Slow Food Sonoma County North is offering a grant of $500 to a local farmer or rancher in Sonoma County who meets the eligibility criteria below. The grant recipient may also apply for an additional $500 as an interest-free loan to be repaid within 2 years of the grant award date.

To apply, complete the application form and submit it no later than December 10, 2021. (You may also mail a hard copy to 1321 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg 95448.) Applicants who meet the requirements of the application will be invited to an interview scheduled in December. The grant start date is January 1, 2022.

Background

This grant was established in honor of Marcia and Al Silver, supporters of Slow Food, farmers markets, and growers of all ages.  It is an annual financial award for a farmer or rancher in Sonoma County, used to assist him or her in building a successful business. The grant may be used for education/conferences, or farm or ranch equipment, infrastructure, or marketing services. Each grant recipient is given a one-year membership to Slow Food USA.

Slow Food is an international organization founded in Italy in 1997. Our chapter is Sonoma County North and is one of two active chapters in Sonoma County. Slow Food envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it, and good for the planet. Our approach is based on a concept of food that is defined by three interconnected principles: good, clean, and fair.

Grant Eligibility

The applicant must:
• be actively farming/ranching in Sonoma County, or seeking to begin a career in Sonoma County farming/ranching with demonstrated history of preparing for such a career (e.g., internship, apprenticeship, farm labor);
• attend Slow Food Sonoma County North’s annual chapter meeting as a featured presenter of what he/she accomplished with the grant;
• participate in appropriate chapter events whenever possible (perhaps hosting a visit to his/her ranch/farm);
• submit a brief final report describing how the Slow Food grant helped in meeting his/her goals.  

Examples of Needs for Grant Funding*

• Education/Conferences
(e.g., The Farm Academy; Ranching for Profit; Grange Farm School; Ecological Farming Conference; California Small Farms Conference)
• Farm/Ranch equipment
• Farm/Ranch infrastructure (e.g., fencing, irrigation)
• Farm/Ranch marketing services (e.g., website development, brochures)
• Drought mitigation

*These are examples; all needs will be considered.

Benefits to Slow Food Grant Recipients

• You will be highlighted at our annual chapter meeting;
• You may participate in all Slow Food events, including farm and producer tours and farm policy discussions;
• You may offer Slow Food members a tour of your farm or ranch;
• You will have the opportunity to meet and network with others who believe in “good, clean, fair” food.
• You will have the chance to educate members about all aspects of starting and/or operating a sustainable farm or ranch.