For 17 years, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) has awarded scholarships to small-scale Delmarva farmers to attend sustainable farming conferences including the following: Pasa Sustainable Agriculture (Pasa) Annual Conference, Future Harvest CASA Conference, and Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference.
This year, the HLFM awarded six scholarships. Scholarships from the regular scholarship fund went to Vicki Cronis-Nohe and Paula Soghomonian of Derby Mill Farm, Dover, DE to attend the Future Harvest CASA Conference and Jay McCutcheon of Weathered Eye Farm, Lewes, DE to attend the Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Conference.
In 2016, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market established an emerging women farmers’ scholarship fund in memory of Delaware farmer Debra L. Schaefer. This year, three farmers received a Debra L. Schaefer Scholarship for Emerging Women Farmers: Rebecca Buckler of Williwaw Farm, Preston, MD will attend the Future Harvest CASA Conference and Madison Woolford from Dittmar Family Farms, Felton, DE and Andrea Davis-Cetina of Quarter Acre Farm, Greensboro, MD will attend the Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Conference.
Consistent with its mission, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market is committed to supporting local farmers and emerging farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and other foods. These scholarships help small Delmarva farmers become better educated about sustainable farming practices. For more information about the Historic Lewes Farmers Market and their farmers’ scholarship program, visit their website at historiclewesfarmersmarket.org, email info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org, or call 302-644-1436.