U.S. flag
    An official website of the United States government
      Here's how you know
    Here's how you know
    Contact UsDot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**
          
          Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
    Https**The site is secure.**
          
          The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.  National Institute of Food and Agriculture
    United States Department of Agriculture
  Menu
    Search Close
      Topics

    About Topics

NIFA supports research, educational, and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences.

View Topics Page
        Ecology Issues
  

        
      Environment
                              Natural ResourcesFarms and Ranches
  

        
      Farming and Ranching
                              Animals
                              Plants
        Health and Science
  

        
      Food Science
                              Human Science
                              Health
                              Advanced Technologies
        Future of Farming
  

        
      Business and Economics
                              Education
                              International Resources
  Grants

    About Grants

The lifecycle of grants and cooperative agreements consists of four phases: Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close Out.

View Grants Page
        Grant Basics
  

        
      Pre-Award Phase
                              Award Phase
                              Post-Award Phase
                              Close-Out Phase
                              Grant Training/Technical AssistancePrograms
  

        
      Capacity
                              Competitive (AFRI and Non-AFRI)
                              Non-Competitive
                              Program Operational Areas
        Funding Opportunities
  

        
      Search Funding Opportunities
                              Request for Application (RFA) Calendar
                              Request for Application (RFA) ListLoan Repayment
  

        
      Veterinary Medicine Loan RepaymentOur Partners
  

        
      Land-Grant University Website Directory
  Data

    Access to Data

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is committed to serving its stakeholders, Congress, and the public by using new technologies to advance greater openness.

View Data Page
        NIFA Dashboards
  

        
      NIFA Grant Funding
                              NIFA Application Status DashboardNIFA Reporting System
  

        
      NIFA Reporting SystemREEPort
  

        
      REEport Tool
        Budget and Legislation
  

        
      Budget
                              Legislation
                              NIFA Administrative ActionsMore Tools
  

        
      CRIS - Current Research Information System
                              Data Gateway
                              PRS - Peer Review System
                              LMD - Leadership Management Dashboard
                              REEIS - Research, Education and Economics Information System
                              WebNEERS
                              ASAP - Automated Standard Application for Payments
        Access Data GatewayThe Data Gateway enables users to find funding data, metrics, and information about research, education, and extension projects that have received grant awards from NIFA.
  Resources

    View Resources PageThis website houses a large volume of supporting materials. In this section, you can search the wide range of documents, videos, and other resources.View Resources Page
        Documents
  

        
      All Documents
                              Forms
                              Instructions
                              Maps
                              Official Publications and Guidelines
                              Reports
        Promotional Materials
  

        
      Fact Sheets
                              Brochures
                              Presentations
                              Infographics
                              Webinars
        Featured Webinar
    Second Annual Virtual Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

    Read More
  About

    About NIFA

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

View About Page
        News
  

        
      Newsroom
                              Press Releases
                              Blogs
                              AnnouncementsImpacts
  

        
      Featured Impact
                              All Impacts
                              NIFA Update
        The Institute
  

        
      Who We Are
                              What We Do
                              How We Work
                              USDA Administration Priorities
                              Career Opportunities
        Civil Rights
  

        
      Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights
                              Civil Rights Compliance Program
                              Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Resources
                              Diversity and Inclusion Showcase
                              Contact NIFA's Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights
                              Language Access ServicesContact Us
 woman looking at tablet in greenhouse, courtesy of Adobe Stock
    Breadcrumb
    Home
                                About Grants
                                Programs

    Sustainable Agriculture ProgramsSharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Sustainable Agriculture Programs
                            How Sustainable Agriculture Relates to Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable agriculture seeks to provide more profitable farm income, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance quality of life for farm families and communities. NIFA promotes sustainable agriculture through national program leadership and funding for research and extension. It offers competitive grants programs and a professional development program, and it collaborates with other federal agencies through the USDA Sustainable Development Council.

