Farm Animal Concerns Trust Unveils 2025 Fund-a-Farmer Grants
72 Farms Share in $220,000 Pool of Funds
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) is a Chicago-based non-profit that has had a big impact for more than four decades by pressing for more humane and healthful treatment of farmed livestock.
In recent years, under the leadership of Executive Director Harry Rhodes, the organization has leveled up its impact with its annual Farm-a-Funder grants. Since 2012 FACT has awarded 764 grants to farmers totaling over $1,580,000 to improve farm animal welfare, expand humane farming, and support capital and operational work.
FACT has just released the list of its 72 farms that will share in a fund of almost $220,000.
This Local Food Forum article has the list of farms by name and location and FACT categories. There is a link to visit the FACT website and get the details of each of the projects.
Also please note that the grantees span the nation. Local Food Forum's goal is to expand our content beyond our home base in the Chicago region so we all can learn about farmers all over who are using sustainable, humane and fair practices and so we can better connect with other local food ecosystems. Please take a look.
Farmer Marty Thomas Clarifies View on Government Role in Farm Funding
Says Public Funding Helps, But Sees Local Farm Self-Sufficiency as North Star
On March 10, Local Food Forum published an article about how Marty and MariKate Thomas of Kakadoodle Farm in Matteson, Illinois were persevering in the face of twin crises: an avian flu outbreak that costs them their flock of chickens, and a federal funding freeze on reimbursements to farmers who had laid out significant sums of their own money under contracts with USDA.
Despite the setbacks, Marty's essay had a optimistic tone about a future with a more localized and self-sufficient food system. He received some feedback, though, from people who thought he was suggesting that small farmers could eschew government assistance.
This prompted Marty to write a follow-up to clarify his position, which is published in this Local Food Forum article. There is a link to the original article and another link to email your comments on this important issue.