west michigan
farmer of color land fund
the land fund supports the following counties:
Muskegon
Newaygo
Oceana
Osceola
Otsego
Ottawa
Roscommon
Saint Joseph
Van Buren
Wexford
Allegan
Antrim
Barry
Benzie
Berrien
Branch
Calhoun
Cass
Charlevoix
Clare
Clinton
Crawford
Eaton
Grand Traverse
Gratiot
Hilsdale
Ionia
Isabella
Kalamazoo
Kalkaska
Kent
Lake
Leelahau
Macosta
Manistee
Mason
Missaukee
For the last 3 years we’ve been working towards ways the community can uplift farmers of color, therefore empowering the whole farming and broader community. The work of the land fund is reclaiming agricultural practices, which can rebuild a connection to land, community, and healthy foods. We know that having access to land empowers communities to be self-sufficient, food secure and resilient in the face of climate chaos and unstable global food systems. Our goal is to address past generational injustices by empowering the creation and expansion of pockets of BIPOC-owned green growing space in urban and rural settings of West Michigan. This is crucial to increasing food security and community resiliency. The land fund aims to support growers in acquiring and/or maintaining land assets. Land ownership is the only pathway towards a just, equitable and sustainable future for farmers. This mutual aid project reached its goal in February and will make the first awards by the end of 2024! Stay posted for an application launch date and join the movement and donate HERE!
Do you Qualify?
You are eligible to apply for funds if you meet all of the following:
- Have at least 2 years experience conducting farm related activities or working on a farm
- Have prospected spaces to purchase for farming and/or conservation efforts, or already have a small to medium-sized farm
- Have demonstrated financial need
- Identify as a historically underserved farmer
- Are currently farming or plan to farm in the land fund's target counties (see above)
- Are willing to submit a W9 and claim the award as income
Applications will be accepted until October 31st, decisions will be made by December 31, 2024. Applications that will support land purchasing, farm land expansion, or land retention will be prioritized. Maximum awards are $10,000 with a total of $50,000 available for funding.
Selection Procees
- Review and Evaluation: Once applications are received, a panel including West Michigan Young Farmers Chapter leaders and other agriculture experts reviews each submission given there is no conflict of interest. The evaluation criteria include the impact of the funds to acquire or retain land, feasibility of the business plan and/or plan for the next growing season, the potential impact of the grant on the farm's success, and the overall benefit to the local community, environment, and economy.
- Interview and Site Visit Phase: The most promising applicants are then invited for an interview and/or asked to host a site visit. This gives the panel a chance to ask further questions and applicants the opportunity to clarify or expound upon their plans.
- Final Decision: After a thorough review and interview process, the panel makes a decision based on the merit of each application. Successful applicants are notified and the land fund award allocation process begins.
Apply for the
Land Fund Here!