  Legal Definition of Sustainable AgricultureThe term ''sustainable agriculture'' (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term:Satisfy human food and fiber needs.Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends.Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls.Sustain the economic viability of farm operations.Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.Farm and Ranch PracticesFarmers and ranchers can choose many ways to improve their sustainability, and these vary from region to region, state to state and farm to farm. However, some common sets of practices have emerged, many of them aimed at greater use of on-farm or local resources. Some of those practices are described here, each contributing in some way to long-term farm profitability, environmental stewardship and improved quality of life.Integrated Pest Management (IPM)IPM is an approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in ways that minimize economic, health and environmental risks.Rotational GrazingManagement-intensive grazing systems take animals out of the barn and into the pasture to provide high-quality forage and reduced feed costs while avoiding manure buildup.Soil ConservationMany soil conservation methods, including strip cropping, reduced tillage, and no-till, help prevent loss of soil caused by wind and water erosion.Water Quality/WetlandsWater conservation and protection have become important parts of agricultural stewardship. Practices such as planting riparian buffer strips can improve the quality of drinking and surface water, as well as protect wetlands.Cover CropsGrowing plants such as rye, clover, or vetch after harvesting a grain or vegetable crop or intercropping them can provide several benefits, including weed suppression, erosion control, and improved soil nutrients and soil quality.Crop/Landscape DiversityGrowing a greater variety of crops and livestock on a farm can help reduce risks from extremes in weather, market conditions, or pests. Increased diversity of crops and other plants, such as trees and shrubs, also can contribute to soil conservation, wildlife habitat, and increased populations of beneficial insects.Nutrient ManagementProper management of manure, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients can improve the soil and protect the environment. Increased use of on-farm nutrient sources, such as manure and leguminous cover crops, also reduces purchased fertilizer costs.AgroforestryAgroforestry covers a range of tree uses on farms, including inter-planting trees (such as walnuts) with crops or pasture, growing shade-loving specialty crops in forests, better managing woodlots and windbreaks, and using trees and shrubs along streams as buffer strips.Alternative MarketingFarmers and ranchers across the country are finding that innovative marketing strategies can improve profits. Direct marketing of agricultural goods may include selling at farmers markets, roadside stands, or through the World Wide Web; delivering to restaurants and small grocers; and running community-supported agriculture (CSA) enterprises.Related Funding OpportunitiesSustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Regional Host InstitutionAgriculture and Food Research Initiative Request for Applications

  Partnerships
    Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
              North Central SARE
              Southern SARE
              Western SARE
              North East SARE

  Program type
    Emphasis Area Program

  Contact
    Vance Owens

  Related Resources
    How Sustainable Agriculture Relates to Sustainable Development
              Science Emphasis Areas Portfolios

  Funding Opportunities
    Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Regional Host Institution

  External Resources
    National Sustainable Information Service ATTRA
              USDA Office of the Chief Economist
              California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
              Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
              North Carolina Center for Environmental Farming Systems
              Sustaining Pennsylvania Agriculture
              Washington Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources

  Topics
    Sustainable Agriculture Return to top
 Your feedback is important to us. Take the Website Survey
 National Institute of Food and Agriculture
    United States Department of Agriculture
  Menu
        POLICIES AND STATEMENTS
                            Freedom of Information Act
                              Information Quality
                              Our Performance
                              Privacy Policy
                              Accessibility Statement
                              Non-Discrimination Statement
          RELATED SITES
                            USDA.Gov
                              Office of the Inspector General
                              WhiteHouse.gov
                              USA.gov
                              AskUSDA
          RESOURCES
                            Report Fraud on USDA Contracts
                              Plain Writing
                              No Fear Act Data
                              Open Government
                              Careers
                              Survey (A-11)
                              Civil Rights
                              Language Access Services
                              Archives
                              Glossary
                              Sitemap
          Stay Connected
    To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please click on the "Sign Me Up" button below.
    Twitter
      Facebook
      Linkedin
      Youtube
    Subscribe to our Newsletter
      Sign Me Up