FARMER SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FROM

THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET

Calling all small Delmarva farmers interested in learning more about sustainable practices and focused on growing for the local market. Apply now for the 2026 Historic Lewes Farmers Market (HLFM) scholarship program! Completed applications are due no later than Monday, December 22, 2025.

The HLFM is awarding a number of scholarships for the 2026 conferences. Up to $500 in scholarship money with proof of registration (only two scholarships per farm) will be awarded for in-person conferences, and up to $150 will be awarded for virtually-attended conferences.

Conferences include these in the mid-Atlantic: Future Harvest Conference, January 22-23, 2026, www.futureharvest.org; Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, January 27-29, 2026, www.mafvc.org; Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Conference, February 5-6, 2026, www.pasafarming.org; and similar conferences approved by the HLFM.

In 2016, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market established an emerging women farmers’ scholarship fund in memory of Debra Schaefer, who was a sustainable farmer in Frankford, Delaware. On the application, please indicate if you are applying for one of the Debra Schaefer Scholarships.

To be eligible for the scholarships, the Delmarva farmer must:

1) Currently be developing a sustainable farming enterprise, or currently farming, on the Delmarva.

2) Currently operate a small farm as defined by the ERS (Economic Research Service) for the United States Department of Agriculture (less than $350,000 gross in agricultural sales), on the Delmarva, or be able to demonstrate financial need to attend this conference. (Please note that only two scholarships per farm will be awarded.)

3) Currently be a farmer/grower who sells what they grow, raise, or produce on their own farm, or be in training to become a farmer. A farmer/grower may be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation and shall include family members and employees who assist in the production and/or sales/marketing of the farm products.

4) Commit to sharing their experiences at a virtual HLFM farmer’s workshop that may be held in the spring.

Interested farmers can apply through this link: https://forms.gle/nBqdKXjy5fZDVGH89 or may call (302) 644-1436 or email info@historiclewesfarmersmarket.org for more information.

Completed applications are due no later than Monday, December 22, 2025. All scholarship applicants will be notified of awards by January 9, 2026.