SARE Professional Development Program

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The USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program (PDP) first received funding from the U.S. Congress in 1994. The SARE PDP is designed to help Extension, Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other agricultural professionals increase their ability to respond to the needs of farmers, ranchers, and the public regarding sustainable agriculture concepts and systems.

In Washington State, SARE PDP is part of WSU’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR).  The goal of our professional development program is to help WSU Extension, CDs, NRCS, and other agency personnel to gain knowledge and skills that will help them serve their constituents in these areas to promote the health of Washington’s people, land, and communities.

The state coordinator for the program is Chad Kruger and the PDP faculty committee includes representatives from across Washington and across CSANR program areas. The CSANR Advisory Committee, made up of individuals from various sectors of Washington’s diverse agriculture, provide external advice and guidance to CSANR and the professional development program coordinator and faculty committee.

2024 SARE PDP Needs Assessment Survey

This survey allows us to assess how we may need to adjust program efforts to support the continuing education and professional development training for agricultural professionals through the 2025-2028 period. The survey will close on April 12th, 2024.

Agricultural professionals include (but are not limited to):

  • Extension
  • University faculty with Extension capacity
  • Conservation Districts
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  • Washington State Department of Agriculture
  • Other governmental agency with agricultural capacity
  • Non-governmental organizations with agricultural missions
  • Farm advisors
  • Crop consultants

2021 SARE PDP Needs Assessment Report

The WSARE Professional Development Program is designed to provide funding to agriculture professionals both within the academic setting and throughout the agriculture and conservation industry. This report outlines key topical interests moving forward in professional development programming, and provides insight into priority topics to fund for the 2022-2024 period.

2024 Request for Proposals

Proposals are being accepted for attending an event for professional development that supports work related to agricultural sustainability ($1,000 max). If you are interested in hosting an event for an agricultural professional audience that supports work related to agricultural sustainability, please contact CSANR for partnership opportunities.

Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to submit proposals well ahead of event dates. For attending grants, proposals are requested at least four weeks in advance. Please read carefully and follow instructions.

For more information, please contact Katie Doonan at kathryn.doonan@wsu.edu.