Applications Open Jan. 1 for Local Farmer Awards

AGAWAM — Farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for the 12th year of the Local Farmer Awards, which provide grants of up to $2,500 to support critical capital improvement projects on local farms.

The awards help farmers invest in equipment and infrastructure related to planting, growing, harvesting, and processing — tools that strengthen farm operations, improve efficiency, and enhance competitiveness in the marketplace.

The Local Farmer Awards ia a program of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with Big Y, the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, and other funders. Now in its 12th year, the program has supported more than 320 farmers and funded 788 projects across the region.

Past awards have enabled farmers to make meaningful upgrades, such as installing irrigation systems, purchasing no-till and cultivation equipment, improving fencing and livestock infrastructure, upgrading wash and pack station, and expanding milk storage and bottling capacity.

“Supporting local farmers is an investment in our community,” said Matt Bannister, senior vice president, Corporate Responsibility and Sponsorships at PeoplesBank. “We are proud to support this program, and I am continually inspired by the creativity, resilience, and impact of the projects farmers undertake with these awards.”

To be eligible, farms must be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire county and have gross annual farm sales of at least $10,000. A full list of eligibility requirements and application details is available at www.farmerawards.org. The application deadline is Jan. 31.