AGAWAM — Farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for the 12th year of the Local Farmer Awards, which provide grants of up to $2,500 to support critical capital improvement projects on local farms.

The awards help farmers invest in equipment and infrastructure related to planting, growing, harvesting, and processing — tools that strengthen farm operations, improve efficiency, and enhance competitiveness in the marketplace.

The Local Farmer Awards ia a program of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Big Y, the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, and other funders. Now in its 12th year, the program has supported more than 320 farmers and funded 788 projects across the region.

Past awards have enabled farmers to make meaningful upgrades, such as installing irrigation systems, purchasing no-till and cultivation equipment, improving fencing and livestock infrastructure, upgrading wash and pack station, and expanding milk storage and bottling capacity.

“Supporting local farmers is an investment in our community,” said Matt Bannister, senior vice president, Corporate Responsibility and Sponsorships at PeoplesBank. “We are proud to support this program, and I am continually inspired by the creativity, resilience, and impact of the projects farmers undertake with these awards.”

To be eligible, farms must be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire county and have gross annual farm sales of at least $10,000. A full list of eligibility requirements and application details is available at www.farmerawards.org. The application deadline is Jan. 31.

AGAWAM — Grants of up to $2,500 have been awarded to 116 farmers in Western Mass. as part of this year’s Local Farmer Awards. These grants, totaling $267,850, which support a variety of farm operations and capital-improvement projects, are funded by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Big Y, the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, and other community funders. This year, the program celebrates its 11th year with a record number of recipients.

“As the growing season begins, we’re proud to support local farmers by investing directly in them and their success — whether they’re planting crops, tending to dairy and livestock year-round, or producing seasonal favorites like maple syrup,” said Charlie D’Amour, executive chairman of the board at Big Y. “These grants aren’t just about dollars — they’re an investment in our communities and support the stability and growth of our local farms to help ensure that they can continue to feed our communities for generations to come.”

The Local Farmer Awards program helps new and established farms make essential investments — such as irrigation, storage, and equipment upgrades — with farmers also contributing their own resources to strengthen their operations.

Karl Prahl, farmer and owner of Underline Farm in Easthampton, received an award to purchase new grain silos. “This grant means everything to our farm,” he said. “With the rising cost of grain, being able to store feed in bulk will help us keep costs down and keep our meat prices affordable for local families.”

In addition to the four funding partners listed above, other funders include Ann and Steve Davis, Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour, Robin and Audrey Taylor, Barbara Deslauriers, PeoplesBank, DeNucci Group Merrill, Eastern States Exposition, Andrews, HP Hood, Baystate Health, Three County Fair, Smith College, bankESB, Country Bank, and Franklin First Federal Credit Union.

“With 788 projects supported to date in our region, we’ve seen firsthand how these grants, funded by community businesses and individual philanthropists, help farmers make meaningful improvements that strengthen their businesses,” said Cari Carpenter, director of the Local Farmer Awards. “This year, the program received 207 applications, leaving 91 worthy projects unfunded, clearly illustrating the growing need for support among the region’s farmers. Our local farmers rely on our collective efforts, and we should all consider purchasing fresh, locally grown products when possible.”

AGAWAM — Farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. These grants are intended to help farmers purchase capital equipment related to planting, growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace.

The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in partnership with Big Y, the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, along with the support of other funders, is entering its second decade of this program, which has helped more than 300 farmers carry out a total of 672 projects.

The awards have helped farmers make necessary improvements such as upgrading electric fencing, purchasing no-till equipment, expanding irrigation, installing frost-free water systems, purchasing feed troughs, and applying shade cloths for greenhouses.

“We are delighted to once again support farmers in Western Massachusetts through these grants. It is truly inspiring to witness the creativity, thoughtfulness, and uniqueness they bring to their projects,” said John Lee, president of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture.

To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 and be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire county. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application information, visit www.farmerawards.org. The deadline for applying is Jan. 31.

AGAWAM — At its annual Farmer Appreciation Party held at Smith College on the evening of Dec. 5, the Local Farmer Awards program honored the farmers of the four counties of Western Mass. while featuring food grown or produced by local farmers.

