Adirondack Council Farm & Climate Micro-Grants Expanded
Micro-Grants Program Now in 4th Year, Has Awarded $65K to 54 Farms Since 2016
WILLSBORO, N.Y. – The Adirondack Council and its Essex Farm Institute are seeking applicants for its Cool Farm/Healthy Park micro-grant program, which has been expanded this year to support farmers’ professional development, in addition to its grants for climate-friendly farm projects.
The Adirondack Park’s largest environmental advocacy organization and the agricultural institute it sponsors said they want to support local farmers across the park and small businesses in Willsboro by helping them manage their daily operations with less fossil fuel and less waste. This supports a low-carbon Adirondack economy, the Council and the Institute said.
“After providing carbon-friendly project grants to farmers for three years now, it has become clear that local farmers also want help learning cutting-edge skills and techniques for improving farm management,” said Adirondack Council Executive Director William C. Janeway. “Training, education, and planning are all vital to sustainable farming and strong, local economies. Sustainable farms, local food, and local businesses are essential to the park’s quality of life. ”
The Adirondack Park is a mixture of public and private lands. Public lands are protected as “forever wild” by the NYS Constitution. "Private lands include commercial timberlands, farms, resorts, private homes, businesses, and 130 rural communities. Its year-round population of roughly 130,000 is spread across 9,300 square miles of forest.
The Adirondack Council’s Cool Farm/Healthy Park micro-grant program has awarded over $65,000 to 54 Adirondack farms since it began in 2016. The Klipper Family Fund helped to establish the program and continues to support it.
“Climate-smart Adirondack farms and businesses provide our communities with safe local food, jobs and visitor attractions. They help combat global climate change and protect Adirondack water, wildlife and wilderness,” said Courtney Klipper, co-founder of the Klipper Fund. “Adirondack farmers are taking it upon themselves to be greener and better educated. We are delighted to help them achieve that goal.”
“Sustainable local farms help everyone avoid burning fossil fuel to obtain the sustenance, goods, and services we need every day,” said Nathaniel Klipper, the other co-founder of the Klipper Fund. “It has been a pleasure to see this program begin, grow and flourish over the past four years.” Courtney and Nathaniel are part-time residents of the Town of Essex.
Janeway noted that producers across the agricultural spectrum deal every day with the consequences of a warming planet. More frequent and severe storms and abrupt changes in annual rainfall patterns plague farm planning. Greater exposure to pests and invasive species means taking special care to protect native species and farm crops without making warming other pollution problems worse, he said.
Like everyone else, farmers need help meeting those challenges, he said. And so do small business owners. So the Council is offering climate-friendly grants to farmers throughout the Adirondack Park. And like last year, the Council will also offer grants to small businesses in the town where the organization is holding its annual Forever Wild Day celebration.
“It makes sense for us to help all small businesses become and remain sustainable while limiting our impact on the priceless wild lands and waters that surround the park’s communities,” Janeway concluded.
Grants and Application Deadlines:
Climate-friendly Grants
Awarded for energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction, habitat planting, and clean and environmentally healthy sustainable farming (or small business) efforts. Grants range from $500-$1,500. Eligible applicants include farms across the Adirondack Park; and, small businesses in the Willsboro area
Professional Development Grants
Awarded to farm owners or managers pursuing a professional development opportunity (i.e., one-on-one consultations, conferences, training, courses, expenses related to planning) and education materials. PD activities must target the adoption of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices in agriculture and demonstrate the potential for a quantifiable improvement in the farm’s gross margin. Grants range from $600-$1,000. Eligible applicants: Adirondack Farms in operation for 5+ years.
The application notes that farms may apply for only one grant. Applications will be accepted from March 4 through April 1. Recipients will be announced on Earth Day (April 22).
Anyone Can Help
In addition to generous grants from the Klipper Fund and the Spindrift Family Fund the Council supports the micro-grants program through the sale of Carbon Reduction Certificates and Carbon-Zero certificates.
The purchase of a $25 Carbon Reduction Certificate allows the buyer to fund future micro-grants and reduce the regional carbon pollution cap. For every $25 donated, the Adirondack Council will multiply the positive impact of the micro-grants by permanently retiring one carbon emission allowance from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
The Adirondack Council is a privately funded not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. The Council envisions a Park with clean water and clean air, comprised of core wilderness areas, surrounded by farms and working forests, as well as vibrant communities.
The Adirondack Council carries out its mission through research, education, advocacy, and legal action. Adirondack Council members live in all 50 United States.
For more information:
John Sheehan, Adirondack Council, 518-441-1340 cell
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 4, 2019
