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 Andrew McGuire 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.
How to Apply
Applications are being accepted for attending professional development events that support work related to agricultural sustainability ($1,000 max).
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please apply at least four weeks in advance of attending an event.
For more information, contact csanr@wsu.edu.
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.