Dear Friends, Farmers and Supporters of Local, Sustainable Agriculture

December 1, 2011

Dear friends, farmers and supporters of local, sustainable agriculture,

Greetings from the Community Food Co-op. The Co-op Farm Fund is now accepting grant applications for the 2012 season. The goal of the Farm Fund is to support and grow the local food and farming economy and increase the amount of locally and sustainably produced products available for sale.

Farm Fund Grants support innovative projects that strengthen local, sustainable agriculture and our local food system. Grant projects are intended to benefit the community at large, or several farms rather than just one business. A model that other farms can use; projects that include public workshops; or collaborative endeavors are all acceptable. If your farm has an individual project, we encourage you to look at our revolving loan program (click on the Farm Fund graphic on the left hand sidebar at www.communityfood.coop). If you have questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Examples of some past grant recipients:  Sustainable Connections - Food to Bank On  Bellingham and Ferndale Farmers Markets  Local Food Works  Organic seed saving workshops (Uprising Seeds/Organic Seed Alliance)  Kulshan Community Land Trust (Access to Affordable Land for Farming)  The Food Bank Farm  Whatcom Grain Project (farm collaboration)

The 2012 Farm Fund grant cycle includes approximately $5,000 for: projects that: build the market for local farms; encourage ecological and socially responsible stewardship of our farmland; increase community access to, and awareness of, local food and producers; benefit the Co-op membership; and provide disaster relief (if needed).

The attached applications are also available by emailing Jean at [email protected] or online at www.communityfood.coop. Contact Jean Rogers, 734-8158, ext. 217 for more information.

Enclosed are the Farm Fund brochure and grant application materials. Applications are due Friday February 3, 2012. Please pass this information along to any other farms, projects or organizations that you feel fit our criteria. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Jim Ashby, General Manager, Community Food Co-op Brent Harrison, Farm Fund Committee Chair The Farm Fund Committee