Speaker: Anne Freeman Session: Microgrants as Catalysts

1. MICROGRANTS
AS CATALYSTS:
SMALL
DOLLARS, BIG
CHANGE
Anne Freeman, Greenbelt
Farmers’ Market Network
Cheryl Nash, Lanark Local
Flavour/EcoPerth
Dru Montri, Michigan
Farmers’ Market Association

2. Greenbelt Farmers’ Market
Network: New Products Program
- 66 grants to farmers
at Greenbelt markets
- $300-$1000
- Grants for equipment
to develop a new
product
- Responded to
Shopper Study

3. Greenbelt Farmers’ Market
Network: New Products Program
- New Products Program responded to
GBFMN 2010 Shopper Study:
- Found customer demand for:
o broader selection
o organic products
o more value-added products,
o longer market seasons

4. Process and Administration
1. Contact with farmers’ market managers
2. Application
a) Eligibility
3. Selection process
4. Grant conditions
a) Partial Funding
5. Reporting
Sun-Ray Orchards purchased a
convection oven to produce pies, tarts
and muffins, increasing their sales by
20%.

5. Successes and Challenges
Successes
-
-
Response to customer demand
Relationship-building with
growers
Simple administration for
applicants
Incentive to launch
projects, multiplier effect
Challenges
-
Weather
Value-added projects
Reporting follow-up
Short-term evaluation deadline
The Burrs and the
Bees used their grant
for a radial
extractor, and for the
first time, were able
to collect, extract and
sell spring honey.

6. Impact of Microgrants for Farmers
and Key Learnings
Project launch timing
“We are typically planning our year in
December/January. The grant application should
be out at that time and the grant money available
before the start of the season ie, February/
March.”
“If the program started a little earlier, farmers
would be able to purchase materials in the winter
when we have a bit more time. “
By investing in a simple
technology, caterpillar
tunnels, Persephone Market Garden
successfully grew eggplant and
diversified farm produce.

7. Impact of Microgrants for Farmers
and Key Learnings
Success at different scales
Cost-sharing vs. full project funding
- “Initially, I thought the program would fund the machine in its totality. When
the funding was halved this was disappointing. The program should be careful
to indicate more concretely the level of possible funding.”
Au Bon Hectare purchased scales and salad
spinners for a gourmet edible flower bar.
While other market farmers had less
expensive salad greens, theirs always sold out
first because of the quality and appearance.
“It was a hit!,” the farmers remarked.

8. Impact of Microgrants for Farmers
and Key Learnings
Projects likely to be successful: Equipment for season extension
One grower's sales of sweet potatoes, which they trialed in 2011 but were able
to grow under row covers supported by a grant in 2012, were “more than
double because we were able to come early (3 weeks) and sell everything by
the end of the market season.”
“The new products have given us the desired bridge into the year-round
Farmers’ Market scene. The greens have complemented our late season
harvest vegetables and given us the confidence that we really do have enough
variety and quantity to be a part of the Winter Farmers’ Market possibilities.”
Kind Organics invested in a greenhouse
furnace to grow winter greens and
sprouts. The Furnace added $5,000$10,000 to the farm’s yearly
income, extending the growing season
and providing a critical winter revenue.

9. Impact of Microgrants for Farmers
and Key Learnings
Projects likely to be successful: tools for enhancing existing production
Eg, Vacuum sealer and bag stitcher
Neufeld Family Farm’s new bag-stitcher
seals bags of potatoes and stone ground
wheat flour. The machine allows them
to sell flour in large bulk bags to market
customers and bakeries, and they no
longer need to sell potatoes in more
expensive wooden bushels.

10. Impact of Microgrants for Farmers
and Key Learnings
Consider grant amounts: Increasing
amounts from $300-1000 to $500-1500
would still cover only a fraction of the total
cost of most projects, but would allow
bigger undertakings.
Consider the timing for evaluating program
results: product development, farm
business growth, and real financial impacts
can take longer than a few months
Especially for developing value-added
products
Budget for adequate administrative
support, and be realistic about follow-up
expectations
The grant allowed Green Gate Farms to
vacuum package their individual cuts
of meat, making it visible to customers
and better suited to be sold in stores.

11. greenbeltfarmersmarketnetwork@gmail.com
www.greenbeltfresh.ca

12. Questions for Discussion
What the areas of need in your region? How could a microgrant
program respond to this need?
Who are potential funders?
Who could deliver the program?