Applications Due February 1, 2020

The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund program, in partnership with the Cheshire County Conservation District, is now accepting applications from local farmers. Currently, in its fourth year, the fund has supported nine farms in the Monadnock Region.

This year, the Farm Fund will award up to $27,000 to help farms in Cheshire County and abutting New Hampshire towns develop or expand their production for wholesale markets, including selling to the Monadnock Food Co-op and Food Connects. Farmers may apply for grants ranging from $500 to $10,000. Funds can be used to support a range of projects, including the purchase of equipment and infrastructure, packaging and labeling design needs, and technical assistance.

Interested farmers are invited to attend one of two Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund Information Sessions:

• Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 12 p.m. at the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene
• Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 12 p.m. at the Cheshire County Conservation District Office in Walpole

Information session details and registration are at monadnockfood.coop/farmfund.

“The Farm Fund empowers local farmers to grow their businesses to help them become more financially sustainable,” said Michael Faber, Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager. “It also helps the co-op broaden its offerings of locally grown, raised, and made foods – that means more local food for you, your family, and our community.”
A Request for Proposals and an application are available at monadnockfood.coop/farmfund. Applications are due February 1, 2020.

Tax-deductible donations to this fund can be made to the Cheshire County Conservation District at cheshireconservation.org/make-a-donation. Additional fundraising activities will occur at the Monadnock Food Co-op, including a Round It Up Donation Drive in January & February 2020.

The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund’s mission is to support local farmers in increasing sustainable food production and wholesale sales to contribute to a thriving local farm economy. This grant supports several of the co-op’s goals, including building a healthy, sustainable food system, supporting local farmers and producers, and contributing to a strong, sustainable, and improving local economy.

For more information on eligibility, please visit monadnockfood.coop/farmfund or call Amanda Littleton at the Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext. 4.