We are once again inviting applications for Seed Money for new initiatives that extend our mission in both Southwestern and Southeastern Wisconsin. If you are dreaming of starting a new project or expanding a project that you are putting your heart and soul into, we would love to see you apply.
The basics: the maximum amount of funding per project is $1500; the deadline for applications is January 30 and awardees will be notified by February 27.
Our application requests that you share your project goals, expected results, project timeline and budget as well as other details. You can download our Application for Southwestern Wisconsin HERE and for Southeastern Wisconsin: HERE. If you prefer the document in Microsoft Word, please email us at foodfaithandfarmingnetwork@gmail.com.
While we highly recommend applying for projects that are stated as priorities on our application, other worthy initiatives will be considered. In addition to evaluating whether a project meets our mission and our priorities, we will pay particular attention to the following criteria. Does the project 1) address a significant community issue; 2) outline an innovative solution to confronting the issues; 3) build a network of individuals/groups to collaborate on the issue and 4) demonstrate energy and commitment to achieve the stated goals.
Descriptions of previous Seed Money Projects are located on our Seed Money Projects page.
We are very grateful for the support of the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Compeer Financial, Wisconsin Farmers Union and our individual contributors who make our Seed Money initiative possible in Southwestern Wisconsin and to. Bader Philanthropies, Inc. for their generous support of both our Listening Sessions and Seed Money grants in Southeastern Wisconsin. Thank you!
We gathered together virtually to listen to the stories of our 2022 Seed Money recipients in Southwestern Wisconsin on December 6, 2022. It was heartwarming and energizing to hear about their work and how passionate they are to expand their efforts in building sustainable agriculture practices and vibrant rural communities. We heard from Tammy Katzung (Prairie du Chien Main Street Program), Donna Peterson (Grace Lutheran Church Community Gardens), Allison Hellenbrand (Community Kitchen Cooperative), LindaDee Derrickson (Heartland Threads Fibershed), Julie de la Terre (Sacred Water, Sacred Land Institute) and Rita Hindin (Rye Revival). To see short descriptions of their projects, please click HERE. If you missed the event you can hear the recording HERE.
We are grateful to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Compeer Financial, Wisconsin Farmers Union and individual contributors for making this initiative possible. And we are grateful for all who are working to support our farmers in Southwestern Wisconsin.
We are proud to announce we have concluded a successful series of Listening/Networking sessions in Southeastern Wisconsin. The series,"Fostering Rural/Urban Connections in Southeastern Wisconsin", held over a 3-week period this Fall, brought farmers, crop managers, community gardeners, UW-Extension, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and USDA representatives, landscapers, a vocational agriculture teacher, conservation planners, food pantry staff, observers from Tammy Baldwin's office and more.
Our objective was to bring together community members to address four issues: rural/urban connections, local foods; food security; and sustainable farming. We asked attendees what they see as significant issues in these four areas, what barriers they face in overcoming them, and what solutions they suggest to begin to tackle these challenges. Participants were fully engaged, passionate about the issues, and were grateful to network with each other.
To see the more details and our final report click HERE.
We are very grateful to Bader Philanthropies, Inc for making this initiative and the Seed Money grants possible in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Winter Farmers Markets are in full swing this year in Milwaukee and surrounding Southeast Wisconsin communities. We continue to foster fellowship, support local farmers and producers, and educate congregations on the importance of buying locally sourced and sustainably grown products.
Despite lingering pandemic restrictions, last year's season was a great success! We are grateful to our host congregations for coming up with creative ways to continue to build relationships with our vendors and educate their communities on sustainable practices. And we are thankful for all who participated in and supported our events.
We are excited for the 2022-23 Market Season! Our schedule for the season is full. Click here to view our schedule and check out our Facebook page for any updates.
We look forward to seeing you as you support our vendors and share a farm-to-table meal with your community members.
Interested in hosting a market? Learn more?
Contact our Farmers Market Coordinator,
Lynn Parkhurst, lynnparkhurstfffn@gmail.com.
Our Gardening Project continues as we seek out congregations that are interested in starting or upgrading a garden on their property. Master Gardener, Jeff Wild, retired pastor at Madison Christian Community on Madison’s West Side, is volunteering his time to foster the development of congregational gardens with Wisconsin faith communities. The goal of this project is to encourage faith communities to grow healthy produce for congregational members and for the wider community through local food pantries.
Establishing congregational gardens further benefits faith communities as they train and educate congregants in sustainable gardening techniques and deepen their relationships with each other. The hope is that through gardening projects congregants will nurture the relationship between the food they eat and their faith’s calling to care for God’s creation. We also encourage congregations to incorporate the principles learned through gardening into their mission statements.
Jeff Wild has a wealth of experience in developing gardens. He founded the Madison Christian Community Food Pantry Garden early on in his tenure as pastor at Advent Lutheran. The garden continues to grow 5,000 pounds of produce annually to donate to local food pantries.
We are currently working to map gardens grown by faith communities in Wisconsin. If you have a garden in your community, would like to share the story of your congregation's gardening project, or consult with Jeff, contact him at jtwild@gmail.com. The Food, Faith and Farming Network is offering grants of $100 for a limited time to faith communities starting or upgrading gardens.
