Walpole, NH (December 18, 2023) –The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund, a grant partnership between the Cheshire County Conservation District and the Monadnock Food Co-op, will award $20,000 in emergency relief aid to four local farms. These farms suffered significant losses from severe weather in the spring and summer of 2023.

Local farms are essential to the integrity of a healthy, local food system and improving our community's resilience to the impacts of a changing climate. Floods, droughts, severe storms, and pest outbreaks are increasing in frequency and intensity and can have devastating effects on our local farmers. Emergency relief aid does not address the long-term resilience of farms or cover the full extent of this year's losses, but helps our farmers through one of the most challenging growing seasons to date.

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To support farm business viability and grow our local food system, the Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund also helps local farms develop their production for wholesale markets. This funding supports projects including the purchase of equipment and infrastructure, farmland conservation, packaging and labeling design needs, and technical assistance. Funding is made possible through the generous support from our local community, Monadnock Food Co-op patrons, and the You Have Our Trust Fund.

The Farm Fund is accepting applications for general funding, due February 1, 2024. For more info and application materials, visit: cheshireconservation.org/farm-fund. 

For long-term climate adaptation and mitigation on New Hampshire farms, funding is available through the NH Conservation Districts Climate Resilience Grant. This grant provides farms with up to $10,000 to implement projects that improve farm resilience to the negative impacts of climate change. Projects can include improvements in energy efficiency and renewables, water and soil quality, and integrated pest management (IPM).

The NH Conservation Districts Climate Resilience Grant is currently accepting applications, which are also due February 1, 2024. For more info and application materials, visit: cheshireconservation.org/climate. 

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About 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: monadnockfood.coop.

About The Cheshire Country Conservation District:

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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