Slow Food Sonoma County North offers a competitive grant of $1000 to a local farmer or rancher in Sonoma County who meets the eligibility criteria below. The grant period is 2 years, and the next funding cycle will begin in March, 2027. Applications will be due in February, 2027.
This grant was established in honor of Marcia and Al Silver, supporters of Slow Food, farmers’ markets, and growers of all ages. It is an annual financial award for a farmer or rancher in Sonoma County, used to assist him or her in building a successful business. The grant may be used for education/conferences, farm equipment, farm infrastructure, or farm marketing services. Each grant recipient is given a one-year membership to our Slow Food USA chapter, Sonoma County North.
Grant Eligibility
The applicant must:
• be actively farming/ranching in Sonoma County, or seeking to begin a career in Sonoma County farming/ranching with demonstrated history of preparing for such a career (e.g., internship, apprenticeship, farm labor);
• attend Slow Food Sonoma County North’s annual chapter meeting as a featured presenter of what he/she accomplished with the grant;
• participate in appropriate chapter events whenever possible (perhaps hosting a visit to his/her ranch/farm);
• submit a brief final report describing how the Slow Food grant helped in meeting his/her goals.
Examples of Needs for Funding*
• Education/Conferences
(e.g., The Farm Academy; Ranching for Profit; Grange Farm School; Ecological Farming Conference; California Small Farms Conference)
• Farm/Ranch equipment
• Farm/Ranch infrastructure (e.g., fencing, irrigation)
• Farm/Ranch marketing services (e.g., website development, brochures)
• Drought mitigation
• Flood damage restoration
*These are examples; all needs will be considered.
Benefits to Slow Food Grant Recipients
• You will be highlighted at our annual chapter meeting;
• You may participate in all Slow Food events, including farm and producer tours and farm policy discussions;
• You may offer Slow Food members a tour of your farm or ranch;
• You will have the opportunity to meet and network with others who believe in “good, clean, fair” food.
• You will have the chance to educate members about all aspects of starting and/or operating a sustainable farm or ranch.
Local Farmer Project Leader: Lisa Hunter