Local farms sustain communities.
Small, local farms and farmers' markets are an integral part of a system of sustainable agriculture. Foods that are locally grown and consumed are fresher, more nutritious and require less energy to store and transport than food that is grown by large industrial farms and transported long distances to market. There are a variety of charitable and government grants, as well as government supported public and private partnerships, that support local farms and farmers' markets.
Types of Support for Local Farms
Many non-profit organizations and government programs exist that fund specific aspects of local and community based agriculture. There is financial support available in such areas as local food systems, community food projects, organic farming education and training programs for beginning farmers. Research each organization and program carefully and review the list of grants and requirements before deciding where to apply for support for your project.
Local Charities
Local non-profit and grassroots charities generally fund projects within their immediate geographical areas. To find local organizations working in your area, review the resources of an organization such as the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition -- an alliance of local food and farming members. Find a non-profit that operates in your area and whose mission most closely aligns with your own project.
Government Grants for Local Farms
Government support is also available in the form of grants for various projects that benefit local farmers, community farming and sustainable agriculture. These grants can be researched in the same way as charitable grants and are applied for through NIFA -- the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Grant topics, deadlines and eligibility information can be searched and applications can be filed through the NIFA website.
Narrow Your Focus
When applying for a grant, whether from a charitable organization or a government program, make sure that your need is specific and your focus narrow. Most grants and programs are for very precise and concrete types of support. A general desire to start a farm or support one will generally not be successful as a proposal and will not win funding. New projects and new agricultural enterprises that benefit the community are generally favored in all types of grant applications.
