The 100+ Women Strong event in Interior Mendocino County was held at Rose Winery in Redwood Valley and was a success. The Good Farm Fund received the most votes from over 100 participants and won $10,000.
Two other nonprofit organizations, Ukiah Main Street Program and Mendocino County Youth Project, received half of the remaining event proceeds, at least $1,500 each.
The Good Farm Fund, founded 10 years ago by farmers Sarah Bodnar and Caroline Radice, has raised funds and awarded $450,000 in mini-grants to more than 60 farms and ranches in Mendocino and Lake counties. did. In addition, we raised more than $35,000 for the Market Match program at the Mendocino and Lake County farmers markets.
The prize money will be split between two programs,” Radice said. “The $5,000 will go to our farm grant program, which funds farm capacity-building infrastructure projects such as walk-in coolers and greenhouses. These grants help farms expand local food production and The remaining $5,000 will be fully applied to the annual contribution we have made to the Market Match Program for the past 10 years. A program that provides a dollar-for-dollar match to those who qualify for CalFresh. This program makes local fruits and vegetables more available and affordable for people who cannot buy them at their local farmers market. .”
“According to the most recent USDA Agricultural Census, there are 1,768 farms in our region, 22 percent of which are small farms of less than 10 acres,” Radice noted in his presentation. Average annual net cash income from agricultural activities is $14,773 in Lake County and $24,244 in Mendocino. Sixty percent of area farmers report annual sales of less than $50,000. ”
The Good Farm Fund helps fund needs such as walk-in coolers, water storage tanks, and irrigation infrastructure, with all funds raised through farm-to-table dinners, individual donations, and volunteer grassroots fundraising. Masu.
“Our farm grant program represents a lot of people working together to build the infrastructure of the communities we want to live in,” Radice said.
All attendees of the gathering were treated to a buffet of organic appetizers provided by April Cunningham, former director of Mendocino’s Caring Kitchen. Barra’s wines were available in the winery’s distinctive domed tasting room.
Inland Mendocino County, an inclusive volunteer organization of more than 100 women, has donated more than $213,000 since its founding in 2019. Nominations for nonprofit organizations are always welcome by visiting our website or calling the number below.
We welcome anyone interested in attending our next gathering in 2025 and hearing from three nonprofit organizations doing essential work in our community.
To register, click on the “Donate” button on the 100+ Mendocino Women website hosted by the Mendocino County Community Foundation https://communityfound.org/community/leadership-projects/100-women- Pledge to donate $100. Strong Inland Mendocino/. All previous donors to 100 Women Strong of Inland Mendocino County (who have not yet made a donation) will need to redone their donation information at the Community Foundation link. Or call Karen Christopherson at 707-272-5570.
