Farm Credit Awards Efforts to Develop and Promote Northeast Agriculture

ENFIELD, Conn. — The Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program, a joint effort of Farm Credit East and CoBank, recently provided $115,000 in grant funding to 27 organizations to assist their efforts to encourage youth leadership development, support young and beginning farmer initiatives, promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and advance northeast agriculture, forestry and commercial fishing. Applications for the next round of grant funding are due by August 1.

Many of the projects receiving these most recent grants are working to support the next generation of agriculture. New England Junior Holstein Association, New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association, The Connecticut FFA Association, The Food Project, United Youth Empowerment Services and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps received funding for leadership development and education programs. Black Farmers United – New York State Inc., Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association, Center for Dairy Excellence, Maine Farmland Trust and Maine TREE Foundation were awarded grant funds to provide support for beginning farmers.

Additionally, grants were awarded to programs promoting Northeast agriculture, forestry and fishing including, Avellana Agroforestry Cooperative, Genesee Valley Conservancy, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, New England Green Pastures, Southside Community Land Trust and The University of Connecticut Extension.

Intervale Center, Maine Lobster Community Alliance, Maine Lobstermen’s Association, NOFA New Jersey, Northeast Loggers’ Association, ReGenerative Roots Association and The Carrot Project were awarded funding to enhance economic viability in Northeast agriculture. America’s Grow-a-Row, Berkshire Grown and the Foodshed Alliance also received grants for their food security and sustainability initiatives.

The Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program was created in 1996 to support projects that promote and enhance the region’s agricultural community. Since inception, the program has provided more than $3.6 million in grant funding to 1,196 projects. Submissions for the next round of grant funding are due by August 1, 2025. Visit FarmCreditEast.com/AgEnhancement to learn more.

# # #