Local Farmer Awards

Recognizing that farming is essential to our community, we provide funds to selected local farms for necessary farm improvements. Our goal is to strengthen local farmers’ ability to compete in the marketplace so that our region benefits from the environmental, health and economic advantages of local farming. We also hold a farmer appreciation/celebration event in the late fall to promote the importance of local farming.



Update 2023 

Impact of 2023 Projects


We are pleased to launch the tenth year of the Local Farmer Awards for infrastructure improvements. THE HAROLD GRINSPOON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION in partnership with BIG Y, the MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE, and our generous sponsors Ann & Steve Davis, Charles & Elizabeth D'Amour, Audrey & Chick Taylor, DENUCCI GROUP AT MERRILL LYNCH, FARM CREDIT EAST, HP HOOD LLC, PEOPLESBANK, BAYSTATE HEALTH, COUNTRY BANK, EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION, FRANKLIN FIRST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, and BANKESB will distribute over $150,000 in awards to Western Massachusetts farmers. A FARMER APPRECIATION EVENT is held yearly for all applicants and awardees to honor and recognize our farmers and promote the importance of local farming.
 

Examples of How Local Farmer Awards Have Been Used

Harvest Farm (Whately, MA) used funds for a greenhouse reconstruction project. David Wojciechowski says

“The Local Farmer Awards are extremely important to small businesses that might not be in a position to expand without the help of these awards. They enable growth throughout the Valley.”  

Bardwell Farm (Hatfield, MA) used funds to purchase an eight-foot Unverferth Perfect II field cultivator. Harrison Bardwell says

“We now do not need to reply on others to borrow equipment to get fields prepped. We are happy to have a quality tool on the farm to make the field operation of our farm run smoother!”  

Award Recipients


The team of funders has now given 572 awards and invested over $1.28 Million in local farms. We all continue to be thankful and appreciative that these farmers bring fresh food to our tables, care for the land they farm, and desire to continue to improve their farms. 

Interested in where they work? Find links to maps of the Local Farmer Award Recipients in the right side of this page.
 

 

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How to Apply for an AwardApplication open Jan 1-31

Congratulations to our award recipients! See past years:

Click below for maps of our Local Farmer Award Recipients
2023 WINNERS
2021 & 2022 WINNERS
2018-2020 Winners
2015-2017 Winners

Updates

Impact Reports

 

Farmer Stories

2019
Wellspring Harvest and Springfield's Salad Days​

2018
Anna Meyer, hart Farm

Sarah & Ryan Voiland, Red Fire Farm

Nate Frigard, Crimson & Clover Farm

Topher Sabot, Cricket Creek Farm

Contact

For more information please contact Cari Carpenter: cari@hgf.org or 413-276-0831.

The 2023 Local Farmer Awards are generously funded by:

Ann & Steve Davis Elizabeth & Charles
D'Amour
Audrey & Chick Taylor Peoples Bank