The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks in Athens (ACENet) recently received a $36,500 grant to help farmers' markets in local counties from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a news release.
ACENet is a community-based economic development program that focuses on reinventing the local food economy in Southeastern Ohio. The Center writes the grants and secures funding to implement projects.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, fought to increase funding for the Farmer's Market Program.
This grant is one of many USDA grants that we've received and it will focus on the development of smaller farmers' markets in the local counties
said Leslie Schaller, director of programming. This is just one of many grants that we typically secure in a given year; it could be 40 to 50 grants.
Support from the USDA is important for ACENet in order for the program to continue working in the local food sector and helping farm-based businesses get started, Schaller said.
The Department awarded more than $200,000 to farmer's markets in Ohio, receiving a portion of $3.445 million in federal funds for programs throughout the U.S. - 17
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Emilie Schneider
