Honoring the nexus of environmental stewardship and agriculture, American Farmland Trust seeks to raise $2 million in total to support its Emergency Resilience Grant program. ERG was formed through generous support from donors and members who came together to help offset the financial disruptions experienced by farming and ranching operations across this nation, primarily due to the loss or delay of government funding. A funding total of $2 million will allow AFT to provide $10,000 to 200 farmers and ranchers. The grants will also support business recovery from the impacts of natural disasters, avian flu and market loss.
Corporations, small businesses and individuals interested in donating to the Emergency Resilience Grant program can do so online at farmland.org/resilience-donate. Every dollar raised will go directly to a farmer or rancher experiencing hardship — and will assist them in building more resilient operations that contribute to their role as stewards of the land. The Brighter Future Fund Emergency Resilience Grants will be prioritized for small to mid-size farms and ranches previously experiencing challenges accessing traditional funding.
Emergency Resilience Grants are part of AFT’s Brighter Future Fund program through which AFT has provided $4.8 million directly to farmers and ranchers since 2020. BFF received corporate support from brands like Domino’s, QVT, Applegate and Giant Foods. It grew out of the Farmer Relief Fund AFT instituted early in the pandemic to aid farmers through the severe market and supply chain disruptions. Over 600 awardees nationwide have been assisted under these programs. Funding helps farmers improve farm viability; access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland; or adopt regenerative agricultural practices.
“The Emergency Resilience Grants will help farmers and ranchers in the short term and provide stability for the future,” said Ashley Brucker, AFT’s senior manager of grantmaking and farm viability. “Donating to the Brighter Future Fund Emergency Resilience Grant program is a way to invest in America’s farming and ranching communities as they struggle with adjusting to fast-moving financial challenges. These grants prioritize small to mid-size farmers who sell at farmers markets, host field trips and provide food to school and food banks. We are proud to do whatever we can to support them.”
“It’s especially meaningful to show our support for farmers during April—Earth Month—as they plant their crops and as we celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. We’re proud to partner with AFT on this vital initiative to protect farmers and the land they steward for us all.” Katheen Rogers, President, EARTHDAY.ORG
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