NORWICH – The Chenango County Agriculture Development Council (ADC) is once again disbursing a series of micro grants aimed at helping small agricultural businesses throughout the area continue to thrive.
This year, the council is administering a series of small grants that range between $200 and $400, which will be awarded to agricultural producers, farm, or farmers markets countywide, with the intent of helping ag businesses advance or market their products. Interested applicants should submit a proposal by June 7.
Eligible uses of funds include supplies, equipment, marketing materials, and other costs associated with implementing a specific project and goals. Ineligible uses include wages, benefits, utilities, rent, and other day to day operating costs of a business or organization.
The ADC is also encouraging proposals that include innovative approaches to the agriculture industry such as new crops, new methods of cultivation, new value added products, new methods of marketing agricultural products, or projects that promote agricultural tourism. In the past, other grant money has been used to compensate the financial losses of farmers who attend farmer’s markets.
ADC committed approximately $2,500 in funding for this year’s round of micro grants, with $1,000 earmarked for increasing producer participation at farmers markets in Chenango County. According to Council Financial Director Jennifer Tavares, the council already allocated a great deal of that funding and $850 still remains for eligible businesses.
“We would really like to help markets grow ... One of the best things we do with small bits of money is give it out to small farmers,” she said. “It can really make a big difference, expecially for businesses on a tight budget.”
Last year, five local businesses claimed funds disbursed by ADC. Lash Taylor, of LT’s Loco Honey in North Norwich, secured $300 for the purchase of signs for his business and hive wraps used to protect bee hives from harsh weather during the winter months. The previous year, the business lost all its hives to extreme climate conditions; by using wraps purchased with grant funds, only three of its 40 hives were lost, making a positive impact on the small businesses bottom line.
The Goat Lady Soap Co. in Columbus also utilized micro grants that business owner Susie Miele said were critical in starting her business.
With $300 in grant funds from ADC, Miele was able to buy banners and business cards to market her products, along with molds and other small items to support her operation.
“It really helped to get my business off the ground,” she said. “It’s been a big help to me.”
Proposals that utilize ADC funds as matching funds to leverage additional outside funding will be given priority consideration by the ADC, as will proposals that indicate the applicant’s use of their own resources to match the requested funds. Agriculture businesses must be in Chenango County and projects must have an impact within the county.
Interested applicants for the ADC micro grants can learn more about the program or request an application by calling 607-334-5841, or email Tavares at jtavares@chenangony.org. Last year’s grant recipients are encouraged not to apply.