Sustainable farming scholarship applications due Dec. 17
Delmarva farmers who want to learn about sustainable practices and focus on growing for the local market may apply now for the 2022 Historic Lewes Farmers Market scholarship program.
Completed applications are due by Friday, Dec. 17.
The market will award a number of scholarships for 2022 sustainable farming conferences. Many are virtual conferences, and in-person events may be subject to change. With proof of registration, grants up to $150 for virtual conferences and up to $500 for in-person conferences will be awarded. One per farm is permitted.
The food chain challenges the pandemic has presented make these conferences particularly 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. 4 to Friday Jan. 28; Future Harvest CASA Conference, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 13 and 14; and Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Wednesday to Friday, Feb. 1 to 3.
These conferences draw farmers and others in the farming community interested in education about sustainable agriculture practices from areas 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. Applicants should indicate on the form if they are aiming 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 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. 7.
