Sustainable farming scholarship applications due Dec. 14
Delmarva farmers who want to learn about sustainable practices and are focused on growing for the local market may apply now for the 2021 Historic Lewes Farmers Market scholarship program.
Completed applications are due Monday, Dec. 14.
Due to COVID-19, 2021 sustainable farming conferences are virtual, making them very accessible and not as expensive as non-virtual events held in previous years. The market is awarding a number of scholarships for the 2021 conferences. Up to $150 in scholarship money with proof of registration will be awarded. One per farm is permitted.
The challenges the pandemic has presented to the food chain make these conferences even more important in a time when the farming community is exploring how to make regional food systems more resilient.
Conferences include these in the mid-Atlantic: the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Annual Farming for the Future Conference, Tuesday, Jan. 19 to Friday, Feb. 5; Future Harvest CASA Conference, Thursday to Saturday, Jan. 14 to 16; and Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Monday to Thursday, Feb. 8 to 11.
These conferences draw farmers and others in the farming community interested in education about sustainable agriculture practices from a broad section of the East Coast, the mid-Atlantic and the South with similar growing conditions to the Delmarva Peninsula.
In 2016, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market established an emerging women farmers’ scholarship fund in memory of Debra Schaefer, who died that year. It was her family’s wish that this scholarship be established in loving memory of Debra, who was a sustainable farmer in Frankford. On the form, applicants should indicate if it is specified for one of the Debra Schaefer Scholarships.
To be eligible for the scholarships, the Delmarva farmer must: Currently be developing a sustainable farming enterprise or currently farming on Delmarva; currently operate a small farm (low sales) as defined by the Economic Research Service for the United States Department of Agriculture (less than $350,000 gross in agricultural sales) on Delmarva, or be able to demonstrate financial need to attend this conference; and currently be a farmer/grower who sells what they grow, raise or produce on their own farm. A farmer/grower may be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation and shall include family members and employees who assist in the production and/or sales/marketing of the farm products; and must commit to sharing their experiences at a virtual HLFM farmers workshop to be held in the spring.
For more information and to receive an application, call 302-644-1436 or email info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.
All scholarship applicants will be notified of awards by Friday, Jan. 8.
