The Louisiana State University AgCenter (LSUAC) in partnership with the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC), is working together to implement programs that enhance the capabilities of Louisiana's agriculture professionals in the area of sustainable agriculture. 

Educational initiatives include workshops and long-distance education training sessions, field trips, resource manuals and informational bulletins. For more information, see Events.

What Is Sustainable Agriculture? Sustainable Agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices that: satisfies human food and fiber needs, enhances environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which agriculture depends, makes the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources, integrates natural biological cycles and controls, maintains the economic viability of farm operations, enhances the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole. (from the 1990 Farm Bill, The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade (FACT) Act of 1990)

More About SARE

Since 1988, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The program is part of USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Serivice (CSREES) is managed in partnership with regional land grant hosts, and funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems.
To advance such knowledge nationwide, SARE administers a competitive grants program first funded by Congress in 1988. Grants are offered through four regions -- North Central, Northeast, South and West -- under the direction of councils that include farmers and ranchers along with representatives from universities, government, agribusiness and nonprofit organizations.

The Southern Region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

SOUTHERN SARE PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

The objective of the SARE program is to enable the full spectrum of farmers and ranchers to move profitably toward production systems compatible with the concept of sustainable agriculture. Specific objectives include:

• Promote good stewardship of the nation's natural resources by providing site specific and profitable sustainable farming and ranching methods that strengthen agricultural competitiveness; satisfy human food and fibre needs; maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil; conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat;
• protect endangered species; and maintain and improve the quality of surface and groundwater;  Protect the health and safety of persons involved in the food/farm system;  
• Enhance the quality of life for farmers/ranchers and society as a whole, in part by increasing income and employment - especially profitable self-employment opportunities in agriculture and rural communities. Specifically, a major goal is to strengthen the family farm system of agriculture, a system characterized by small- and moderate-sized farms that are principally owner operated;  
• Promote crop, livestock, and enterprise diversification and the well-being of animals, and
• Strengthen rural communities by creating economic conditions, including value-added products that foster locally owned business and employment opportunities.

Chris Robichaux , Ph.D.
LA SARE Co-State Coordinator              Southern University Ag Center                    Area Horticulturist
114 Courthouse Street
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517                           Phone: 337-332-2181                                FAX: 337-332-2870                                  email: chris_robichaux@suagcenter.com

Carl Motsenbocker, Ph.D.
LA SARE Co-State Coordinator
Louisiana State University AgCenter
School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences
137 Julian Miller Hall
Baton Rouge, LA  70803
Phone: 225 578 1036
FAX: 225 578 1068
email: cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu

Robert Williams

LA SARE PDP Assistant
Louisiana State University AgCenter
School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences
137 Julian Miller Hall
Baton Rouge, LA  70803
Phone:    225 578 1037
FAX:       225 578 1068