Another successful 100+ Women Strong for Inland Mendocino County event took place at Barra Winery in Redwood Valley. The Good Farm Fund received the most votes to win $10,000 by the 100-plus attendees.
Two other nonprofits, Ukiah Main Street Program and Mendocino County Youth Project, each received half of the remaining event’s proceeds, amounting to at least $1,500 each.
The Good Farm Fund, founded 10 years ago by farmers Sarah Bodnar and Caroline Radice, has fundraised and awarded $450,000 mini-grants to more than 60 farms and ranches in Mendocino and Lake Counties. In addition, it has fundraised more than $35,000 for the Market Match Program at Mendocino and Lake County Farmers Markets.
The winnings will be split between two programs,” says Radice. “Five thousand dollars will go to our Farm Grant Program, which funds capacity building infrastructure projects on farms like walk-in coolers and greenhouses. These grants help farms scale up local food production and support economically sustainable jobs in our community. The other five thousand dollars will completely fund the annual donation we have been providing for the Market Match Program for the last 10 years – a program which provides a dollar-for-dollar match for people who qualify for CalFresh. This program makes local fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable for people who can’t otherwise afford them at our local farmers markets.”
In her presentation Radice pointed out that, “according to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture, there are 1,768 farms in our area, of which 22 percent are small-scale farms of less than 10 acres. The average annual net cash income from farming activities is $14,773 in Lake County and $24,244 in Mendocino. Sixty percent of area farmers report annual sales below $50,000.”
The Good Farm Fund, which has supported funding for such needs as walk-in coolers, water storage tanks, and irrigation infrastructure, raises all the money from farm to table dinners, private donations, and grassroots fundraising by volunteers.
“Our farm grant program represents many people joining together to build the infrastructure of the community we want to live in,” says Radice.
Everyone at the Gathering was feted to a buffet of organic appetizers provided by April Cunningham, former director of Caring Kitchen of Mendocino. Barra wines were available in the distinctive domed winery tasting room.
100+ Women Strong Inland Mendocino County, an inclusive all-volunteer group, has distributed more than $213,000 since its founding in 2019. Nominations for nonprofits are always welcome by going to the website or calling the number below.
Anyone interested in attending the next Gathering in 2025, and hearing from three nonprofits doing indispensable work in our community is welcome.
To register, each attendee pledges a hundred dollars by clicking the “donate” button on the 100+ Mendocino Women website, hosted by the Community Foundation of Mendocino County https://communityfound.org/community/leadership-projects/100-women-strong-inland-mendocino/. All previous donors to 100 Women Strong of Inland Mendocino County, who have not done so already, must redo their contribution information on the Community Foundation link. Or call Karen Christopherson, 707-272-5570.
