Monadnock Food Co-op (MFC) Farm Fund

Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) and Monadnock Food Co-op (MFC)

Agency: Foundation

GrantWatch ID #193513

Grant Description

Grants of up to $20,000 to New Hampshire farms in eligible locations to increase food production and improve sales. Funding is intended to address a wide range of needs including, but not limited to, the purchase of equipment or infrastructure, packaging and labeling design needs, farmland conservation, and technical assistance. Eligible applicants are located in Cheshire County and abutting New Hampshire towns.

The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund's mission is 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 building a healthy, sustainable food system, supporting local farmers and producers, and contributing to a strong, sustainable, and improving local economy.

This year, the Farm Fund will award funding to help farms in Cheshire County and abutting New Hampshire towns develop or expand their production for wholesale markets, including selling to the Monadnock Food Co-op and Food Connects.

The Monadnock Food Co-op (MFC) in partnership with the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) request proposals from farms who seek funding to make investments in the following areas:

Food safety planning and infrastructure
Equipment for efficient and sustainable food production and harvesting
Food storage infrastructure
Equipment for value-added food production
Packaging and labeling development, including the design of logos
Cost share for technical assistance including business and financial planning from the NH Community Loan Fund or other reputable providers

New in 2023:

Critical farm infrastructure and necessary capital improvements for long-term farm viability. This project category is only available for farms who have been established and contributing to the agricultural economy for more than ten years.
Support for farmland conservation (this could include succession planning and attorney fees associated with the permanent protection of farmland)

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Eligibility:

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible applicants include farms in Cheshire County and abutting NH towns that would like to develop or expand their production for wholesale markets, including the Monadnock Food Co-op and Food Connects.

Farm businesses in operation for at least one year and have secure access (own, lease) to land on which the operator is farming. If renting, the lease must be in writing, and have a term long enough for the farmer to complete the proposed improvement project and see a return on the investment. To receive funding a farm must operate in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The following will not be funded:
● Farm staff time
● Advertising
● Research and feasibility studies
● Efforts that will not lead to increased production and wholesale sales
● Day to day operational costs (e.g. seeds, mulch, fertilizer, etc.)

Pre-proposal Conference:

Interested farmers are invited to attend one of two Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund Zoom Informational Sessions Registration is required.

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022 at 6:00PM. To Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monadnock-food-co-op-farm-fund-informational-session-1-tickets-443741792647

Thursday, January 5th, 2023 at 6:00PM. To Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monadnock-food-co-op-farm-fund-informational-session-2-tickets-443743246997

Pre-Application Information:

Timeline:
- RFP is available. November 1, 2022
- Optional Zoom Informational Sessions, Registration Required: Wednesday, December 7th, 2022 at 6:00PM and Thursday, January 5th, 2023 at 6:00PM
- Proposals are due. February 1, 2023
- Proposal review process. Applicants may be contacted for additional information to clarify the project. February 1-28, 2023
- Project ends and report and photos are due. December 31, 2023

The proposal can be submitted digitally or by hard copy in the mail. Applications must be postmarked by the due date.

Program participants must provide receipts verifying expenditures have occurred within the contract period prior to receiving grant funds.

Interested farmers can view a recording of the 2023 Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund Zoom Informational Session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4faIjP4YXa8

Additional Funding Information:

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$40,000

Estimated Size of Grant:

Awards no less than $500 and no greater than $20,000 will be considered.

Term of Contract:

Project must be completed and the final report submitted by December 31, 2023. If necessary, grantee may request an extension of the grant period or return unused funds.

Contact Information:

Proposals Mailed to:
Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund
Cheshire County Conservation District
11 Industrial Park Dr
Walpole NH 03608

Or email to:
Amanda@cheshireconservation.org

For further information, and to discuss project ideas contact: Amanda Littleton at (603) 756-2988 ext.4 or at the email address above.