A lot has happened in the past few weeks. A tumultuous U.S. election, global climate talks, still more extreme and unseasonable weather impacting farmers and communities. With all of the uncertainty around and ahead of us, AGW will continue to work toward real solutions and be a voice for sustainable farming, transparency and resilient communities.

This week we’re reminding AGW-certified producers about two opportunities – a labeling assistance grant along with how to get your holiday product specials included in an upcoming promotional push. The days are getting shorter, but we know there is work to be done. Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you in the coming weeks. Thank you for reading and for all you on your farms and in your communities.

ICMYI: For AGW-certified producers – Labeling Assistance Grants

AGW is now offering labeling grants to support producers in the process of incorporating AGW logos on their products (ex: label printing costs, branded egg carton purchases, slaughter plant fees for adding AGW logos to label, etc.). The maximum grant is $500 per operation and is only available for animal products holding AGW certifications. Operations must be certified and in good standing to receive funding, and funding is available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Marketing Services Coordinator, Callie Casteel at callie with questions on labeling assistance and labeling grants.

REMINDER: For AGW-certified producers – Holiday Product Promotion

The holiday season is quickly approaching! If you are showcasing your AGW-certified products through seasonal specials, gift baskets, etc., we’d like to help spread the word. If you’re working with retail partners, distributors, etc. to help sell your products, we’d love to promote them too. For your farm to be included in our holiday product promotion, please send the following information to callie ASAP:

1. AGW-certified product name and description
2. Price
3. Where/How to purchase
4. Photo if available

Featured Resource: Proof of Purchase

We know consumers are often bamboozled by the range of possible certification logos displayed on today’s food products. But they’re not alone. Farmers are too. Read a new blog post, “Proof of Purchase,” written by Andy Griffiths, a UK farmer and farm auditor, about the importance of verified, third-party certification from a farmer’s perspective.

In the News

• Flamingo magazine featured Swallowtail Farm in Gainesville, FL in “Florida’s Hottest Dinner Reservations are on the Farm.”

• Alabama News Center features Working Cows Dairy in Slocomb, AL in “Perennial restaurant opens in Montgomery with a community focus.”

• Lancaster Farming featured Otter Creek Farm in Johnsonville, NY in “Growing Chestnut Trees on Former Dairy Land – A New York Farm’s Success Story.”

• PR Web highlights Big Picture Farm in Townshend, VT in “Big Picture Farm Makes It Easy To Support Sustainable Options For Holiday Gifting.”

You can help us reach more farmers by sharing our weekly farmer updates. Just pass this linkalong and thanks for helping us get the word out about farmer resources and AGW-certified businesses.