Leadership at the Port Townsend Food Co-op announced Oct. 27, that nearly $84,000 has been raised by co-op members and the broader community for the 2026 Farmer Fund — a grant program …
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Leadership at the Port Townsend Food Co-op announced Oct. 27, that nearly $84,000 has been raised by co-op members and the broader community for the 2026 Farmer Fund — a grant program supporting Jefferson County farmers and food producers. These funds will be awarded in January 2026 to projects that strengthen the local food system and support sustainable agriculture.
In 2025, the Farmer Fund awarded grants to: Red Dog Farm, Chimacum Valley Dairy, Mystery Bay, Gray Fox Farm, SpringRain Farm, Midori Farm, Quimper Food Bank Garden, Friends of the Trees, Woodbridge Farm, Salish Coast Production Garden, One Straw Ranch, and Kodama Farm. Funded projects ranged from wheelchair-accessible garden beds and walk-in coolers to mobile poultry coops and regenerative infrastructure.
“We were deeply inspired by last year’s applicants and their commitment to food sovereignty and sustainability,” said Kenna Eaton, general manager of The Food Co-op. “These grants are not just investments in farms, they’re investments in our entire community. We’re excited to see what this next round will make possible.”
The 2026 grant application portal is now open, and applications will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2025. Applicants must be a registered business in Jefferson County, operating and selling for at least one year and either: grow food or raise livestock in Jefferson County or use Jefferson County-grown food to produce their product
Grants typically range from $1,500 to $15,000 and may be used for equipment, infrastructure, construction, services, or materials that build farm capacity.
Applications are reviewed by the Community Engagement Committee, composed of Food Co-op board members, staff, and member-owners.
“It’s an honor to be part of this work,” said Andrea Stafford, director of marketing and Community Engagement Committee member. “The community has trusted us to make sure these funds have the greatest possible impact, and we don’t take that lightly. Every application comes from someone working hard to grow food and strengthen our local food system. Reaching consensus isn’t easy, there are so many deserving projects, but the conversations we have are thoughtful and grounded in our shared values.”
