As the Washington, DC metro area emerges from the pandemic, the significance of local farmers and producers has become increasingly clear. They play a pivotal role in establishing a resilient food system amid rising food costs and potential cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This critical situation has underscored the urgent need for DMV farmers and producers to receive essential tools and resources for long-term success.
In response, the Health Studies department at American University has stepped forward with a model that promotes regional collaboration, intertwining food justice and environmental sustainability with community resilience.
To address these pressing needs, American University’s Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab has launched an innovative pilot program dedicated to supporting local farmers and producers through the Agriculture, Infrastructure, and Equipment (AIE) Grant Opportunity. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of established farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region, with sponsorship from Novo Nordisk, Inc.
The AIE project allows farmers and producers to purchase necessary infrastructure and equipment, which in turn increases their capacity to grow fruits and vegetables. This expansion subsequently improves access to high-quality, locally-sourced food in Washington, DC, and its surrounding areas.
Dr. Stacey Snelling, a professor in American University’s Health Studies department, emphasized the lab’s commitment to building a resilient local food system. “In the second year of this work, we have funded partners across production, distribution, and consumption, while now focusing on equipment and infrastructure investments for twelve local farmers,” she said.
The grants, which range from $2,500 to $4,999, are awarded to farms with a minimum of three years in operation, specifically targeting those providing food access in Wards 7 and 8. The total funding exceeded $55,000, with each farm receiving an average grant of approximately $4,600.
One notable grantee is Gale Livingstone, who operates Deep Roots Farm in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Livingstone transitioned from a finance career to become a full-time farmer, utilizing her over 50 acres to supply produce through direct marketing and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model.
Her farm sells at local farmers’ markets, including the Wednesday afternoon Watkins Farmstand and the Saturday morning H Street Market. Livingstone grows a variety of produce and raises chickens, but the labor-intensive task of hand-planting and harvesting potatoes was a significant challenge. Thanks to the AIE grant, she acquired a potato planter and harvester, drastically cutting her potato harvesting time from a day-and-a-half to just half a day.
Reflecting on the grant’s impact, Livingstone expressed gratitude: “We knew we needed to realize more efficiency and reduce labor costs – the harvester we were able to get through the grant cuts our time down to a half-day. We are really so very thankful for this opportunity and grateful to have the support.”
In Virginia, the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture has also seen the positive effects of this grant on the regional food system. Their programs support beginning farmers, many of whom are military veterans. Arcadia’s Executive Director, Pam Hess, highlighted the extraordinary value of such capital grants.
“A farm equipment grant is exceedingly rare and extremely valuable – it can super-charge a small operation,” she stated. The equipment purchased with the grant supports the farm’s shift toward no- and low-till practices, focusing on improving soil health and enhancing microbial activity.
Another grantee, Sean Matthews of Sean’s Veggie Garden, utilized his grant to acquire a paper pot transplanter and generator for his vegetable farm. He praised the timeliness of the grant, noting the efficient process from application to equipment receipt.
“The turnaround time from grant application to receiving the equipment was really fast – and American University also took care of placing the equipment order and following up to make sure we received everything,” Matthews explained.
In addition to individual farms, community projects like the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild (FMGG) demonstrate the collective impact of this initiative on local food access. The FMGG has operated a two-acre urban farm in DC, donating approximately 8,000 pounds of vegetables annually to nonprofits in the area, including DC Central Kitchen and local food pantries.
Peter Quinn, a board member of FMGG, discussed the grant’s contribution to their mission. “The grant we received through American University has made it possible for us to acquire items like heat mats for germinating seeds earlier in the season inside the greenhouse, as well as elevated beds on wheels that help with accessibility concerns for older adults volunteering in the garden.”
These contributions come at a crucial time. The Capital Area Food Bank’s September 2024 report revealed that 37% of the Washington region’s population, equating to nearly 1.5 million people, faces food insecurity, marking a worrying increase over the previous year.
The ongoing collaborations resulting from programs like the AIE grant are essential for addressing hunger in the DMV. Partnerships between private enterprises, academic institutions, local farmers, and nonprofits are vital for tackling the challenges of food insecurity head-on.
American University’s Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities initiative has made significant strides in recent years. Their efforts, including distributing food to under-resourced communities and hosting the first DMV-focused Food Summit in October 2024, have united over 50 regional organizations to explore local food system challenges and strengths.
The AIE grants not only support immediate operational needs but also build upon recommendations discussed at the summit, underscoring the crucial conversations that drive improvement in the local food system. Moving forward, American University continues to pave the way for a more equitable and resilient food landscape in the DMV.
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