FARM Fund grants for projects related to regenerative agriculture available for 2022

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild shares a detailed look at grants they are making available to farmers for the 2022 season through their FARM Fund Committee.

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild and FARM Fund partners are excited to announce $50,000 in grants available to farmers for the 2022 season. 2022 FARM Fund grants will support projects that strengthen and develop regenerative agriculture in San Juan County while increasing the supply and availability of local food. The FARM Fund is committed to pursuing innovative ways to create a more resilient local food system while promoting the economic growth and viability of San Juan County farmers.

Eligibility requirements for the project include:

• Projects must be based in San Juan County.
• Applicants must be an active working farm business or have two years of on-farm experience and have a business license.
• Grant requests must be for an amount between $500 and $7,500.
• Projects must be ready to begin (“shovel-ready”) at the time of the grant award.
• Projects must result in an increase in regenerative agriculture practices.
• Projects must result in an increase in food production.
• Funds must be used and projects must be completed within one year of the grant award.

What is regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and an improved water cycle.

Specifically, regenerative agriculture is a holistic land management practice that leverages the power of photosynthesis in plants to close the carbon cycle, and build soil health, crop resilience and nutrient density. Regenerative agriculture improves soil health, primarily through the practices that increase soil organic matter. This not only aids in increasing soil biota diversity and health, but increases biodiversity both above and below the soil surface, while increasing both water holding capacity and sequestering carbon at greater depths, thus drawing down climate-damaging levels of atmospheric CO2, and improving soil structure to reverse civilization-threatening human-caused soil loss.

Practices include:

• No-till/minimum tillage.
• Soil fertility is increased in regenerative systems biologically through application of cover crops, crop rotations, compost, and animal manures.
• Building biological ecosystem diversity begins with inoculation of soils with composts or compost extracts through full-time planting of multiple crop inter- crop plantings, multispecies cover crops, and borders planted for bee habitat and other beneficial insects.
• Well-managed grazing practices stimulate improved plant growth, increased soil carbon deposits, and overall pasture and grazing land productivity while greatly increasing soil fertility, insect and plant biodiversity, and soil carbon sequestration.

What is the timeline?

• March 4, 2022 — Request for Proposals
• April 15, 2022 — Application process closes
• May 15, 2022 — Awards announced, grants distributed

What are the final reporting requirements

Unless other arrangements have been made, grant recipients are required to provide a project final report by February 28, 2023. In general, preparation of the report will include the following:

• At least three photos of the project, showing different stages if possible.
• Details on how funds were spent, including receipts, as well as actual cost of the project vs. original budget.
• Project challenges and successes from the recipient’s perspective.
• Narrative about how the grant project will affect your operation into the future.

Background and funding

The FARM (Food, Agriculture, Relationships, Markets) Fund was created in 2015 to support innovative projects that strengthen and develop local, sustainable agriculture in San Juan County and increase availability of healthy and nutritious, local food.

The FARM Fund transitioned over to the Ag Guild from the Orcas Food Co-op in 2020 in line with long range goals to shift management of the fund to a neutral third party and make it a countywide program. Management by the Ag Guild has made it possible to accept tax deductible donations, helping to grow the fund’s impact through a combination of private donations and foundation grants, along with 1% of produce sales from the Orcas Food Co-op. The Ag Guild and Orcas Food Co-op continue to work together, collaborating with community partners to provide critical capital to farmers.

The FARM Fund is looking to expand the program and welcomes additional financial support.

The FARM Fund Grant Committee is committed to the principles of good grant-making, due diligence, and applying an equitable and transparent process. Grants are only made for projects that are well-conceived and likely to be successful in meeting the above stated goals.

For more information or to apply contact [email protected].

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