From STAFF REPORTS

BAINBRIDGE — Do you purchase locally grown food? If so, then you are part of the growing segment of our population who like knowing the origin of their food and in turn, are helping to support farmers in their local communities.
“People enjoy buying produce on the local level and knowing who grew it and where it was grown,” said Brian Wilson, Relationship Manager at Southwest Georgia Farm Credit. “And they know that the road side stands, u-pick farms and farmers’ markets in their communities are the best places to buy local produce and products.”
Realizing the importance of accessibility to locally grown products, Southwest Georgia Farm Credit began the Fresh from the Farm Mini-Grant program five years ago as a way to provide cash for marketing and promotions to road side u-picks and farmers’ markets. “The Fresh from the Farm program is an opportunity for us to collaborate with those farmers who sell locally grown produce in their communities,” Wilson said.
Through an application process, the association picks 10 qualifying producers each year and donates $500 to each, mostly for marketing and promotional purposes. Since 2013, Southwest Georgia Farm Credit has awarded 42 grants, providing $21,000 to local, small farmers.
The application for Fresh From the Farm mini-grants is available at the Conferences/Grants Link under the Latest News on the Community Tab at SWGAFarmCredit.com or by contacting Frances Edmunds at 229-493-0140 or by email at fedmunds@SWGAFarmCredit.com. Completed grant applications can be mailed to Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, Attention: Fresh from the Farm, 305 Colquitt Highway, Bainbridge GA 39817; emailed to fedmunds@SWGAFarmCredit.com; or faxed to 888-834-9128. Completed applications must be received by April 14.