2015 LOFF Recipients

Lakewinds is proud to grant funding to the following farms and organizations that share our passion for organic food, land stewardship, sustainable agriculture, new farms, and a greater access to healthy food in our communities.  Our eleven (11) recipients received funds totaling $55,572 toward their diverse and valuable projects.

Bakers’ Acres – Avon, MN

  • Will expand wash and pack area, and purchase equipment to maximize produce quality, increasing handling and storage capacity.  Will achieve food safety compliance and extend growing season.
  • Total funded: $4,225

Beez Kneez – Minneapolis, MN

  • To fund Camp Beez Kneez, a new educational, 14 week, hands-on guided beekeeping course focused on organic and sustainable practices.
  • Total Funded: $8,000

Blue Ox Organics – Wheeler, WI

  • Will complete root cellar for winter vegetable storage, creating the ability to provide local, organic produce in winter months.
  • Total Funded: $4,225

The Farm of Minnesota – Hutchinson, MN

  • Will bring current packing shed to food safety standards, and achieve compliance for G.A.P. certification.
  • Total Funded: $4,225

Fox and Fawn Farm – New Germany, MN

  • Will continue New Crops Project, year two.  Further product diversity project to introduce new or uncommon crops to region, by purchasing nursery trees and shrubs.
  • Total Funded: $1,500

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) – Spring Valley, WI

  • Will support the Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring Project, which pairs 30-35 new farmers with successful and experienced organic farmers.
  • Total Funded: $7,500

Prairie Point Farm – Browns Valley, MN

  • Will purchase a tractor-driven feed mill for processing transitional and organic grain. Feed will be used for animals at this farm, and other area farms.
  • Total Funded: $8,000

Sin Fronteras Farm & Food – Minneapolis, MN

  • Will transition farm to organic, achieve organic certification, and fund the farm land trust. Will help develop sustainable future for organic farming in the Indigenous/Latino community.
  • Total Funded: $4,000

Steady Hand Farm – Amery, WI

  • Will purchase in-floor, water-based heating system to efficiently operate greenhouse for high quality, early-to-field vegetable starts.
  • Total Funded: $3,797

Sweet Beet Farm – Montrose, MN

  • Will construct packing shed and washing station in existing building. This will create an efficient and food-safe post-harvest handling environment.
  • Total Funded: $4,225

York Farm – Hutchinson, MN

  • Will complete organic table grape vineyard, increasing from 10 to 24 rows, for a total of 1.25 acres of vineyard.
  • Total Funded: $5,875