“The purpose of the party is to reinforce the vital role farmers play in our region,” said Mark Gold, director of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF). In addition to partners HGCF, Big Y, and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, sponsors of these awards for capital improvements include Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour, Ann and Steve Davis, Audrey and Chick Taylor, Barbara Deslauriers, PeoplesBank, Andrews, DeNucci Group at Merrill Lynch, Eastern States Exposition, Farm Credit East, HP Hood, Baystate Health, Country Bank, Three County Fair, Franklin First Federal Credit Union, and bankESB.

In front of a crowd of 130 guests including farmers, funders, and friends of the Local Farmer Awards, eight farmers shared “90-second Farm Project Success Stories” during the program portion of the event. These stories briefly explained the impact of the capital projects implemented with the help of a Local Farmer Award.

The farmers who shared the benefit of the grants they received were Julia Coffey, Mycoterra Farm, aquifer irrigation system; Laurie Cuevas, Thomas Farm, goat-scratching brush; David Drugan, Buzz Off Bee Co., honey-extraction equipment; William Ellison, Ellison Farms Beef LLC, fencing to convert hayland to pasture; Luke Longstreth Mountainside Maple, energy-efficient vacuum pump; Carl Salsedo, Salsedo Family Farm, irrigation for high tunnels; Robert Schrader, Chestnut Mountain Tree Farm, pesticide applicator; and Suna Turgay, Flowerwork Farm, climate-smart low tunnels.

Another highlight of the evening was Commissioner of Agriculture Ashley Randle saying a few words. In addition to complimenting farmers on their hard work, she read a few words on behalf of Harold Grinspoon, founder and philanthropist for the program.

“This program is very important to us,” Grinspoon related. “It is about honoring and celebrating farmers. We are indebted to you because you till the land, you work long hours, you grow the crops, and you harvest the food even in fickle weather. We think of you as unique entrepreneurs. Your skills benefit us because you keep us healthy.”

In April 2024, 100 farmers received awards totaling $231,000 to help with farm improvements. Most farmers began their projects in the spring. In January 2025, the application for the 11th year of the Local Farmer Awards will open.

AGAWAM — Checks of up to $2,500 have been sent to 100 Western Mass. farms that are recipients of this year’s Local Farmer Awards. Supporting a diverse range of farm operations and infrastructure projects, the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, along with other funders, issued a record number of awards in the program’s 10th year.

A team of independent reviewers read each of the 199 applications submitted this year. These reviewers selected 100 farms to receive a 2024 grant from the Local Farmer Awards. The capital projects include the purchase of an egg-washing machine, livestock pasture expansion, reusable harvest bins, a cover-crop flail mower for reduced tillage, mobile chicken coops, and many more.

Elyse Cote, production manager at Mountain View Farm in Easthampton, explained that “this award will help us purchase a Tilmor mounted tine weeder, allowing us to invest in a time-saving cultivation technique that I am very excited to get to use this growing season. We are super appreciative of this support from our community.”

Harold Grinspoon, philanthropist and founder of the program, noted that “the farmers in our region have done so much for our economy and food supply, yet these wonderful folks never ask for anything. I’m so proud that the Local Farmer Awards have served their needs for the past 10 years with cash awards for capital improvements amounting to $1.5 million.”

The program funders collectively contributed more than $230,000 this year to assist these local farmers. Funders include the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, Big Y, Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, PeoplesBank, Ann and Steve Davis, Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour, Barbara Deslauriers, Audrey and Chick Taylor, Andrews, Farm Credit East, Hood, the DeNucci Group at Merrill, Baystate Health, Country Bank, Eastern States Exposition, Three County Fair, bankESB, and Franklin First Federal Credit Union.

“We are proud to support the diverse farming enterprises featured in this year’s winning selection,” said John Lee, president of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture.

Cari Carpenter, Local Farmer Awards director, added that “we are delighted to be able to support 100 farms in our 10th year. In 2015, our inaugural year, we provided funds for 33 farms. We would have liked to have been able to provide support to more of the farms that applied this year, but our fund limit required the reviewers to make some difficult choices.”

Anyone interested in supporting the 2025 Local Farmer Awards should email Carpenter at [email protected].

