We are thrilled to be celebrating our 5
th year of the Local Farmer Awards! Launched in 2015 in partnership with
Big Y and our generous sponsors Ann and Steve Davis,
Friendly's,
Farm Credit East,
HP Hood LLC,
People's Bank,
Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place,
Baystate Health, and
Eastern States Exposition, 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 2019 62 Local Farmers were given awards of up to $2,500. This year we exceeded half a million total dollars invested in local farms.
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.
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 250 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 5th, 2018, local Farmer Award Applicants gathered to celebrate their awards and contributions to the local farm culture.
See photos from this event.
Interested in where they work? Find links to maps of the Local Farmer Award Recipients in the right side of this page.
2018 Local Farmer Awards Slideshow by
Michelle Roberts
Special Thanks to Our 2019 Partners and Sponsors!
Learn more about how to join these sponsors in
supporting the Local Farmer Awards.