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Co-op Announces Farm Fund Grant Recipients

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By Monadnock Food Co-op

Monadnock Food Co-op announces three grant recipients for the inaugural cycle of the Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund: Maning Hill Farm of Winchester, NH, Flying Cloud Dairy of Alstead, NH, and Archway Farm, of Keene, NH.

The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund, created in partnership with the Cheshire Country Conservation District, has a mission 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 a healthy, sustainable food system, the support of local farmers and producers and a strong, sustainable and improving local economy. The Cheshire County Conservation District, fiscal agent for the Farm Fund, supports farm viability in the region and promotes the responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Due to a $5000 donation by the Monadnock Food Co-op and additional donations from anonymous donors, the fund was able to distribute $9,800 between the three recipients for the 2017 grant cycle. Manning Hill Farm will install a large energy-efficient cooler in order to increase the storage capacity of the grass-fed milk they collect and distribute. Flying Cloud Dairy will install a freeze-free water system which gets water to cows more efficiently, allowing them to increase production and offerings of their organic, raw-milk dairy products. Archway Farm will build a walk-in freezer to store their own pasture-raised pork products, but also to provide freezer space for other local producers to utilize at a reasonable cost.

“We couldn’t be happier to offer these funds to these well-deserving farmers.” Said Michael Faber, Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager. “We received a total of thirteen worthy applications and wished we could have funded each and every one. We hope to double the funds available for the next grant cycle to increase the amount of projects we can support through a Round Up Donation Drive at our registers and through community donations.”

For more information, or to make a tax deductible donation to the fund, please visit www.monadnockfood.coop/farmfund or call Amanda Littleton at 603-756-2988 ext 116.

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The Local Crowd Monadnock Night at Monadnock Food Co-op

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The Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene, NH will host The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock Night on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  You’re invited to learn more about TLC Monadnock’s first two crowdfunding campaigns focused on sustainable agriculture:

Both farms will offer free samples and answer questions about their campaigns.

TLC Monadnock launched on March 15, 2017 and raised over to $3,700 from 74 supporters during its first week.  Both campaigns end on April 15, 2017.  You can contribute online to either campaign at monadnocklocal.org/tlclaunch.

“The Co-op is delighted to support the work of The Local Crowd and Monadnock Buy Local.  The work they are doing to support and grow our community and economy is remarkable,” said Megan Megan Straughen, Events, Education & Sustainability Coordinator at Monadnock Food Co-op.  “It’s wonderful to see different types of organizations coming together to help grow sustainable agriculture in our region.”

TLCM Night at Co-op Poster

TLC Monadnock is a locally based crowdfunding platform that empowers individuals to support the businesses, organizations and initiatives that grow wealthier and healthier communities in the region.  Crowdfunding, or the practice of raising funds to support a project from a large number of people, is a viable alternative to recruiting businesses from outside the region to boost economic activity.

This project is part of a two-year research study funded by a USDA Small Business Innovation Research grant to gauge this platform’s effectiveness in rural areas.  During its pilot phase, TLC Monadnock will only accept campaign proposals from businesses, organizations or community initiatives based in Keene, Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Swanzey or Winchester.  TLC Monadnock will give preference to campaigns from these communities that align with their respective city or town’s master plan and contribute to a local, green and fair economy.

TLC Monadnock is a collaboration of regional economic development organizations working to cultivate a stronger ecosystem of investors, service providers and local economy champions.  A team of community leaders from Southwest Region Planning Commission, Monadnock Buy Local, New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, Monadnock Economic Development Corporation and Hannah Grimes Center manages this crowdfunding platform.

Discover more details and updates at monadnocklocal.org or contact Jen Risley at jen@monadnocklocal.org or 603-499-7950.

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Save the Date: NH Harvest of the Month Kick-Off Event

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NH Harvest of the Month Kick-Off Event
Classrooms, Cafeterias and Communities
Wednesday, May 3, 4pm – 6pm
Stonewall Farm, Keene, NH

New Hampshire Harvest of the Month provides ready-to-go educational materials that can be utilized by classroom and home educators, food service professionals, farmers, families, and more! The website offers healthy recipes highlighting the monthly fruit or vegetable that can be adapted to fit the needs of both food service professionals as well as individuals and families.

Join Monadnock Farm & Community Coalition for this kick-off event.

Their goal is to promote seasonal eating, encourage healthy diets and support the local economy.

More details coming…