With pressures like climate change, land loss, and rising input costs, supporting grassroots farmers and ranchers is a no-brainer. These people face the realities of managing ecosystems and ensuring food security every day, but they are often the ones who struggle the most to access the resources they need to sustain and grow their businesses. is.
Marginalized farmers, including BIPOC, veterans, LGBTQIA+, and new farmers, are disproportionately impacted by institutional barriers that make it difficult to maintain and deepen their relationship to the land. As encroaching development and other issues threaten farmland, it is in our best interest to put money directly into the hands of the people who work the land.
That’s why American Farmland Trust (AFT) values the Brighter Future Fund. For more than 40 years, AFT has been committed to helping farmers and ranchers access land, plan the future of their farms, and integrate new and innovative farming practices that support a resilient future. . Our commitment to this fund reflects our ongoing mission to ensure all farmers and ranchers can thrive.
We believe that by empowering grassroots farmers through direct support, we can protect both our land, the future of sustainable agriculture, and our communities. Since 2020, Brighter Future Fund has awarded nearly $5 million in grants to more than 2,000 farmers and ranchers to help improve farm viability, access or protect farmland, and implement regenerative practices. .
This year alone, $700,000 was distributed to 139 farmers across the country. It found that more than 50% of those awarded funding were new farmers, 30% were under 34 years old, and more than 60% of grant recipients were women.
“Brighter Future Fund is a beacon of hope for farmers looking to not only overcome challenges, but also innovate and thrive. This year’s success is a testament to our donors, our staff, and most importantly, our commitment to our dreams. “Together, we are helping to shape a more resilient and sustainable future for agriculture.” said Ashley Brucker, Gold Creation Senior Manager.
We are excited to continue this momentum with the announcement of the 2024 cohort. To celebrate, we are highlighting three award winners from the past year who demonstrate the transformative impact of these grants on food security, land management, and community building.
Square Mile Ranch
At Square Mile Ranch in Northeast Oregon, soil restoration is at the heart of operations. First-generation rancher Amy Duntsch manages a multi-breed operation of grass-fed cattle, pigs and sheep, providing quality meat to local families. Committed to restoring soil health, Amy believes in understanding and nurturing the past and future of the land. “Our compost pile is a rich pile of life created from years of farm harvest, but we need more to bring the land back to life,” she says. Let me explain.
For the past four years, Amy has turned the farm’s harvest into a large, beautiful, and complex compost pile. A Brighter Future Fund grant enabled her to purchase a Bio 5 Extractor from Soil Works LLC and a pull-boom sprayer to efficiently spread the compost.
Amy’s journey from being raised as a vegetarian in Southern California to owning and operating a 540-acre ranch is a testament to her passion and dedication. Since purchasing her first ranch in 2019, Amy has raised thousands of animals each year to feed approximately 350 families in the area. (Image provided by Amy Duntsch)
With this investment, she is regenerating degraded acres into fertile, diverse pastures without relying on chemical fertilizers. “Our soil is the foundation of everything we do. This grant will help us nourish what feeds us, allowing us to unlock the full potential of our land. ” she says.
Follow Square Mile Ranch on Instagram or visit their website at www.squaremileranch.com.
strange pig farm
In Dorchester, South Carolina, Nikki Ross and her husband, Marvin, run Peculiar Pig Farm, a family-run operation with deep roots in the community, raising traditional pigs, chickens, goats, and cows. . “Coming from a family of dedicated farmers, my connection to the land and animals is a testament to my commitment to the farming way of life,” says Nikki. “We raise our animals with compassion and respect, giving them a natural lifestyle and the ability to roam and socialize.”
The Brighter Future Fund is helping Peculiar Pig Farm secure additional land, grow crops to feed the animals, and increase livestock production capacity. “Next to our house is a 5-acre parcel of land that we’ve been eyeing for a while. This grant will help us make the down payment and that will be a game changer,” Nicky explains. .
When Nikki was in grade 12 at Blythewood High School, she enrolled in an agriculture class. Although she was familiar with farming and agriculture due to her family’s lifestyle, this class opened her eyes to the real possibilities that farming can offer. Nikki discovered a deep love for all aspects of farming, from cultivating the soil to raising livestock. It was then that she realized her future lay in working the land and continuing her family’s agricultural heritage. (Image courtesy of Nikki Ross)
By growing their own feed, farmers can reduce costs and increase sustainability while providing their communities with more ethically raised, high-quality meat. “This expansion is a step towards ensuring a bright future for our farm and our family,” Nicky added.
Follow Peculiar Pig Farm on Instagram or visit their website www.peculiarpigfarm.com.
Hungry Work Organic Farm
Located in Stockton, New Jersey, Hungry Work Organic Farm is a small but mighty operation run by Devin Cornier and is committed to providing fresh, nutritious produce to the local community. The farm operates on a pay-what-you-can model, donating about half of its produce to local food pantries and tackling food insecurity head-on. But as a part-time farmer juggling a full-time job, Devin has faced challenges maintaining efficiency and food safety.
With assistance from the Brighter Future Fund, Hungry Work Organic Farm will build an FSMA-compliant washing and packing station and walk-in cooler. “We were making do with temporary equipment, but this grant has allowed us to build the proper infrastructure,” Devin explains. This investment will definitely reduce food waste and increase both sales and donations.
Since diving into the world of food systems in 2011, Devin (owner of Hungry Work Organic Farms) has intentionally navigated a variety of agriculture and food systems businesses, from farms and cooperatives to vineyards and tree farms. I have gated and deepened my deep understanding. About what local food systems need to thrive. (Image courtesy of Devin Cornier)
Devin’s vision is to expand the business and eventually transform Hungry Work into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on local food security. “This is not just a matter of efficiency, it’s about ensuring our communities have access to safe, high-quality food. Support from AFT will help us grow, both literally and figuratively. It’s helping me,” Devin says.
Follow Hungry Work Organic Farm on Instagram or visit their website www.hungrywork.org.
Funding collective impact
Since its founding, Brighter Future Fund has helped transform the lives of thousands of farms across the country. By focusing on communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing financial resources, the Fund levels the playing field and develops the next generation of agricultural leaders.
As the Brighter Future Fund grows, AFT is dedicated to increasing the resources, training, and financial support needed to build sustainable farms. By empowering people to work the land and understand our food systems, we maintain critical connections between communities and their ecosystems while creating a more just and resilient agricultural future. Nurture. It’s really simple.
Click here to learn more and donate to the Brighter Future Fund.
This article was published on behalf of American Farmland Trust.
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