Walpole, NH (April 5, 2024) – The Monadnock Food Co-op & Cheshire County Conservation District announce two grant recipients for the 2024 Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund: Five Sigma Farm of Sullivan and Picadilly Farm of Winchester. The Farm Fund proudly distributed $21,400 among these two farms. Since starting in 2017, the Farm Fund has awarded over $193,400 in grants to twenty-five local farms!

The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund, created in partnership with the Cheshire Country Conservation District, has a mission 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 contributing to a healthy, sustainable food system, supporting local farmers and producers and building a strong, sustainable, and improving local economy. The Cheshire County Conservation District, fiscal agent and partner for the Farm Fund, supports farm viability in the region and promotes the responsible stewardship of natural and agricultural resources.

Five Sigma Farm, a diversified farm in Sullivan, NH, which produces pasture raised lamb and eggs, will install a mobile coop and hoop house. These projects will result in the expansion of Five Sigma Farm's pastured egg operation by doubling the number of hens which can be managed, and provide comfortable and productive winter housing for the entire flock. Both improvements will increase the efficiency of the enterprise through year-round egg production, will improve feed efficiency, while reducing farm labor inputs. Learn more about Five Sigma Farm, here!

Picadilly Farm, an organic vegetable farm in Winchester, NH, will upgrade a walk-in cooler from a cooling system that utilizes an air conditioner to a standard commercial refrigeration system. Upgrading a second walk-in cooler will double the long-term storage capacity of their root crops, allowing for year-round sales and distribution to local buyers. Additionally, the third walk-in cooler which sits in between the first (a past farm-fund awarded project) and second coolers, can be modified to be cooled by connecting one or both of the adjacent walk-ins, further maximizing on-farm storage and efficiency. Learn more about Picadilly Farm, here!

“Our Farm Fund is an essential way to invest in the future of local, sustainable farming in our region," said Michael Faber, Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager. "Especially in these times, it helps ensure we have a healthy, local food system for our community now and into the future.”

Funds for this program are provided by donations from Monadnock Food Co-op and its shoppers. Additional funds come from the You Have Our Trust Fund.

Fundraising is already underway for the 2024 Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund grant cycle. During July and August co-op shoppers can round up their change at the registers to donate to the fund.

For more information, please visit: https://www.cheshireconservation.org/farm-fund

To make a tax-deductible donation to the fund, please contact Amanda Littleton at the Cheshire Country Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext. 4 or donate anytime online at https://www.cheshireconservation.org/donate.

About the 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: https://monadnockfood.coop/

About Cheshire County Conservation District

Cheshire County Conservation District's mission is to promote the conservation and responsible use of our natural and agricultural resources for the people of Cheshire County by providing technical, financial, and educational resources. Contact Amanda Littleton for more information amanda@cheshireconservation.org, 603-756-2988 ext. 4: cheshireconservation.org.

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