WALPOLE, N.H. — The Monadnock Localvores are proud to announce the following fifteen recipients of the 2020 Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship award. Congratulations to Lucia Blanchard of Nelson NH, Hanna Blanchard of Nelson NH, Serafina Blanchard of Nelson NH, Rafael Blanchard of Nelson NH, Natalia Blanchard of Nelson NH, Nickolas Bibeau of Swanzey NH, Hannah Bibeau of Swanzey NH, Jasmine Carpentino of Swanzey NH, Bennett Clough of Gilsum NH, Leah Frost of Keene NH, Kara Frost of Keene NH, Emma Mitchell of Troy NH, Alexandria Rabel of Gilsum NH, Gianna Racano of Keene NH, and Ezekiel Racano of Keene NH.
All scholarship recipients demonstrated a desire to learn more about farming and gardening and they will have the opportunity to attend a farm camp of their choice this summer. As one of the young recipients put it “for a long time I’ve been wanting to do gardening and farming, so this is the perfect chance to do it!” Many thanks go out to the Monadnock Food Co-op, You Have Our Trust Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Cheshire County Farm Bureau, Keene Elm City Rotary Club, Winchester Lions Club, Keene Lions Club, and other generous donors that have made these scholarships possible.
The Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship endeavors to connect young people with agriculture and the natural world around them. We hope to inspire the next generation of local farmers and local food supporters, by giving regional children an opportunity, through summer camp, to experience sustainable farming practices first-hand and watch their efforts bear fruit. For more information or to donate to the scholarship fund, please contact the Cheshire County Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext.4 or amanda@cheshireconservation.
During his lifetime, Jeff Smith, a former member of the Monadnock Localvore Steering Committee, was an enthusiastic supporter of sustainability and local agriculture. He firmly believed in the connection of all living things and stressed the importance of working in harmony with the systems of the universe. Seeing himself as a “steward” instead of an “owner” of the land, he felt the earth was entrusted to us for safe keeping during our lifetimes, to be passed along intact to future generations. With an eager and vibrant sense of life, his every activity was geared towards improving the lives of others and the environment through giving freely of his time and efforts. To keep alive that vision, the Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship Program was initiated in August 2009. The program’s purpose is to send children to an area farm camp to discover the inherent rewards that come from cultivating with one’s hands and heart.
Food travels an average of 1500 miles before it ends up on your dinner plate. The Localvore movement is working to change this statistic, for the benefit of our health, palate, local farms, the environment and the community. Now in its fifteenth year, The Monadnock Localvores are focused on encouraging the eating, growing, and buying of more local food. 2020 sponsors for the Monadnock Localvores include the Hannah Grimes Center and the Cheshire County Conservation District.
–Lola Bobrowski, Cheshire County Conservation District