Farm Grants
Sozo Valley Farm is starting to take shape!
Amy and Jason Calahan will be running the farm, and have been working for years towards this goal. They've been reading books, watching films, attending classes, and getting in as much farm work as possible. They've recently begun mentoring under established farmers through a program provided by New Growth.
And most excitedly, we've been awarded several microgrants through Known and Grown STL.
Known and Grown "is a farmer-led program that provides mentorship, networking opportunities, farm-to-market assistance, and collaborations" to help farmers and improve local food systems. They've been hosting several "Farm Field Days" each year, which are educational presentations done on working farms. With each field day, there is a microgrant that farmers can apply for. We've been awarded three.
We got a grant to purchase sandbags, which will be used for tarps and row covers. The tarps are used when turning over beds, to accelerate decomposition of any plant matter, as well as protect the soil. Row covers are used to keep out pests and protect from frost or intense sun. We were also able to get a nice bed rake, which will be used for prepping beds before seeding.
We got a grant to purchase cover crop seeds. Cover crops provide many services. They protect the soil from erosion, feed soil micro-organisms, provide fertilizer through nitrogen fixation and organic matter, and feed pollinators and other beneficial insects. Cover crops will be very important to our fertility system until we can get compost production underway.
Finally, we received a grant to purchase irrigation. We will be using "wobblers" connected to the well to water our cover crops and cash crops.
We are so grateful to everything Known and Grown has provided. The grants have been essential in getting things off the ground (or rather, INTO the ground), but they are an incredibly supportive community that have made the whole Calahan family feel welcome.
BUT! We still need help! Starting a farm takes a lot of work, and a lot of infrastructure, even when starting it small and bare bones like we are. Here are some ways you can help us make this farm a success:
- Pray for us! Sun Ministries wouldn't exist without prayer, and this farm is no exception. Pray that we would have wisdom to organize the farm well, would make good connections, and receive the help we need.
- Support us on social media! We know it sounds silly, but social media can go a long way at making connections, and also making us feel supported. Following our facebook, instagram, and tiktok pages, as well as interacting with our content, is a free and easy way to support the farm.
- Volunteer! The ranch as a whole needs lots of work, and laborers are very welcome. But if you're really wanting to focus on the farm, we need help there as well. You can contact Jason at jason@sunministries.org to ask about volunteering
- Donate! We've compiled a "wish list" so you can see how you can best help us. Some of the things on here are cheap or free (got any five gallon buckets?). Some of them are just your knowledge (know much about native plants?). You can view the wish list here or download it below.