DODGEVILLE, Wis. — Nicholas Bryant will compete as a Finalist for the Beginning Farmer of the Year 2017 award from Routes to Farm (routes2farm.org). Nicholas is owner of Bryant Family Farms, a pastured poultry farm in Hollandale and Mineral Point, Wisconsin.
According to Robert Bauer, Grazing Broker for Southwest Badger RC&D, “Four farms made three-minute videos about their livestock farms and how they have partnered with Southwest Badger. Over the past month more than six thousand votes were cast online in support of the farmers. Bryant Family Farms was selected as a Finalist because it received the most votes.”
As a Finalist in the competition, Bryant will receive honorable mention, a $100 honorarium, and a free pass to the Good Food Festival in Chicago during March 17, 2017. The winner of Beginning Farmer of the Year will receive a $1,000 honorarium, award at the public ceremony, a free pass to the Good Food Festival, and partial travel support to the event.
“A healthy start for my chicks is important to me as a pastured poultry farmer. If I win I will invest the honorarium in a new chick brooder that is easier to clean, ventilates properly, and heats more efficiently” says Bryant.
Angelic Organics Learning Center and Upper Midwest CRAFT of Caledonia, Illinois launched the Beginning Farmer of the Year award in 2013 to celebrate individuals who enter farming.
“Bryant Family Farms, Riemer Family Farm, Greenfire Farm, and Pleasant Valley Farm are leaders in their field, advancing the ways that livestock are raised on pasture in order to enhance wildlife habitat and to minimize soil erosion.” said Bauer.
Routes to Farm serves farmers in the “foodshed” of Chicago by providing resources to farmers who are launching or growing their farm businesses. Southwest Badger joined Routes to Farm in 2016 to support farmers through the Mentorship Program for Future Livestock Farmers, funded by a grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
The videos and farmer bios are available to watch online at www.facebook.com/SWBadger or www.swbadger.org/beginning-farmers#award.
— Southwest Badger RC&D Council
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