Walpole, NH (February 22, 2024) – The New Hampshire Conservation Districts are excited to once again request proposals from land trusts who seek funding to work with NH farms to conserve their land and improve the viability of their farm business.

The mission of the NH Farm Future Fund is to provide funding for farm viability planning in concert with the conservation of important agricultural soils. This program will leverage the singular opportunity of putting a conservation easement on farmland to also invest in the future viability of the farm business. The goal of this fund is to ensure that farmland is conserved, productive, and available for future generations. 

There is $100,000 available in the 2024 funding cycle. Awards no greater than $20,000 will be considered. The NH Farm Future Fund is an integrated approach to funding farm viability, farmland conservation, and farmland access. Funding is available to support activities in two broad categories: financial assistance to offset costs associated with farmland conservation projects, and technical assistance to support farm business viability and succession planning. 

Land trust applicants should be committed to bringing together experts in land conservation, succession planning, and farm viability to advance the farm’s business goals. Eligible Applicants must be nonprofit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that have land conservation as their primary function and are actively working to conserve farmland in the state of New Hampshire.

Before applying for a NH Farm Future grant, applicants should carefully review the request for proposals and application materials. Prospective applicants must schedule their discovery meeting no later than March 31st. Application materials are available at www.cheshireconservation.org/nhfff

Completed applications are due on May 31, 2024 and can be submitted digitally. Applications must be emailed by the due date. Proposals can be emailed to amanda@cheshireconservation.org Successful grant applicants will be notified of award by mid July 2024.

The Farm Future Fund is a grant program that is privately funded and administered by the Cheshire County Conservation District on behalf of the New Hampshire Conservation Districts. Key partners in making this grant possible are the NH Community Loan Fund and Land for Good. Funding is provided by the You Have Our Trust Fund and the Madison Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation. For further information, to discuss project proposals, or donations to the grant program contact: Amanda Littleton at (603) 756-2988 ext.4  or amanda@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 Amanda Littleton at 603-756-2988 ext.4 or email at amanda@cheshireconservation.org



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