AGAWAM — Following a year of enormous challenges, a record 199 Western Mass. farmers recently applied for infrastructure-improvement grants from the Local Farmer Awards, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation. This represents a 21% increase in applications from last year.

“Farmers are struggling,” said Harold Grinspoon, founder of the Local Farmer Awards. “They work so hard and never ask for help. These capital improvements for their farms can help them continue to support our economy and food supply.”

Three new funders helped increase the available funding for the projects. Three County Fair, Andrew Associates, and PeoplesBank Workplace Giving Campaign joined the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, Big Y, and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the program’s partners, along with a team of 15 funders committed to supporting local farms.

“Forty-six of the farms are first-time applicants,” said Cari Carpenter, director of the program. “The project descriptions farmers submitted are excellent. Our reviewers will have their hands full selecting the best among them.”

Carpenter recognizes the challenge ahead to try to find funding to support even more of these projects. She and the Local Farmer Awards team are already reaching out to prospective funders to help close the gap.

The Local Farmer Awards is in its 10th year of helping local farms grow. To date, the program has helped 266 local farms with 572 infrastructure projects totaling $1.28 million invested in the local farming community.

AGAWAM — Farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. These awards are for capital and infrastructure improvement projects related to planting, growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace.

The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, along with the support of other funders, is entering the 10th year of the awards program, which has helped more than 260 farmers carry out a total of 572 projects. The Three County Fair is a new addition to the group of funders this year.

The awards have helped farmers make necessary improvements, such as upgrading electric fencing, purchasing no-till equipment, expanding irrigation, installing frost-free water systems, purchasing feed troughs, and applying shade cloths for greenhouses.

“We’re honored and pleased to be able to support our local farmers and their families with these practical and impactful grants,” said Charlie D’Amour, CEO of Big Y. “Seeing how these awards are creatively and intelligently applied not only highlights the resiliency of our local farm community, but underscores the needs and support we can provide.”

To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 and be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire County. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application information, visit www.farmerawards.org. The deadline for applying is Jan. 31.

AGAWAM — The Local Farmer Awards distributed grants totaling $225,000 to 97 farms in Western Mass. this year, a 30% increase over the number of 2022 recipients. These grants of up to $2,500 empower farmers to purchase essential equipment for planting, growing, harvesting, and processing. All projects include a funding commitment by the farm as well.

The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, along with 12 other funders, provide financial support for these Local Farmer Awards. Other community sponsors include Ann and Steve Davis, Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour, Audrey and Chick Taylor, PeoplesBank, the DeNucci Group at Merrill Lynch, Farm Credit East, HP Hood, Eastern States Exposition, Baystate Health, Country Bank, Franklin First Federal Credit Union, and bankESB.

Long-time funder Steve Davis, a partner at Vimco Corp., is grateful for having the opportunity to support this program. “Farming is a bedrock of community,” he said. “We are fortunate to have so many hardworking farmers and farms in our area.”

This year the Local Farmer Awards received a record 182 applications. Program Director Cari Carpenter noted that “we are so excited about the 97 farm winners, but our available funding did not allow us to support many additional requests for projects that are so needed on our local farms.”

Roughly two-thirds of this year’s awards went to farms in Hampshire and Franklin counties, with the remainder split between Hampden and Berkshire counties, and a few awards going to farms just across the Massachusetts border that participate in Massachusetts farming programs. About 25% of the recipients were new farmers (five or fewer years in business), and another 34% have been in business more than 20 years, many being multi-generational farms. The largest number of winners focus on vegetables and meat, while others include maple, fruit, dairy, and flower farms.

Click here for the entire list of winners and their projects.

AGAWAM — Starting Jan. 1, farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. These awards are for capital and infrastructure-improvement projects related to growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace.

The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, in partnership with Big Y and with the support of other funders, is entering the eighth year of the awards program, which has helped more than 225 farmers carry out a total of 400 projects.

Some examples of how the awards have been used include a commercial egg washer, irrigation systems, shade cloth for a greenhouse, high-tensile fencing for rotational grazing, a feed wagon, and a maple cream machine. Philanthropist and project founder Harold Grinspoon noted that “farmers don’t typically ask for help. They are genuinely appreciative of these awards and use the money in creative ways for projects to help their businesses.”

