King County food activists win advocate of the year and lifetime achievement awards from Tilth Alliance

At the 2023 Tilth Conference in October, Nyema Clark was named Advocate of the Year. Clark is founder and director of Nurturing Roots Farm in Seattle, her hometown. Nurturing Roots Farm was born out of Clark's desire to create a space where people from diverse backgrounds could come together to learn about and engage with the food system.

Lettuce Help Center: A Hub for Rejected Food Without a Market

Congratulations to Cascadia Produce LLC, for being awarded an Industrial Symbiosis grant from the Department of Commerce. In partnership with the Seattle Good Business Network and Cedar Grove Composting, Cascadia produce’s project called Lettuce Help Center has massive potential to divert organic waste from landfills and make sure good quality, rescued food finds a plate. Reposted from Washington Department of Ecology.

WA State Organic & Sustainable Farming Fund now accepting grant applications

Tilth Alliance is now accepting applications from farmers who seek financial assistance in support of projects that improve the economic viability, social impact, or environmental sustainability of their farm businesses and community. The goal of this grant program is to support organic and regenerative agricultural practices and mitigate climate change across the state of Washington.

Events + Announcements

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021 may be eligible for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. USDA continues to accept applications for the program. The deadline to apply here is Jan.13, 2024. 

Join Thurston Conservation District for a locally-based conference for farmers and ranchers, growers and gardeners, and those passionate about local food. This two-day event will celebrate our local food economy while also diving into some of the place-specific impacts of climate change. Learn more and register here.

The National Young Farmers Coalition is accepting applications for the Young Farmer Grant Program. This year, forty-five awards will go to businesses already in operation, and five to farm and ranch operations starting up in 2024. Applications are open until January 15th, 2024, learn more here.

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Interested in learning more about the Local Food Initiative? Click here to learn more about the 2024 planning process.