PART OF THE COMMUNITY
Mason County has always had an economy historically based in natural resource and agricultural industries, maintaining the tradition of farming for more than 160 years. Over recent years however, our community has suffered from economic stress forcing many of our local families to face harsh adversities. In fact, organizations that track food insecurity statistics indicate 14% of Mason County’s population is going hungry, and 8% have limited access to grocers. The Mason Conservation District, which has been offering assistance with conservation and agricultural planning for more than 65 years, now offers new programs under our Mason-Shelton Food Chain aimed at helping our neighbors eliminate food insecurity by growing, harvesting, and sharing fresh produce.
MASON CONSERVATION DISTRICT RECEIVES EVENT AND FOOD SYSTEMS SUPPORT GRANT FROM WASHINGTON STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
|
As part of our continued efforts to improve food security in our community free vegetable seed packets will be available during Forest Festival's Paul Bunyan Grand Parade, Shelton Farmers Market, the May 26th CIELO Food Bank. Make sure to stop by our booth this Saturday, June 3rd at the Shelton Farmers Market to receive some seeds and participate in our Farmers Market Assessment Survey. The survey is to help learn how the Farmers Market can improve access for members of our community receiving SNAP or WIC benefits. If you can not attend the Farmers Market this weekend and would like to participate in the survey click the link below:
|
|
Learn more about the Washington State Conservation Commission Here
|
MASON CONSERVATION DISTRICT RECEIVES URBAN AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION GRANT
The Mason Conservation District (District) announces its award of an urban agriculture conservation grant through a partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The District was one of 20 conservation districts across 14 states to receive funding. NACD and NRCS established the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016 to help conservation districts and their partners provide much-needed technical assistance for community-oriented agricultural projects in both urban and rural contexts.
“The Urban Agriculture Conservation grants provide opportunities for conservation districts to continue their great work in new and different ways,” NACD President Michael Crowder said. “The projects we’re announcing today will help conservation districts reach new audiences and build new programs to provide technical assistance in a variety of community-oriented settings.”
Under this Grant, the “Farms in Translation” program will assist veteran and beginning farmers with increased and focused training, as well as outreach to low and limited English proficient (LEP) farming communities. Through this program, the District will build relationships with veteran and LEP communities, provide technical and financial assistance, and educational programs for youth and adults. The District will also partner with the Hands on Personal Empowerment (“HOPE”) Garden Project, a local organization that engages youth by teaching through gardening, to build a food forest and community garden. This garden will serve as a food resource for local residents and food banks, as well as a teaching garden for workshops offered to veterans, students, and the public at large.
The District was one of 20 conservation districts across 14 states to receive funding. NACD and NRCS established the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016 to help conservation districts and their partners provide much-needed technical assistance for community-oriented agricultural projects in both urban and rural contexts.
“The Urban Agriculture Conservation grants provide opportunities for conservation districts to continue their great work in new and different ways,” NACD President Michael Crowder said. “The projects we’re announcing today will help conservation districts reach new audiences and build new programs to provide technical assistance in a variety of community-oriented settings.”
Under this Grant, the “Farms in Translation” program will assist veteran and beginning farmers with increased and focused training, as well as outreach to low and limited English proficient (LEP) farming communities. Through this program, the District will build relationships with veteran and LEP communities, provide technical and financial assistance, and educational programs for youth and adults. The District will also partner with the Hands on Personal Empowerment (“HOPE”) Garden Project, a local organization that engages youth by teaching through gardening, to build a food forest and community garden. This garden will serve as a food resource for local residents and food banks, as well as a teaching garden for workshops offered to veterans, students, and the public at large.
MASON CONSERVATION DISTRICT RECEIVES FOOD SYSTEM SUPPORT GRANT
|
The Mason Conservation District (District) announces its award of a Food System Support Grant grant through a partnership with the Washington State Conservation Commission.
Under this Grant, the “Mason-Shelton Food Chain - Linking Food to Families” the District will develop a gleaning program serving Mason County and the City of Shelton. Gleaning is a term used to describe the practice of collecting fresh foods leftover from local farm and garden harvests, markets and other valuable resources in order to provide it to families in need. It is a way of preventing the unnecessary waste of quality food by providing to low-income populations, who are often unable to buy healthy, local foods because of cost or availability. District will set up a system of record keeping to track activities, volunteers, contacts, donations, food providers, etc. to maintain continuity and for easily reviving the program each year. Good records will also serve as a foundation for additional grant opportunities and greater community involvement. 
|
|
|
|