Walpole, NH (May 18, 2026) – The Cheshire County Conservation District is thrilled to announce that twenty one local youth representing six Cheshire County towns have been awarded the 2026 Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship award. Towns represented include Keene, Marlborough, Stoddard, Winchester, Langdon, and Surry. Ten of these scholarships were awarded to youth who participate in the Keene Housing Kids Collaborative Programs. Congratulations to this year's recipients!

All scholarship recipients demonstrated a desire to learn more about farming and gardening. Through the scholarship they will have the opportunity to attend a farm camp of their choice this summer.

The Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship endeavors to connect young people with agriculture and the natural world around them. We hope to inspire the next generation of local farmers and local food supporters, by giving regional children an opportunity, through summer camp, to experience sustainable farming practices first-hand and watch their efforts bear fruit.

The Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship was first created in honor of Jeffrey P. Smith. During his lifetime, Jeff Smith, a former member of the Monadnock Localvore Steering Committee, was an enthusiastic supporter of sustainability and local agriculture. He firmly believed in the connection of all living things and stressed the importance of working in harmony with the systems of the universe. He dedicated much of his life helping others and the environment surrounding him. Seeing himself as a “steward” instead of an “owner” of the land, he felt the earth was entrusted to us for safekeeping during our lifetimes, to be passed along intact to future generations.

To keep that vision alive, the Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship Program was created in August 2009. As of 2026, the name has been changed to the Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship to be more descriptive of it's intention.

In lieu of continuing to honor Jeffrey P. Smith, one scholarship recipient was chosen as the Jeffrey P. Smith Awardee for their shared love and commitment to land stewardship. Congratulations to that recipient and thank you for carrying on Jeffrey's legacy!

For more information about the program, visit: cheshireconservation.org/cheshire-kids

This year’s scholarship was made by possible from the generous contribution of private donors, local organizations, and is administered by the Cheshire County Conservation District.

Thank you to this year’s local sponsors: the Elm City Rotary Club, the Keene Lions Foundation, the Rotary Club of Keene, The Homestead Garden Club, Hubbard Farms and the Cheshire County Farm Bureau.

If you would like to make a donation to support future funding of the Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship, please do so on our website: www.cheshireconservation.org/donate

Donations to the fund may also be made by mail, checks can be made payable to "CCCD" and addressed to 11 Industrial Park Dr., Walpole, NH 03608. Please include “Cheshire Kids Scholarship” in the memo line. Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and make a difference!

Interested future applicants are encouraged to subscribe to CCCD's newsletter for application updates, and to stay connected on CCCD's Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn as well!

For further information, or to be added to an email list to be notified of next year’s application, contact: 603-904-3011 or info@cheshireconservation.org

About Cheshire County Conservation District

The Cheshire County Conservation District promotes the conservation and responsible use of our natural and agricultural resources for the people of Cheshire County by providing technical, financial, and educational assistance. Our goal is to encourage the stewardship of healthy soils, productive ecologically sound farms, diverse wildlife, productive sustainable forests, healthy watersheds, and clean water to ensure those resources are available for future generations. Established in 1945, the Conservation District operates out of Walpole, NH where we work alongside the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and other conservation partners For more information contactinfo@cheshireconservation.orgor 603-904-3011.

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