Grants Further Congregation-Supported Agriculture in North Carolina

The Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA’s (RAFI-USA) Come to the Table program is offering up to six small grants to rural United Methodist Churches to support mutually beneficial partnerships with farmers of color from RAFI-USA’s Farmers of Color Network. Two of the inaugural 2023 grant recipients have already been selected. During a year-long grant cycle, each congregation will be paired with a local farmer of color in forming a food-based partnership for three growing seasons. Congregations will learn how to develop, coordinate, maintain, and grow a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project and will receive technical support from RAFI-USA staff in creating a purchasing agreement between the church and farmer, coordinating delivery and payment logistics, crafting an outreach plan, and other foundational aspects of CSA administration.