Launched in 2015 in partnership with
Big Y and our generous sponsors
HP Hood LLC,
Baystate Health,
Farm Credit East,
MGM SPRINGFIELD,
Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place, and the
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the Local Farmer Awards fund physical infrastructure improvements to farms. A farmer appreciation event is held yearly for all applicants and awardees to honor and recognize our farmers and promote the importance of local farming.
In 2017, the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation and
Big Y awarded 49 local farmers $2,500 each – a 48% increase in awards from the inaugural year.
With the collaboration of local agricultural Buy Local organizations,
Berkshire Grown and
CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture), the Local Farmer Awards program is announced in December to their member farmers; the application is open until the end of January.
Examples of How Local Farmer Awards Have Been Used
The Book and Plow Farm in Amherst used the award to purchase a potato digger.
“The new machine has saved significant time in harvesting and allowed us to grow a larger crop of potatoes.”
The Lyonsville Farm in Colrain purchased a salad dryer.
“We can now process larger quantities of salad mix in a shorter period of time, allowing us to expand the greens we grow.”
Award Recipients
The Foundation has now given nearly
130 awards to local farmers. We continue to be thankful and appreciative that these farmers bring fresh food to our tables, care for the land they farm, and desire to continue to improve their farms.
On December 12, 2016 the 2016
farm award Recipients gathered to celebrate their awards and contributions to the local farm culture.
See photos from this event.
Interested in where they work?
See a map of the Local Farmer Award Recipients.
Special Thanks to Our Partners and Sponsors!
Learn more about how to join these sponsors in
supporting the Local Farmer Awards.