern SARE Region Farmers and Ranchers (Brise Tener - Org Farming Research Foundation)
- Advancing Comprehensive, Peer-to-Peer Soil Health Training across Virginia (Rory Maguire, Mary Sketch - Virginia Tech and William Crutchfield - Virginia State University)
- Effects of Using a Native Legume as a Cover Crop in a Small Scale Vegetable Production (Patrick Johnson - NANIH Farm and Garden, Inc.)
- Small Grains on Very Small Farms (Michael Grantz - Great Day Gardens)
- Adjustable Farrier Stocks for Draft Power (Lincoln Montgomery-Rogers - DVM)
- Cluster Protection Shelter to Reduce Fungicide Usage in Conventional and Organic Vineyards (Dr. Mizuho Nita - Virginia Tech)
- Development of a Safer Vehicle for Draft Animal Use (Lincoln Montgomery-Rogers - DVM AVS)
- Evaluation of Current VA Peanut Cultivars and Advanced Breeding Lines for Southern Corn Rootworm Resistance (Sally Taylor - Virginia Tech)
- Killing Perennial Weeds Using Light Blocking Tarps (Shawn Jadrnicek - Virginia Cooperative Extension)
- Tapping New Forest Farming Opportunities in Central Appalachia Through Black Walnut Syrup Production (Dr. A.L. Hammett - Virginia Tech)