“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, the Micro-Grants Program continues to reflect our commitment to supporting local communities in meaningful, practical ways,” said Raul J. Aguirre, executive director of the Adirondack Council. “Our local food systems face growing challenges, and these grants deliver critical resources directly to those best positioned to care for the land.”

Since its inception, the program has awarded $264,000 to 162 recipients. Funded by generous donations from individuals and foundations, the program promotes sustainable agriculture, innovation, and a resilient local food economy.

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Grant recipients

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– Barred Owl Brook Farm, Essex: 5-acre native grass pasture for rotational grazing, $1,500

– Creative Kitchen Garden, Westport: Local eco-type seed library for native herbs and plants, $1,500

– Crown Point Farm and Dairy, Crown Point: Solar panels for off-grid glamping cabin, $1,500

– Inn on Lake Champlain, Putnam Station: Terraces and swales to reduce runoff; native hedgerows, $1,500

– Mace Chasm Farm, Keeseville: Micro-hydropower system from gravity-fed pond, $3,000

– Maple Acres Farm, Merrill: Irrigation control system for efficient water use, $1,500

– Meadow and Mountain Farm, Moriah: All-electric tree pruning saw to reduce emissions, $1,500

– The Meadow Farmstead, AuSable Forks: Perennial grape crop and trellis system, $1,500

– Norman Ridge Farmstead, Vermontville: Rotational grazing fencing for cattle and habitat, $3,000

– North Country Creamery, Keeseville: Native silvopasture planting for grazing and erosion control, $1,500

– RivR Valley Regeneratives, Redford: Compost and potting mix blending equipment, $1,500

– Robbins Crossing Farm, Essex: Biodegradable replacement for plastic bale wrap, $1,500

– Thankful Sage Farm School, Willsboro: Solar-powered irrigation system for herbs, $1,500

“While the grants are small in size at about $1,500, these investments can help farms and producers actualize real environmental and economic benefits. Collectively, these grants have had a big impact across the region. This year’s grants range from replacing plastic hay bale netting with a biodegradable alternative, to establishing a bio-regional library of native plant and herb seeds,” said Dillon Klepetar, the Adirondack Council’s Farm Advocate. “Other projects include removing woven wire livestock fencing and replacing it with hedgerows that will provide better erosion control and wildlife habitat on the farm, and creating a mini-hydropower system on a farm pond outlet.”

“When this micro-grant program began 10 years ago, I could not have imagined some of the ideas that have come to fruition,” said Courtney Klipper, co-founder of the Klipper Fund. “We have funded some new and innovative technologies including solar-powered irrigation and fuel-efficient maple syrup and sugar production with reverse osmosis machinery. Other projects used more natural means to achieve a farming goal, such as slight landscape changes that conserve rainwater and prevent soil from running downhill into lakes, rivers, and streams. Some were a little of both, such as the animal-powered sawmill.”

“This year’s successful applicants once again showed a broad range of great ideas and enthusiasm to make them happen,” said Nathaniel Klipper, co-founder of the Klipper Fund. “I am excited to say that these grants will help to protect water quality, prevent waste, enhance wildlife habitat, and support composting and the recycling of natural nutrients back into healthy soils–all right here in the Adirondacks.”

“The Council’s VISION 2050 report recognizes the vital role agriculture plays in addressing climate change, protecting natural resources, and building thriving rural economies,” Klepetar said. “The Essex Farm Institute works to ensure that local farmers have assistance in reducing costs (fuel, fertilizer, electric power, waste removal) by adopting or inventing sustainable, environmentally friendly methods.”

The Klipper Family Fund established and continues to support this impactful program that has spurred long-lasting environmental solutions at nearly every stage of the local food system, from production, processing, and storage to sales and distribution.