​Together we are growing the next generation of farmers who are in turn growing a stronger food system. Here is a direct way to invest in viable farms and hunger relief efforts in Montgomery County. 
A humble ask - we've just heard that we we will not receive a county project grant for this successful program. Need from local farmers is still outstripping the funding we have. Can you help? Thanks!
Thanks to all those that applied - we have made 5 grants totaling $23,000 in support of farm infrastructure that will grow more fresh food for local food banks! 
Reports from the field:  
Nia of Beauty Blooms Farm with cushaw squash headed to food insecure neighbors through a partnership with Manna Food Center's farm to food bank program. Of Good Fences Nia says - "Thanks for your support - the fencing made a big difference this year!"
Farm at Our House shows off the fencing built with last year's grant - coming soon more fencing to protect more harvests headed to local food banks. 
Savage Acres used funding to overhaul an unused grazing area for their pastured livestock. Follow the progress in the slideshow below.  From the Savages - "Thank You! It was a great project that turned and un-used area into a useful one."
Picture
Picture
We had a great first round of Good Fences Grants.  Check out our 2023 report video.

Meet our Grantees...

Good Fences Grantees by Kristina Bostick

It starts with local farms...

​Land access is key to a new or expanding enterprise – that is why MCA started our Land Link program in 2011 to connect small scale producers to local landowners offering long term leases. 500+ matched acres later we are celebrating the many successful new farms that sprang from these partnerships. Yet connecting new farmers with land is only part of what makes a viable farm and a successful harvest. 
Infrastructure is also key – and a hurdle to some farms getting started. Water can be trucked in, we’ve made it easier for farmers to share equipment on our Producers Listserve, but fencing remains a real barrier (sorry) to farms having viable harvests. Just ask Farm at Our House of Brookeville who lost a field of strawberries to deer 4 seasons in a row until securing cost share for fencing - fencing is a required investment for a farm in Montgomery County. An investment that will bear fruit - literally. 

and unprecedented need...

Food insecurity is up 50% both in Montgomery County and nationally during the pandemic.   The pandemic, inflation and supply chain woes have made it very difficult for food banks to source the fresh produce that supplements the typical non-perishable offerings for food bank clients. The MoCo Food Bank reported that in June of 2020 86% of local food banks were unable to provide fresh produce to their clients. This is even more true of “culturally appropriate” food, the farm products that are familiar to the large immigrant populations in our diverse county. Examples include Asian greens, heirloom African tubers and grains that are not widely available in our area. With people of color twice as likely to experience food insecurity, sourcing these products is an imperative. 

with a homegrown solution...

Dependable sources of locally grown food are a cost-effective solution for local food banks. More and more land seekers are applying to Land Link intending to dedicate part or all of their harvest to local hunger relief efforts. Many of these farmers have long experience in growing culturally appropriate foods but lack the capital for large upfront investment in farm infrastructure. Investment in fencing will free up their funds for land leases and other needed inputs to get growing. 

You can help ramp up our efforts to grow more farms and feed more residents in MoCo. Help us match the County's seed funding today. 

Picture
Background and FAQ:
​
  •  How Will This Grant Work? 
MCA has secured funding from Montgomery County and private foundations that will be be supplemented by local farm supporters like you. We will open a grant application process for  farmers (and landowner partners) to apply for cost share for fencing projects - inclusive of deer fencing for table crops and some livestock fencing - and for the first time this year- inclusive of labor costs. The grant will stipulate the number of seasons the fencing location must be growing for a local food distribution nonprofit and what amount of produce donated meets the qualifications. 

  • Who should apply? 
We are only able to fund Montgomery County Farms. ​In seeking to get the most food in the hands of food insecure neighbors we are seeking to keep this program flexible. Leasing farmers and owner operators should apply, along with landowners open to being matched with a farming partner.  We are prioritizing Montgomery County farms with agreements that show a commitment to stability over the coming years. To that end, we will ask about written leases that show a long-term commitment to growing food but we don’t need financial particulars.  This program prioritizes farmers growing culturally appropriate food to meet local demand. 


  • I'd like to apply for the grant for my farm/farmland
Great! The application is  right here! It's best to start gathering your plan for fencing and any labor needed to install it so you will be ready when the application opens. We will want to see quotes for fencing materials and installation which can take some time to pull together.  Please read through this detailed FAQ before applying.


  • What are some other similar grant opportunities for farms?
Manna Food Bank, the County DHHS, Office of Ag and Food Council partnered on a Farm to Food Bank Program that provided infrastructure improvements to 20+ existing table and livestock operations in the county in 2020 and 2021 and the results of those investments are yielding great local harvests for food bank clients. The county Office of Ag also has a cost share program that provides for fencing, wells and other infrastructure but the need for this program often outstrips the funding.
See also our BIPOC guide (in partnership with the county Office of Agriculture) and the full list of producers resources. 

  • I'm a farm  or other business that wants to donate to food banks - how do I do that?
Fantastic! Check out Community Food Rescue - a project of Manna Food Center. They have options for donating food or getting gleaning events organized on your farm. Also check out Community Farm Share, a project funneling local farm produce directly to food insecure residents. 
  • ​I'm a gardener and I have more ___ than I can possibly eat. 
In the upcounty you can drop your produce off at WUMCo or the community cold shed at Locals - more here. 
(Where should gardeners take extras down county - if you know drop us a line - [email protected])