April 22, 2026
Congratulations to the 2026 Northeast SARE Farmer Grant recipients. These farmer-led projects explore innovative research and education techniques across production systems, including vegetable, livestock, poultry, fruit, hemp, and mushroom production, agroforestry, aquaculture, and apiculture. This was a highly competitive year with 207 applications. The slate includes 33 new projects across ten states.
The funded work supports the USDA’s research priorities of Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers, Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products, and Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land.
Projects are listed by state. Follow the link for each project o learn more.
Connecticut
Bench Terracing: Converting Marginal Wooded Slopes into High-Performance Market Gardens (FNE26-139)
Jonathan Brewer, Grover Brook – $29,981
Massachusetts
Evaluation of Novel Wild Apple Hard Cider Cultivars for the Northeast (FNE26-140)
Jonathan Carr, Carr’s Ciderhouse – $17,160
Modernizing Seed Saving Techniques for African Crops to Improve Efficiency, Quantity and Quality of Expensive and Difficult to Obtain Seeds (FNE26-155)
Gertrude Malesi, Osinde Omonyenye Farm – $11,637
Automation & AI for Small-Scale Farm Efficiency: A Farmer-Led Innovation Project (FNE26-157)
Jody Mendoza, Farming is Life – $29,375
Comparison of the Efficacy of Mite-resistance Assays in Predicting Resistance Trait Heritability, Colony Mite Loads, and Overwinter Colony Survival (FNE26-164)
Angela Roell, They Keep Bees (Formerly Yard Birds Farm & Apiary) – $29,231
Maine
Modular Battery System for Efficient Single-Operator Vessel-Based Oyster Aquaculture (FNE26-144)
Greg Foote, Dirigo Marine Resources – $30,000
Comparing Solar-Powered Oyster Sorting Systems to Improve Efficiency and Sustainability in Oyster Farming (FNE26-148)
Lauren Gray, Cranberry Oysters – $30,000
Virtual Fencing vs. Net Fencing: Measuring Labor Savings and Grazing Efficiency on a Small Ruminant Farm in Rural Maine (FNE26-149)
Kimberly Grindle, Grazy Acres – $28,753
Field Testing Razor Clam Grow-Out Systems for Sustainable Aquaculture in Maine (FNE26-151)
Everett Horch, Merrymeeting Shellfish Company – $26,182
Increasing Production Efficiency of Soft-Shell Green Crabs Using Oyster Bottom Cages and Bag Density Trials (FNE26-156)
Michael Masi, shell+claw – $21,050
Developing an Automated Grader Specific to Atlantic Sea Scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, to Support the Growing New England Aquaculture Industry (FNE26-166)
Michael Scannell, Saco Bay Sea Farms LLC – $28,160
Over the Fence: Up-Scaling Resilient Woody Forage from Field Edges: Can Tree and Shrub Browse Support Dairy Cattle During Pasture Dormancy? (FNE26-169)
Elizabeth Tarantino, Wolfe’s Neck Center – $29,954
Maryland
‘Squashing’ the Nutrient Competition: Optimizing Fertility and Weed Management for Profitable Low-Till Organics (FNE26-138)
Bryan Alexander, Good Dog Farm, LLC – $25,638
Converting Discarded Pork Fat into a Value-Added Moisturizer to Increase Farm Profitability and Reduce Animal Waste (FNE26-145)
Julie Friend, Wildom Farm – $30,000
Establishing Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Feed Source in Floriculture Aquaponics (FNE26-163)
Tom Precht, Floraponics – $30,000
New Hampshire
Field Evaluation of Cold-hardy Dwarf Sour Cherry Varieties In Northern New Hampshire (FNE26-159)
Doug Morin, Tellman Hill Farm – $22,040
New Jersey
Comparative Evaluation of Rooted Cuttings vs. Mowed Vines for Cranberry Establishment (FNE26-150)
John Michael Haines, Pine Island Cranberry Co. – $30,000
New York
Secondary Compounds in Willow: Measuring Levels and Seasonal Variation of Tannins and Salicin for Livestock and Human Health (FNE26-146)
Steve and Elizabeth Gabriel, Wellspring Forest Farm LLC – $29,979
Refining Eastern Oyster Seed Production: An Efficiency Study Comparing Traditional FLUPSYs to Open Water Surface Culture (FNE26-153)
Kyra Leonardi, Stein Seafoods LLC, dba Peeko Oysters – $29,469
Cultivating Native North American Truffles: Soil Genomics and Agroforestry Protocols for the Northeast (FNE26-160)
William Padilla-Brown, MycoSymbiotics – $26,000
Ember to Earth – best practices for biochar application on small to medium farms in the NY North Country (FNE26-161)
Jennifer Perry, RIVER VALLEY REGENERATIVES – $29,996
Feasibility of Native Plant Nursery Production for Urban Farms in the Northeast (FNE26-162)
Mayda Pozantides, Groundwork Market Garden – $23,895
Farmer-Led Innovation for Small-Scale Sorghum Harvesting: Designing Tools for Soil Health and Regional Resilience (FNE26-168)
Brooke Singer, Wally, LLC – $30,000
Pennsylvania
Establishing New High-Value Medicinal Mushroom Crops (Poria cocos, Lignosus rhinocerotis) using Sustainable Controlled Environment Systems (FNE26-142)
James Cook, Performance Fungi – $30,000
Evaluating Artificial Smoke Alternatives for Honey Bee Hive Management (FNE26-147)
Mark Gingrich, Gingrich Apiaries, LLC – $19,876
Testing Natural Feed Additives for Blackhead Prevention in Pastured Turkey Flocks (FNE26-152)
Charles Lafferty, Skyline Pastures – $26,914
Smart Backyard Chicken Goes Rural: AI/ML for Sustainable Flocks (FNE26-154)
Joseph Litvak, Shomron Farm – $30,000
Growing Gandules in Short-Season Latitudes: Identifying, Improving, and Promoting Pigeon Peas for Northeastern Farms and Kitchens. (FNE26-170)
Owen Taylor, Truelove Seeds – $30,000
Rhode Island
Using NoFence Virtual Fencing to Enhance Grazing, Soil Health, and Invasive Species Management on Small Coastal Livestock Farms (FNE26-158)
Natalie Meyer, Moonstone Land and Cattle LLC – $29,730
Closed-Loop Hemp: Organic Extraction and Aerosol Recovery for Sustainable Production (FNE26-167)
Mike Simpson, Lovewell Farms, LLC – $29,640
Vermont
Low Tech Caribbean Crop Trials in Northern Vermont (FNE26-141)
Nicole Civita, JD, LL.M., Frontline Farming – $25,642
Hazelnuts for the Northeast: Trialing Next Generation Hybrids for Cold Hardiness (FNE26-143)
Tad Cooke, Double Darling Farm – $28,796
Wild-Simulated Medicinal Plant Cultivation with Community Engagement (FNE26-165)
Emily Ruff, Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary – $30,000