Walpole, NH (May 13, 2022) – The Monadnock Localvores are proud to announce that thirty local youth have been awarded the 2022 Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship award. 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. When asked what they hope to gain this summer, one young awardee noted, “Having a life skill forever”.
The Jeffrey P. Smith Farm 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.
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. Seeing himself as a "steward" instead of an "owner" of the land, he felt the earth was entrusted to us for safe keeping during our lifetimes, to be passed along intact to future generations. With an eager and vibrant sense of life, his every activity was geared towards improving the lives of others and the environment through giving freely of his time and efforts. To keep alive that vision, the Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship Program was initiated in August 2009. The program's purpose is to send children to an area farm camp to discover the inherent rewards that come from cultivating with one's hands and heart.
Food travels an average of 1500 miles before it ends up on your dinner plate. The Localvore movement is working to change this statistic, for the benefit of our health, palate, local farms, the environment and the community. Now in its fifteenth year, The Monadnock Localvores are focused on encouraging the eating, growing, and buying of more local food. For more information about the program, visit: https://www.cheshireconservation.org/monadnock-localvores
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, Food Connects Employee Donation Fund, Cheshire County Farm Bureau, and the Keene Lions Club Foundation.
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 “Localvore” 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: Benee Hershon at 603-756-2988 x3011 or email benee@cheshireconservation.org
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 the Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext.4.
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