National Farmers Day: Help Build a Brighter Future for Farmers!
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Good morning!
American Farmland Trust’s Brighter Future Fund was launched in 2020 to assist farmers in diversifying, growing, and sustaining farms in the face of challenges to the food and agricultural system. The grants are used to help improve farm viability, enable farmers to access, transfer or permanently protect farmland or adopt regenerative agricultural practices.
This year, American Farmland Trust gave away over 1 million dollars to over 200 farmers located across 44 states and Puerto Rico while prioritizing support for farmers identifying as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, female, or beginning thanks to the support from their main sponsor, Tillamook and many other organizations and individuals like you.
Here are some of the grant recipients’ stories.
Nelson Hawkins, We Grow Urban Farm | West Sacramento, California
Nelson Hawkins didn’t imagine growing up to be a farmer. However, he found a passion for sustainable agriculture and pursued practical farm experience and a degree to understand how farming and food systems work. Eventually, he started We Grow Urban Farm in 2018, and the farm has been steadily growing since now entering its fifth season.
“With a strong passion for leaving the world better than I found it, I wanted to use agriculture as a way to make a positive impact on communities in need,” Nelson shares. “My urban farm is in a neighborhood classified as a ‘food desert’ according to the USDA’s definition. Our role at this site is to provide fresh and affordable produce to the surrounding neighborhood to help address food insecurity and provide work and educational opportunities for youth.”
With funds from the Brighter Future Fund, Nelson plans to purchase a walk-behind tractor to make the small farm more productive and efficient while moving away from relying on hand tools and borrowing or renting tractors.
Elaine and Mike Vandiver, Old Homestead Alpacas | Walla Walla, Washington
After transitioning from their military careers, Elaine and Mike Vandiver settled in Walla Walla, Washington, and bought a plot of land which came with some bonus alpacas, and eventually, established Old Homestead Alpacas. Today, Elaine and Mike produce beautiful, naturally dyed garments using yarn spun from alpaca fleece. The dye comes from heirloom cut flowers grown right alongside the alpacas. This year, the farm received a Brighter Future Fund grant to help Elaine protect the flowers she grows from devastating winds.
About American Farmland Trust (AFT):
AFT is the only national conservation organization dedicated to protecting farmland, promoting environmentally sound farming practices , and keeping farmers on the land. AFT’s programs include the Women for the Land initiative, the Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) program connecting farmers to schools, and resources and training for a new generation of farmers through the Farms for a New Generation program.
Since 1980, AFT’s innovative work has helped to permanently protect more than 6.8 million acres of farmland and ranchland and has led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more. Learn more at farmland.org.