News Release
four-season island agriculture fund now accepting applications
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2010
Contact: Shey Conover, 207-594-9209, x115, 207-522-4672 (cell) or sconover@islandinstitute.org
rockland, maine– As Maine-island gardeners and farmers eagerly prepare for the 2010 growing season, the Island Institute is pleased to announce a second round of funding available through the Four-Season Island Agriculture Fund, made possible by the 1772 Foundation. This small-grant program is designed to support sustainable-agriculture projects in MaineÕs 15 unbridged year-round island communities.
The fund seeks to support farming/gardening projects that will contribute towards increasing the amount of locally produced food, and/or raising awareness about island-based agricultural efforts and heritage.
Funding priorities include:
- Capital-improvement projects: Many islanders have expressed interest in expanding their farming and gardening to increase the amount of locally produced food available on-island, and to extend their growing season. Capital-improvement grants are intended to assist individuals and organizations in meeting this goal by funding projects such as cold-frame and/or greenhouse construction, or other farm/garden improvement projects.
- Professional development opportunities: There is growing interest from island schools and community organizations to incorporate farming/gardening into formal and informal, K-12 and adult education initiatives. The professional-development grants are intended to assist individuals and organizations who wish to attend or lead workshops to gather and spread information about the practice and value of local sustainable agriculture.
Applications are due Monday, April 5th, 2010. Individuals as well as organizations are encouraged to apply. For more information about the Four-Season Island Agriculture Fund, to view complete grant guidelines, and to learn how to apply, please visit: www.islandinstitute.org/silgrants
###
The Island Institute partners with MaineÕs year-round island and working-waterfront communities
to ensure that they remain vibrant places to live and work.