To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 or above and either be a member of Berkshire Grown or Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture or reside in one the four counties of Western Mass.

The deadline for applying is Jan. 31. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.farmerawards.org for more information.

AGAWAM — The Local Farmer Awards program, funded since 2015 by community philanthropic leaders and businesses, recently distributed checks of up to $2,500 to 81 farmers in Western Mass. and Eastern New York. The funds, totaling $180,000, support infrastructure improvements and equipment.

“Our local farmers continue to be an intrinsic and crucial part of our communities. We recognize their growing need for assistance now more than ever,” said funding partner Charles D’Amour, Big Y president and CEO. “For over 85 years, Big Y has been proud to support hardworking farmers and their families, and as partners with the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, we provide one more way to help our local growers thrive.”

In its short history, the awards program has made more than $900,000 available to local growers, who have become better positioned to expand, compete in the marketplace, and provide the public with the health and environmental benefits of local farming.

Not surprisingly, the pandemic fueled a need for some unexpected projects and new equipment. Stillman Quality Meats in Hardwick won its award to purchase a commercial egg-washing machine necessitated by a 10-fold increase in demand for eggs, a demand now anticipated to grow.

Winner Gideon Porth, owner of Atlas Farm in Deerfield, added that “we are incredibly grateful for funds to buy a flat-filling machine for our greenhouse operation, a quantum leap in both labor efficiency and uniformity of flats for seeding. Our plants and people are loving it.”

Program funders, all of whom recognize the urgent need to invest in local farms, include the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Big Y, along with Ann and Steve Davis, the DeNucci Group at Merrill Lynch, Farm Credit East, HP Hood LLC, PeoplesBank, Audrey and Chick Taylor, Baystate Health, Country Bank, and others.

Local Farmer Awards Director Cari Carpenter of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation noted that farmers have exhibited enormous persistence, creativity, and great spirit throughout COVID-19. “We are incredibly fortunate to be able to purchase local farm products at farmers’ markets, farm stands, CSA [community supported agriculture] shares, and in our grocery stores. We urge all consumers to continue buying local farm products whenever and wherever they can.”

AGAWAM — At an essential time for local farmers, a group of community philanthropic leaders and businesses have come together to fund the Local Farmer Awards for the sixth year in a row. More than 70 farmers in Western Mass. received checks of up to $2,500 for farm infrastructure improvements and equipment. In all, this year’s Local Farmer Awards totaled $157,500.

Over the past five years, the Local Farmer Awards have provided nearly $750,000 to support local growers, helping farmers expand their businesses, compete in the marketplace, and continue to provide the health and environmental benefits of local farming. As COVID-19 causes farmers to lose large customers such as restaurants and schools, the need for assistance is greater than ever.

“We are excited and honored to receive this award, and we are committed to growing healthy, organic food for our community,” said Casey Steinberg of Old Friends Farm. “People say that it takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes a community to raise a farm and grow a vibrant local food system. We are honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from our customers and all the ways we are held and embraced.”

Local Farmer Award funders have come together because they recognize the importance of investing in local farms. They include the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Big Y along with Ann and Steve Davis, Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour, HP Hood LLC, Farm Credit East, PeoplesBank, Baystate Health, Eastern States Exposition, and others.

“Now more than ever, our local farmers and their farms are an intrinsic and crucial part of our communities. We recognize their growing need for assistance,” said Big Y President and CEO Charles D’Amour. “For nearly 85 years, Big Y has been proud to support hardworking farmers and their families, and during this time we are pleased to partner with the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation to provide one more way to help our local growers thrive.”

The Local Farmer Awards team notes that farmers are showing creativity and resilience in these challenging times by shifting how and where they sell their products. Director Cari Carpenter noted that “we have many great options for purchasing local farm products, and we can support our farmers by buying their products whenever and wherever we can.”

Berkshire Grown and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, both advocates for farming and agriculture, have provided guidance for this program since its inception. A farmer celebration event will be held in late fall to recognize all applicants and promote local agriculture.