Acres of farmland and ranchland protected in perpetuity through agricultural conservation easements.
Acres under reduced development pressure due to smart land-use planning and tax policies.
Catalyzed in federal and state funds to help farmers and ranchers adopt new conservation practices or protect their land.
Every acre of farmland protected, every farmer or rancher supported, and every partnership built contributes to a more resilient agricultural future. Across the country, we work alongside farmers, ranchers, and landowners to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. These relationships keep us grounded in real-world challenges while allowing us to test and scale innovative solutions. The stories featured here highlight the tangible impact of this work, demonstrating how our programs are helping people and communities thrive while shaping a more sustainable future for agriculture.
In Northern Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Dani Fegan of Three Dogs Seed Farm is saving culturally important and climate-adapted seeds of foods, plants, and medicines for her community’s food sovereignty and security. She used the Brighter Future Fund grant money to have a groundwater well drilled on the property.
Meet Quincy with Sweet Jones Farm LLC, a family owned and operated, mixed produce Louisiana farm. They sell directly to consumers through CSA, service. Quincy is using the Brighter Future Fund award towards supporting 10 families grow their own food with raised beds, vegetable seedlings, and guidance on how to care for the plants.
Hannah and John Doyle of Boneyard Farm specialize in pastured meat, eggs, and produce. They used the funds from their New England Farmer Microgrants Program award to build a mobile poultry processing unit, which allowed them to expand their poultry operation.
Susan Mitchell is the owner and operator of Cloverleigh Farm. She began growing food as a public high school teacher, before purchasing her own property. She used the funds from the New England Farmer Microgrants Program to develop a strategic business plan for the future of her farm.
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Liberation Farms is a project of the Somali Bantu Community Association. Its mission is to provide community members with access to culturally appropriate and sustainable food. Through the New England Farmer Microgrants Program, they were able to hire a consultant to assist them in their search for their first permanent farm property.
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Lincoln Fishman and his partner, Hilary Costa, operate Sawyer Farm as an organic, horse-powered, no-till farm. They were awarded a 2020 New England Farmer Microgrant, which they used to purchase equipment to expand their on-farm production.
Rachel Slattery and Ben Coerper are the owners of Wild Harmony Farm, a regenerative livestock farm in Rhode Island. They used the funds from their New England Farmer Microgrants Program award to install above-ground water lines throughout their newly leased fields.
Abby Clarke and Jonathan Hayden operate Winter Street Farm, where they are using regenerative agriculture practices to grow sustainably. They used the funds from their New England Farmer Microgrants Program award to purchase a flail mower to continue expanding their no-till operation.
Owned and operated by The Briermost Foundation, Ellsworth Acres is committed to helping residents in recovery learn how they can heal their self-worth and give back. They used a Brighter Future Fund grant to build an additional hoop house.
Fat Beet Farm is an ever-evolving production farm/kitchen/bakery & education space. They used a Brighter Future Fund grant to install a native plants food forest.
Fisher Farms has been serving their community for five generations. With support of a Brighter Future Fund grant, they will install and improve their fencing infrastructure to ensure their valued produce makes it to market.
Partners Amanda Gentry and Wendy Painter are the fifth generation to steward Gentry Farm, a historic family farm nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. With a Brighter Future Fund grant, they will expand their orchard and their toolbox of maintenance equipment.
