The Island Institute is pleased to announce awards through the Four-Season Island Agriculture Fund, supporting 12 island farming and gardening projects, and totaling $10,000.
The fund seeks to support farming and gardening projects that contribute to increasing the amount of locally produced food, and/or raising awareness about island-based agricultural efforts and heritage. Since its launch in May 2009, the fund has supported 37 agricultural projects totaling $30,000 in awards, distributed to year-round, unbridged island communities along the coast. The fund is made possible by the 1772 Foundation.
Receiving grants of $300 to $1,500 each, spring 2010 award recipients include:
Chebeague Island: Green Lantern Garden Project to acquire farming implements and tools.
Cliff Island: Cliff Island School to send head-teacher, Josh Halloway, to aquaponics training at Herring Gut Learning Center.
Frenchboro: Lenfestey Farm Project to increase island-based egg production and access; Ann Fernald to increase garden production through season extension equipment.
Islesboro: Islesboro Central School for summer-market management; Cheryl Gaudiana-Erskine, in support of a new greenhouse.
Monhegan: The Island Farm Project for leadership and purchase of supplies.
Peaks Island: The Peaks Island Community Garden for a tool shed; Christina and Rusty Foster in support of season extension equipment.
Vinalhaven: Free-range Poultry Project for chicken-coop upgrades, fencing and supplies; Vinalhaven Middle School’s raised bed project to provide a stipend for summer management; Dean and Kate Stockman towards a 20′ x 48′ greenhouse.
For more information about future programming to support island agriculture initiatives please click here.
Annie Brown is island foodways manager at the Island Institute.