Walpole, NH (November 6, 2024) –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 ninth year, the Farm Fund has awarded over $193,000 in grants to 25 local farms.

The Farm Fund helps local farms develop their production for wholesale markets, including selling to the Monadnock Food Co-op and Food Connects. Funding supports a range of projects, including the purchase of equipment and infrastructure, farmland conservation, packaging and labeling design needs, and technical assistance.

This year, the Farm Fund will award up to $32,000 to help farms in Cheshire County and abutting New Hampshire towns to 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 $20,000.

Learn more about past Farm Fund recipients.

Interested farmers are invited to an online information session on Tuesday, December 17th from 6:00-7:00PM. The information session is an opportunity for interested applicants to get their questions answered and to discuss their project proposals. Registration is required, here!

A Request for Proposals and an application are available at: cheshireconservation.org/farm-fund. 

Applications are due February 1, 2025

"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." 

Tax-deductible donations to this fund can be made to the Cheshire

County Conservation District, at cheshireconservation.org/donate. 

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, to apply for a grant, or donate to the fund, please call Amanda Littleton at the Conservation District at (603)756-2988 ext. 4.

About Monadnock Food Co-op:

The Monadnock Food Co-op is a community-owned food store offering a diverse selection of local, organic, and natural foods to the Monadnock region. The Co-op is located at 34 Cypress Street in Keene, right off of Main Street via Eagle Court: monadnockfood.coop.

About The Cheshire Country 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 contact Amanda Littleton at 603-756-2988 ext.4 or email at amanda@cheshireconservation.org

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