By Mackenzie Kegans, Reporter
Two farms in the Sterling area have been given grants to increase production of food in the region at the beginning of the month. The grants were given as part of a program to increase food security throughout Massachusetts. A third local farm is applying for similar funding.
The grants were acquired by a non-profit organization called Central Mass Grown from state legislators in order to increase food security in the region. The grant totals $30 million and was given to several farms, schools, pantries, and local food retailers that sell and provide locally grown foods.
In an interview, Executive Director of Central Mass Grown, Mackenzie May commented on the grants given and how they benefit the community.
“The grants given total 300 projects and over 1,300 applications” she said. “They are given in the interest of local food systems, farmers providing workshops and training for other farmers, and to increase consumer awareness as well.”
In order to show how the grants affect the farmers and the communities they run in, Central Mass Grown put on a farm tour for state legislators to see the impact of the grant they gave. The tour ran on September 3 and featured a few farms in the Sterling area. The farms included in the tour included Lilac Hedge Farm in Holden, Pineo Family Farm, and Maplebrook Farmstead, both located in Sterling.
Lilac Hedge Farm was given the most funding out of the three, receiving about $456,575 in grant money. The farm says they will use the money to create ice machines and better ways to cool and deliver their products, and will also build a packing barn.
Pineo Farm on Tuttle Road was given $6,800 in grant money. The money will be used to increase water flow at the farm and to increase programming partnerships with Monty Tech to increase overall food production and security in the surrounding areas. They will also get a new waterwheel and refrigerator.
Maplebrook Farm, also on Tuttle Road, was included in the farm tour but has not yet been given any grant money. The purpose for showing Maplebrook Farm was to show state legislators that there are still plenty of farms who could benefit from more grant money being given out. Maplebrook Farm is specifically seeking money to build a well on their property.
As a result of the tour, legislators have approved another $15 million in grant money for a similar goal.The grant is specifically for infrastructure and capital investments for all farms, schools and local food retailers.
Any farms that could benefit from grant money for this project should go to centralmassgrown.org to fill out an application. The deadline for applications is October 31.
Statewide, several farms, pantries, schools, and local food retailers that sell and provide locally grown foods recently received grants intended to increase food production and food security in the area. Overall, the $30 million dollars in grant money has already funded 300 projects across all receiving organizations. Applications to receive additional grants are open until October 31.
COURTESY: Central Mass Grown