Fresh Local WNY

Grant alert! Farm Credit East is offering farmers' market grants up to $500. Grant funding may be used to support participating farmers, market enhancements, marketing efforts and/or programs to support disadvantaged communities or improve access to fresh, local food. Note that these grants are intended for public markets where multiple farms sell products, not for individual farm markets. Deadline is June 1.

How many years have you been shopping at your local farmers market? A just-released report based on hundreds of shopper surveys reveal patterns of customer tenure and so much more. Read more at www.freshlocalwny.org.

Grain Growing and Milling Farm Assistant wanted in Angelica, NY Position Description Working with a farm couple, the Farm Assistant will participate in all aspects of a small grain growing and milling operation. This seasonal position starts after May 10 and ends in November. At least 25 (up to 35) hours per week, with some flexibility on hours and days. Minimum starting salary is $15.00/hr with raises after 2 and 4 months. Basic housing available.... The Farm Assistant can gain many skills for starting or managing a small farm or milling business. Farm and Business The 130-acre farm is located one mile from Angelica NY, about 70 miles S of Rochester and SE of Buffalo, NY. We grow hay and a specialty buckwheat, and process the latter in a stone flour mill. Fields and processing are certified organic. We also operate a rental cottage on the farm. We market on-line at tartarybuckwheat.com. Responsibilities Tractor work, including harvesting hay (large round bales) Planting, harvesting, cleaning, milling, and packaging Tartary buckwheat Maintaining farm grounds and buildings, including mowing, cleaning, carpentry, and painting Maintaining and repairing machinery Requirements Applicant must have documented vaccination for Covid-19 Reliable, pleasant, and energetic English-speaking, non-smoker Understand that tasks may be dirty, dusty, buggy, or hot (large creek on land for cooling) Able to perform repetitive tasks with speed, cleanliness, and care Some gardening, landscaping, and/or farming experience Able to lift 50 pounds Able to climb 12’ ladder Possesses driver’s license and ability to drive manual transmission Experience with tractors and field implements Carpentry, mechanical, or welding skills preferred Send resume and cover letter to [email protected]

Volunteers needed for inoculations of the Shiitake type! What a great way to learn more about mushroom cultivation, hang with a great group of people, and play a role in the local food economy. Sign up at the link in the post from Green Heron Growers

The Application Deadline is Saturday, May 1, 2021!! How to apply info: https://leadership.arc.gov/how-to-apply The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a regiona...l leadership and economic development opportunity for people who live and/or work in Appalachia and are passionate about helping their communities thrive. Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows participate in a comprehensive training curriculum developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr Center for Public Policy; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact. The all-inclusive, nine-month program runs from October July and includes skill-building seminars and best practice reviews. The program is currently meeting virtually due to COVID, but normally includes field visits during six separate sessions across the Region, followed by a capstone graduation event held in Washington, DC. The Appalachian Leadership Institute is limited to 40 Fellows annually, drawn from Appalachia's public, private and non-profit sectors. Each class will include representatives from each of the thirteen states in the ARC footprint to reflect the region's diverse economic development, challenges, opportunities, and strategies.

Last chance to enroll your market to be approved for the Double Up Food Bucks for the 2021 season. Deadline is Friday, 4/23. This is a tremendous opportunity for your market to enhance customer traffic and sales. https://doubleupnys.com/

This is a great read about the many ways the Seneca Nation is building their food economy and nutritional health through food sovereignty. https://civileats.com//from-bison-to-syrup-the-seneca-nat/

The Whole Kids Foundation will be accepting applications for the Garden Grant Program from February 15 to March 31, 2021. The program is designed to support educational garden projects that help students learn about complex topics such as nutrition and health, sustainability and conservation, food systems, and community awareness. Garden projects may be at any stage of development (planning, construction, or operation). Priority will be given to both limited-resource communit...ies and to projects that demonstrate strong buy-in from stakeholders, as well as ability to financially sustain the garden. Eligibility K12 School 501(c)(3) Non-profit working in partnership with a K12 school 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Grant information was last reviewed by our staff on 1/17/2021 Contact: [email protected] https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org Maximum Grant: $3,000 Deadline: March 31, 2021 Guidelines and Application: https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/pr/school-gardens-grant

Need some $$$$ for a kids gardening program? Check out the 2021 Gro More Grassroots Grant. Deadline to apply is February 5, 2021. The 2021 Gro More Grassroots Grant presented by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. Awards provide funding for the development of new and expansion of existing youth garden programs and greenspaces. Winners will be selected based on... their commitment to the maintenance and sustainability of their garden program including plans for growth and future fiscal stability. This year, 175 grants worth a collective total of $100,000 will be awarded. 150 grant recipients will be awarded a check for $500 to support their initiatives. The top 25 programs will receive a check for $1,000. Eligibility The 2021 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant is open to all nonprofit organizations in the United States and US Territories planning to use the funds to install new or expand existing youth gardens or greenspaces serving at least 15 youth in 2021. Organizations must have obtained their 501(c)(3) status or qualify as tax-exempt within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Service code. Examples of tax exempt organizations that may not have a 501(C)(3) status include, school districts, universities and government entities. If you fall into this second category, please provide your EIN number on the application. If your organization has not achieved 501(c)(3) or tax exempt status, you may apply for a GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant by partnering with a fiscal sponsor who has achieved this status. Previous winners of the GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant must wait two years after receiving the award to apply again. Contact: https://kidsgardening.org Maximum Grant: $1,000 Deadline: February 5, 2021 Guidelines and Application: https://kidsgardening.org/2021-gromoregood-grassroots-grant/

Even thought it's winter, farmers markets are still open! Plan a trip to the Fredonia Farmers' Market on Saturday - see info below. And please, please comply with the market's Covid compliance safety rules. Shop local; eat local; support local farmers.

Applications to vend at the Salamanca farmers market are now being accepted. See details below. Shop local; eat local; support local!

Urban and community garden projects! Register for this free webinar on January 27 that will discuss technical and financial resources available to help your projects grow (pun intended). SYRACUSE, N.Y. A webinar on the Technical and Financial Resources for Urban Farmers in New York State is set for January 27th. This webinar is being presented by a group of agencies that serve urban farmers including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservati...on Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA), the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Speakers will include the New York State Commissioner of Agriculture, Richard Ball, NRCS State Conservationist, Blake Glover, and Urban Farmer, Karen Washington. The event will take place Wednesday, January 27th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, with individual break-out rooms with each organization afterwards. This webinar is free however pre-registration is required for this event, please do so at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/technical-and-financial-resour This webinar will introduce you to urban agriculture field staff from a variety of organizations that provide direct support for urban farmers and community gardeners. Urban farmers will also share their experience working with these field staff and ways to participate in the programs and services offered by each organization. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Lynnette Wright at (315) 477-6309 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, by January 25, 2021. USDA-Farm Service Agency New York