This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City is putting its money where its mouth is, offering $85,000 to spur local sustainable farming efforts.
Through a grant program administered by Urban Food Connections of Utah, farmers across the state can seek city funds for education, tools and equipment.
Utah grows 2 percent of the vegetables and 3 percent of the fruit that it consumes.
Bridget Stuchly, project manager for the city's sustainability department, said the city's most recent community food assessment showed local farmers "didn't have enough resources to do some of the minimal things that they could do to increase production."
"It's usually just a couple thousand dollars to improve your infrastructure," she said.
Examples in a news release about the grants include the construction of hoop houses or greenhouses, purchase of organic seed and labor costs.
Alison Einerson, who directs the Downtown Farmers Market, said they expect some farmers will spend the money to adopt more water-wise irrigation practices. Others may buy organic pesticides.
Six farmers had already applied as of Friday afternoon, she said.
"We're delighted to partner with Urban Food Connections of Utah to give farmers the critical boost they need to invest back in their operations," said Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski in the release.
Additional information is available at http://www.slcfarmersmarket.org/programs-events/local-food-microgrant-program.
The mayor is scheduled to speak about the program Saturday at the Winter Market at Rio Grande.
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