Submitted by Sustainable Connections
Sustainable Connections is currently accepting applications for up to four new participants in the 2016 Food To Bank On project, a beginning farmer business training project facilitated by Sustainable Connections’ Food and Farming Program.
The project provides farmers with business planning resources and experts, connects beginning farmers with mentor farmers, coordinates specialized workshops and provides new market opportunities. Participants are also paid to deliver fresh food to local food banks and shelters. Whatcom County food banks, soup kitchens and women’s shelters have received over $80,000 in fresh produce since the programs’ start in 2003.
Food to Bank On participants go through a business planning series each winter, working with a cohort of peer and mentor farmers to write and revisit their business plans. They also receive marketing assistance and free membership to Sustainable Connections enabling them to build their business through relationships with retailers, restaurants, and seasoned area farmers.
Forty-eight farmers have participated in the three-year program and 80-percent are still successfully farming — a phenomenal rate for any beginning business. In order to provide a diversity of locally-available agricultural products, the farmers chosen for Food To Bank On grow and raise a variety of foods such as vegetables, meats, eggs, beans and grains.
A current Food To Bank On farmers recently stated, “Excellent program. Of all the farm business course I’ve taken, this has been the most useful — a great way to increase diversity and perspective in our farming community, as well as access to resources!”
Food to Bank On applications are available on Sustainable Connection’s website and are due October 15, 2015. Profiles and photos of current farmers can also be found online. For more information, contact Sara Southerland at sara@sconnect.org.
Current program participants include: Vine Maple Acres, Prairie Road Farm, Well Fed Farms, Backyard Beans and Grains Project, McIntyre Family Farm, Triple Wren Farms and Grateful Bounty Farm, Dragon Tongue Medicinal Herb Farm, Chubby Bunny Farm, Blanchard Mountain Farm and Highland Blueberries
Current mentor farms: Cedarville Farm, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Osprey Hill Farm, Rabbit Fields Farm, Misty Meadows Farm, Growing Gardens.
