We're getting ready for one of our favorite times of the year -- NH Eats Local Month!

In addition to sharing more about this campaign, this quarter's Monadnock Food Co-op Producer E-Newsletter highlights opportunities that cultivate more viable businesses and environmental stewardship.

We know you're busy, but please check out the resources below. As always, feel free to reach out with your questions and feedback.

Yours locally,

Jen Risley

Monadnock Food Co-op Community Coordinator

The Local Crowd Monadnock Program Manager

Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen -- one that would strengthen your business, our community, and the local economy -- if only you had the funds to make it happen? Learn how crowdfunding with The Local Crowd Monadnock can help.

Past campaign leaders include Village Roots Permaculture, Orchard Hill Breadworks, and many other local producers, growers, and independent businesses. Collectively, The Local Crowd Monadnock has raised over $400K for businesses just like yours!

Grainsheds are transforming rural economies while engaging community stakeholders across professions. Grainsheds build and connect regional grain supply chains to support local businesses and empower rural economies, they create cohesive networks that enhance collaboration between local growers, processors, and makers, while also increasing awareness and understanding of the value of regional grains. This session provides a platform for speakers from different roles throughout the grainshed to share its impact, and to provide a toolkit for attendees to build and engage their regional grianshed.

Speakers: Emily Cayer, Northeast Grainshed Alliance; Andrea Stanley, maltster and miller, Valley Malt and Ground Up Grain; Lenny Bussanich, River Valley Community Grains; Barry Labendz, brewer, Kent Falls Brewing Co.; Sarah Cox, farmer, miller, and CSA, Tuckaway Farm.

* Also SAVE THE DATE: On September 20 at 6 p.m., Cheshire Country Conservation District, Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition, and Northeast Grainshed Alliance will host a FREE gathering for local businesses (farmers, brewers, bakers, distillers, etc.) about the Grainshed movement the evening before Radically Rural starts.  For more details and to RSVP, please contact Benée Hershon at benee@cheshireconservation.org or call 603-756-2988 ext. 3011.

Granite State Market Match provides access to affordable, local food for SNAP participants and economic benefits to the participating vendors, farmers, and host communities. If you have a farm stand, farmers market, or CSA and would like to begin accepting SNAP benefits and offering Granite State Market Match, please contact info@cheshireconservation.org, 603-756-2988 ext.4.

This program allows SNAP recipients to double the value of their benefits when shopping at participating farmers' markets, CSAs, and farm stands in NH. For example, spend $10 in SNAP benefits at a farmers market and receive an additional $10 to spend on fresh, locally-grown vegetables and fruit.

The NH County Conservation Districts have launched this farm viability program to improve the resilience of NH farms in the face of extreme weather events and a changing climate. Direct grants to farms to invest in on-farm infrastructure, equipment, and innovative practices will support farm profitability and the long-term viability of NH’s agricultural sector.

The Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar (CSS) project brings together farmers, investors, and champions to use available financial models to help local farms benefit from the renewable energy economy. This project stabilizes and lowers the costs of electricity for participating farms through the Community Supported Solar framework and, in turn, increases the viability of those farms.

Thanks to the generous support of our community through a recent crowdfunding campaign, farmers can now save 21% off of our solar shares. One solar share now costs $3,570. Accessible annual payment plans of $714 for five years are also available.

Interested farmers should contact CCCD directly to reserve their shares, available on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Contact benee@cheshireconservation.org or call 607-756-2988 x 3011 and leave a voicemail.

Are you a producer or handler of agricultural products that are certified organic? Or, are you transitioning your operation to certified organic? You may be eligible for financial assistance to cover expenses paid during fiscal year 2022 through USDA’s Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

NH Eats Local Month offers a no-cost, in-kind promotional partnership opportunity. This event aims to connect Granite Staters with farmers, restaurants, food producers, markets, farm stands, and other food-related businesses.

Live outside of NH? Check out the Eat Indie Local movement and sign on as a partner.

As part of NH Eats Local Month, Monadnock Food Co-op will host an outdoor event in the amphitheater (behind the Co-op). This event will celebrate local farms and producers and is an excellent opportunity for community members to meet YOU! Sign up to become a vendor here. Have questions? Contact Megan and outreach@monadnockfood.coop or 603-283-5401.

Several Monadnock farms are opening their barns, pastures, hoop houses, flower gardens, and a pudding plant to foster a better understanding of their day-to-day lives, working to bring food to our tables. The goal of the Monadnock Farm Tour is to provide rich experiences that are educational and fun for consumers while infusing much-needed income into the pockets of local farmers. Monadnock Farm Tour, hosted by Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition, includes the following farms:

Ready to begin selling (or selling more) to Monadnock Food Co-op? Please reach out directly to Store Manager Stephanie Wright at 603-355-8008 or storemanager@monadnockfood.coop to set up a time to meet with her and any relevant department buyers or share feedback.