A second round of grants available for Berkshire farmers and landowners to enhance land access, farm transition and farmland protection.
In the first grant round, four farms each received $2500 grants to offset costs associated with planning for the transition of the farm to a next generation.
Second round applications open! Applications will be received on a rolling basis. To be considered in the second grant round, applications must be received by July 31, 2015.
The John P. Farkas Fund is Administered by American Farmland Trust, in collaboration with Land For Good, Berkshire Grown, The Carrot Project, and Sheffield Land Trust. Read the press release.
Grant guidelines and application are available below.
The Berkshire region of Massachusetts has a rich and established farm and food culture. Agriculture is a key to the flavor and identify of the place.
The Berkshire Farmland Initiative works to put more farmers on the land and more land into farming. We help farmers and landowners connect with each other. We offer information, resources and support.
The Berkshire Farmland Initiative will offer workshops, professional training, community meetings, a resources directory of technical assistance providers and support organizations, and a farm transfer mini-grant program.
The Berkshire Farmland Initiative is a collaboration of Berkshire Grown, The Carrot Project, and Land For Good in partnership with organizations committed to supporting farming in the Berkshires.
The Berkshire Farmland Initiative is supported in part by the Lawson Valentine Foundation and the Cedar Tree Foundation. Assistance for farm succession planning is made possible by a generous donor.
Farm Seekers Toolbox. Worksheets, guides, tutorials, sample leases and more.
Farm Transfer Planning Toolbox. Worksheets, guides, websites, and more.
Landowners Toolbox. Worksheets, guides, tutorials, sample leases and more.
Communities Toolbox. Guides, policy research and more.