Tractor Supply Company and American Farmland Trust (AFT) announced the recipients of AFT’s Brighter Future Fund grants. Through the fund, 110 farmers and farm families will receive a grant of up to $10,000 to help them improve, maintain, expand as well as advance their farms.
This year, 85 of the 110 Brighter Future Fund grants were made possible through Tractor Supply’s $850,000 donation in honor of the company’s 85th anniversary.
Among this year’s grant recipients was Rachel Catlett of Brown Dog Farm. She is a shepherd who uses regenerative farming practices to raise a fiber flock of heritage breed sheep and goats. She will use the grant for permanent fencing, barn repairs and also animal handling equipment.
“Tractor Supply’s 85th anniversary donation to AFT is demonstration of our ongoing commitment to agriculture across the nation,” said Mary Winn Pilkington, president of the Tractor Supply Company Foundation. “Farmers and farm families are the backbone of our country and also the communities we serve. These 85 grant recipients fill us with optimism about the future of Life Out Here. We are excited to see how these grants move their farms forward.”
AFT received 1,522 applicants from 48 states during the application period. This is an all-time high and nearly double the prior year’s applications. Priority was given to applicants who are starting their agricultural pursuits, veterans, socially disadvantaged, women or have limited resources. Funding was allocated for both professional services and equipment or infrastructure costs. Focus areas included improving farm viability, accessing farmland and adopting regenerative agricultural practices.
