In working to build a thriving family farm-centered system of agriculture, Farm Aid also funds family farm and rural service organizations through an annual grant program. Farm Aid announced that it distributed nearly a million dollars in grant funding in 2021.
In December 2021, Farm Aid granted $817,500 to 86 family farm, rural service and urban agriculture organizations. Farm Aid awarded a $7,500 grant to Land For Good to provide individualized land access and farm transfer advising, coaching and referral services to beginning, established, and transitioning farmers and farm families in New England in 2022.
Thanks to generous supporters from across the country — and a triumphant return to the Farm Aid stage in Hartford, Connecticut — Farm Aid is glad to make these grants to grassroots organizations that support family farmers across the country,” said Farm Aid President Willie Nelson. “These folks are the lifeblood of the movement for family farmers and their work is essential for an equitable and sustainable farm and food system for us all.”.
Farm Aid granted an additional $113,000 to assist farm and ranch families who were impacted by immediate and long-term climate disasters, including historic winter storms, record drought and wildfires earlier in the year. In 2021, Farm Aid’s grants supported work to:
- Grow The Good Food Movement: Efforts that build local and regional food systems and connect family farmers directly with consumers.
- Help Farmers Thrive: Programs that provide family farmers with support and resources to start farming, transition to more sustainable farming practices, and/or continue farming in the face of financial crises and natural disasters.
- Take Action To Change The System: Work that promotes fair farm policies and organizes grassroots campaigns to defend and bolster family farm agriculture on a local, regional or national level.
It is inspiring and invigorating to see how much good work is happening to support family farmers, to build power, to support equity and to increase access to good food across the country,” shared Farm Aid.
We also recognize our partners in New England – and beyond – who were grant recipients: Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, Connecticut Food System Alliance, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, The Carrot Project, Connecticut Farmland Trut, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Young Farmers Coalition, Northeast Organic Farming Association, and Rural Vermont.
For a complete listing of Farm Aid’s 2021 grant recipients, visit farmaid.org/our-work/grants.
