Boost Your Business: 2026 Local Food Scholarships
Are you planning to attend a conference or enroll in a training course to improve your local food business? The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network is here to help you get there.
Applications for the 2026 Local Food Scholarships are officially open!
We are looking to support farmers, processors, and food entrepreneurs across Northeast Indiana who are ready to grow, innovate, and make our local food system more resilient.
Fueling Growth Through Education
Established in 2019, this scholarship fund helps local food leaders pursue the training and networking they need to thrive. Whether it’s an in-person conference, a specialized certification, or an online business course, these funds are designed to lower the barrier to professional development.
Who Should Apply?
To be eligible, candidates must operate an existing farm or food business within the following 11 Northeast Indiana counties:
Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley.
Scholarship Details & Investment
Our goal is to make professional development affordable by subsidizing the primary expenses of growing your business.
What’s Covered: Registration fees, travel, and lodging associated with approved educational opportunities.
Funding Amount: Scholarships cover up to 50% of submitted costs, with a maximum award of $750 per application.
Payment Flexibility: To assist with upfront costs, 50% of your awarded amount may be paid in advance to cover registration fees or travel deposits.
Frequency: To support as many entrepreneurs as possible, applicants are eligible for one scholarship every three years.
Post-Training Requirements
To receive the remaining balance of your scholarship, recipients must submit the following within 60 days of completing their course or conference:
Proof of Expense: Copies of all receipts for eligible expenses.
Impact Summary: A brief written report detailing what you learned and how it will benefit your business and the Northeast Indiana local food economy.
Ready to grow? Submit your application today to be considered for an award.
Application Deadline: December, 31, 2026
Questions? If you have questions or would like to request a paper application, please contact Karen Petersen, Executive Director karen@neifood.org or (919)291-1421
Previous Local Food Scholarship Awardees
Our scholarship program has supported ten local food pioneers since 2019. By helping these entrepreneurs gain specialized knowledge and new skills, we’re ensuring a more resilient and diverse food supply for the entire Northeast Indiana region.
Ty Simmons attended the National Black Farmers Association Convention which allowed him to network with other black farmers from across the country and expand the Human Agricultural Cooperative in Fort Wayne.
Samantha Yim participated in a course on marketing to wholesale businesses which helped her market her True Kimchi products nationwide, as well as open True Kimchi Korean Cafe in Fort Wayne.
Joshua Cockram pursued PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) training which allowed him to open his processing facility for Josh’s Jungle at The Process in Huntertown.
Pam DeCamp attended a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training to assure her products at DeCamp Gardens near Albion are grown & handled correctly.
Beth Ritzman learned ways to operate a successful microgreens business through an online course, which helped expand her business Something Better with Beth.
Edison Bender visited meaderies in Washington State to learn about their operations as he seeks to expand his mead product line at Ambrosia Orchard, Cidery & Meadery.
Kara Filler enrolled in the online Better Process Control School offered by Purdue University in order to expand her line of honey products at Filler Family Apiary.
Zachary Banks participated in the Flourish Farm Online Aquaponics Course in order to expand food production at the Ivy Tech Community College Greenhouse and share his knowledge with others.
Foy Spicer participated in the Seed Seva Online Course to expand her knowledge about holistic, indigenous permaculture-based seed stewardship, which she utilizes in teaching youth and cataloging produce varieties at Joyfield Farm.
Sarah Trombley attended the Kombucha Kon Conference and Expo to network with other business founders and learn about kombucha operations and marketing as she expanded Lunar Infusions Kombucha in South Whitley.
We are grateful to each of these Local Food Scholarship awardees for working hard to produce delicious food for our community and for eagerly taking on new challenges so your business can grow and thrive. We’re honored to help!