We believe that small American farms play a key role in their local economic and environmental prosperity. Our goal is to fund sustainable agriculture projects that will have long-lasting impacts on both the individual farms and their neighboring communities. These projects foster greater environmental and economic health, community engagement, and advocacy that supports sustainable agriculture. Over the past seven years, The FruitGuys Community Fund has awarded over $275,000 to 70 farms across the country. Just last year we were able to support 15 small farms and agricultural nonprofits from 12 different states, the largest and most diverse class so far.
Small Farms Big Impacts
Working with small farms allows us to see immediate impacts. Just this year, grantee Sankofa Farms, owned by Kamal Bell, received a $2,900 grant to help increase honey bee production and purchase a caterpillar tunnel to extend their harvest season. A two-acre farm in Cedar Grove, North Carolina, that produces vegetables and eggs, Sankofa Farms grows food for people in rural and urban communities and runs a program for youth of color, focusing on regenerative agriculture, discipline, and communal responsibility. With this grant, Kamal and his farm have been able to increase access to fresh produce for their neighbors and other customers.
Grow Good
Our small grants fund a variety of projects. Here are a few of the projects from The FruitGuys Community Fund class of 2019:
- A project to convert a tractor to electric, decreasing the farm’s reliance on fossil fuels.
- Hoop houses and high tunnels to extend the local growing season and increase the community’s access to fresh produce.
- The creation of a food forest, diversifying a small farm’s income and increasing their community’s access to local fruit.
- The purchase of Slovenian beehives to make beekeeping accessible to disabled veterans.
Give
Each year, The FruitGuys Community Fund receives more requests than we can fulfill. In 2019, we funded 15 projects out of 300 worthy applications. We’re determined to grow that grantee number, and this year we hope to fund two more farms. Help us achieve that goal, knowing that even a small donation can create positive economic and environmental change for farms like Sankofa.
This season, help support small American farms, by making a tax-deductible donation to our GIVE & GROW GOOD 2020 campaign. 100% of your donation will go directly to farmers. Our goal is to raise $5,000 by December 31st to help farms GROW more GOOD food and GIVE back to the environment and their communities.
Thank you for your commitment to sustainable small farms!
