Minnesota SARE Travel Scholarships and Mini-Grants

The Minnesota SARE program is funded by our North Central Region SARE office via the United States Department of Agriculture. Funds are used for sustainable agriculture education and outreach in Minnesota, with the primary goal of supporting educator activities and professional development through train-the-trainer opportunities. This includes Mini Grant and Travel Scholarship funds for ag professionals (i.e., Extension, NRCS, state and tribal agencies, NGOs, etc.) and farmers to build their awareness, knowledge, and skills related to sustainable agriculture concepts. Minnesota SARE

Professional Development Funds are to be used to

• address the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of Minnesota agriculture and
• provide professional development for agricultural professionals and farmers.

Each year, Minnesota SARE awards up to SIX mini-grants and EIGHT Travel Scholarships, with priority given to topics related to the Minnesota SARE Initiatives. These will be disbursed during three open application periods. The intent is to award two Mini Grants and two to three Travel Scholarships during each open application period. All applications will be reviewed by the members of the Minnesota SARE Advisory Committee (AC) and ranked using a score sheet. 

2025 and 2026 Minnesota SARE Initiatives

• Adapting to food system disruptions
• Building resilient local food systems
• Supporting farmers
• Addressing farm labor

Mini Grant and Travel Scholarship Timelines

• July 1 through August 8, 2025

Applicants Informed:

• September 12, 2025

Minnesota SARE Mini Grant Information

Minnesota SARE Mini Grants Minnesota SARE offers Mini Grants to agricultural professionals (i.e., Extension, NRCS, state and tribal agencies, NGOs, etc) and farmers for programming in sustainable agriculture with priority given to those that relate to Minnesota SARE Initiatives. Mini Grants provide support for organized programs such as field days, farm tours, workshops, etc. Mini Grants may also be used to help fund on-farm research trials or demonstration plots as long as there is an associated outreach component. 

Minnesota SARE Travel Scholarship Information

Minnesota SARE Travel Scholarships Minnesota SARE offers Travel Scholarships to agricultural professionals (e.g., Extension, NRCS, state and tribal agencies, NGOs) and farmers to participate in professional development opportunities related to sustainable agriculture and the Minnesota SARE Initiatives. Travel Scholarships are intended to assist ag professionals and farmers to explore topics in sustainable agriculture that are new to them by attending a conference or event. A travel request meets the professional development requirement if the applicant has a plan to share the new information they learned with others via outreach events, presentations, articles, etc.