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Aloha Redland Farm in Homestead has received a grant from Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), a century old Oregon-based dairy co-op that believes in the future of farming.
Aloha Redland is a women-led farm that uses holistic practices to grow nutritious vegetables in healthy soil, providing food for the local community through a veggie box program known as a CSA (community supported agriculture).
Last year, TCCA introduced the All for Farmers initiative to help farmers across the country in need of financial support due to the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Martina Gonzalez and Alicia del Aguila, owners at Aloha Redland Farm.
“When we received the Brighter Future Fund Grant, we were so happy, because it would help us make improvements at our farm,” del Aguila said. “The first thing we did was fortify and make improvements to an integral part of our operation, our washing station.
“We also used the funds for pest management, since the iguanas were eating most of our crops. And we were able to use it to improve our irrigation system for our vegetable crops.
All for Farmers is making a difference in farms who are directly impacting their local communities. We are happy to be a part of it,” she added.
Jocelyn Bridson, director of Environment & Community Impact, TCCA, explained the reason behind their efforts.
“Farmers of all types and sizes are being hit hard by the pandemic,” Bridson said. “That’s why Tillamook County Creamery Association is working to support farmers across the country to help them thrive in the future.
“Last year, our All for Farmers initiative raised $1.6 million for American Farmland Trust, and our donation helped create the Brighter Future Fund, which has awarded more than 130 grants to under-represented farmers in 25 states, including Aloha Redland Farm in Homestead, FL,” she said. “We’re excited to be continuing this partnership with AFT, and are underwriting their program for the next two years to support farms in need.”
To get involved with the All for Farmers initiative, you can learn, donate, and shop at www.allforfarmers.com.
Besides growing farm fresh produce, the women encourage nutrition awareness and cooking, hosting wellness events by themselves and others. Through the initiative of Art at the Farm the farmers began to organize a series of art/climate workshops and other gatherings for artists to teach and show their work at the farm, typically combining live music, arts and nature on the lush five acre property.
For more information visit www.aloharedland.com/, call 786-316-2461, or send an email to info@aloharedland.com.
