Help Build the Jefferson County Farmer Recovery Fund

The Jefferson County Farmers Market is establishing a Farmer Recovery Fund, a small grant program inspired by the Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance's Good Farmer Fund. Community support is essential for the development and success of this fund. Donations from the community will directly assist local farmers in times of crisis.

Farming can be challenging, even under ideal conditions. Small farms, especially new ones, operate on such tight margins that even a single emergency can result in severe financial consequences. With your support, we are establishing a grant program that will help mitigate the financial impact of crop loss resulting from extreme weather, damage to equipment or infrastructure, or losses caused by fire, flooding, heavy snow, or predators affecting livestock.

This grant program will strengthen local food security and contribute to a more sustainable local economy by providing essential assistance to Jefferson County Farmers Market farms during difficult times.

Goal:

To support farms in Jefferson directly adjoining counties that participate in the Jefferson County Farmers Markets, in overcoming challenges that can severely affect the viability of small farm businesses. This grant program will help retain market farmers and ensure that agriculture remains a sustainable part of our local economy. In addition to providing funds, we strive to support local farmers in our community by helping with work parties or generating other forms of support, empowering them to recover stronger and with greater resilience.

Eligibility:

Must be a farm vendor currently selling in the Jefferson County Farmers Markets from Jefferson, Clallam, Kitsap, Grays Harbor, Mason, or Island counties.
Need is due to forces beyond the farm's control: (a) flood, (b) fire, (c) storms, (d) unavoidable disease, (e) accident or health of producer or direct family.
Farms are limited to one award every 3 years for the same event type: flood, storm, fire, accident/health.
The award is limited to $4,000 annually as available funds allow.

Anticipated Use:

We expect that we will award 1-5 grants per year, or as much as $20,000
Any funds raised that are not expensed in a season will roll over to the next season

Jefferson County Farmer Recovery Fund

Support local farmers when crisis strikes.