The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has launched a new grant program to fund projects that is expected to strengthen local farms and food businesses.

Farmers, food entrepreneurs, food hubs and cooperatives within ANCA’s 14-county service area are invited to submit Local Farm Grant requests of $2,500 to $45,000 for projects that address gaps in the food chain supply chain, increase opportunity for value-added processing or secure business development services.

The Local Farm Grant is being funded in full by anonymous donors who participated in ANCA’s fourth annual Bike the Barns event on September 29, 2019. Inspired by the farms along the route, they committed $100,000 to go directly to local farms through these grants and challenged ANCA’s community and match that amount to support the nonprofit’s mission.

Proposals will be accepted until November 30, 2019.

More information about the Local Farm Grant program and how to apply can be found on ANCA’s website. To contribute to the Local Farm Challenge, click here.

Photo of Aaron Caiazza of Kate Mountain Farm gives Bike the Barns riders a tour of his Vermontville farm during the annual farm-by-bike event on September 29, 2019, provided.