Dec
Three Farmers Awarded MFBAPF John & Liolia Schipper Grants
Following a competitive selection process, the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Agricultural Preservation Foundation (MFBAPF) selected three farmers from 28 applications to receive grants from the John& Liolia Schipper Grant program. These grants are focused on assisting Massachusetts farmers in becoming more economically viable and sustainable.
“We saw a strong interest in this grant program again this year,” said Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) President Mark Amato. “This was made possible by a generous bequest from the late John and Liolia Schipper and is meant to assist deserving farmers develop their businesses. I look forward to seeing this year’s three farms complete their projects.”
Grant recipients include the following:
- Denise Barstow, who oversees a dairy farm based in Hampshire County. She will purchase equipment to upgrade their robotic milker.
- Chris Parsons, who oversees a diversified livestock farm based in Hampshire County. He will purchase new grain bins to improve his herd’s nutrition.
- Henry Sarafin, who oversees a diversified timber operation based in Hampshire County. He will be purchasing safety equipment to improve his operation that will also improve productivity.
Applications for the 2021 grant program will be available next fall with a deadline of Nov. 1, 2021. Applicants must be a regular Farm Bureau member in good standing (or be sponsored by a regular member).
Congratulations to this year’s recipients!