2022 Local Food Scholarships Extended
Scholarships help our local food producers gain needed skills
At the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network, our mission is to grow our local food economy. To do this, we not only promote the demand for local food in our region, we also help to support our local food farmers and entrepreneurs as they work to expand their capacity and to acquire the new skills they need to bring more local food from our land to our tables.
Do YOU know a local food producer in Northeast Indiana who wants to pursue additional training, take a course or attend a conference in 2022, in order to grow their local food business? Please encourage them to read the complete details below and apply for a Local Food Scholarship. Our 2022 Local Food Scholarship application deadline has been EXTENDED to March 31, 2022.
Learn more about our 2021 Local Food Scholarship winners HERE.
Northeast Indiana Local Food Scholarship Fund
The Northeast Indiana Local Food Scholarship Fund was established in March 2019 with proceeds from each registration for the 2019 Northeast Indiana Local Food Forum. Proceeds from future Local Food Forums as well as ongoing donations designated to this fund will sustain and grow the Northeast Indiana Local Food Scholarship Fund.
Northeast Indiana Local Food Scholarships are designed to help current Northeast Indiana local food farmers, local food entrepreneurs and owners of small food processing and aggregation businesses pursue the education, training and networking opportunities they need to grow their local food businesses. These scholarships can provide financial support to help applicants take courses in-person or on-line, attend conferences or seek training for new certifications.
Scholarship Eligibility
Farmers, processors and product aggregators who seek to expand their participation in our local food supply chain are eligible to apply. Successful candidates must operate an existing farm or business physically located within the 11 counties of NE Indiana: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties.
Eligible Expenses
Local Food Producer Scholarships reimburse registration fees, travel and lodging associated with educational local food opportunities. Successful applicants may be awarded up to 50% of submitted costs with a maximum scholarship of $500 per application. Applicant are limited to one scholarship award every five years. Upon request, one half of the award may be paid up front, to accommodate the up front cost of registration fees and travel arrangements. The balance is payable after completion of the educational coursework or training session and submission of the following: 1) copies of all receipts of eligible expenses, and 2) a written summary of what they learned and the benefits to the themselves and/or their business. Scholarship award recipients are also encouraged to make a brief presentation about their educational or training experience at the next annual Local Food Forum following receipt of their scholarship.
Click the button below to complete the Local Food Producer Scholarship application. All applications must be received by the new EXTENDED DEADLINE of March 31, 2022, with awards made on a rolling basis, so scholarship funds can be used for conferences and training taking place prior to March 31.
Questions and Requests for paper scholarship applications
If you have questions, or to request a copy of a paper application, please contact Steve Engleking, Chair of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Scholarship Committee at (260)499-6334 or sengleking@purdue.edu.