Purpose Driven Family Farm Receives National Grant Award from FACT

The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C.
·2 min read

Mar. 20—CHICAGO — A farm in Parkton recently was awarded a $2,500 grant from a national nonprofit with the mission to ensure that all food-producing animals are raised in a humane and healthy manner.

Food Animal Concerns Trust, or FACT, awarded a Fund a-Farmer Grant to Purpose Driven Family Farm. The farm is owned by retired Sgt. AJ Meneses and his wife, Saira.

The grant is designed to expand humane farming and increase pasture-based livestock production, according to FACT. Purpose Driven Family Farm will use the money to improve animal access to rotational grazing paddocks.

"We are delighted to partner with Purpose Driven Family Farm to improve animal welfare," said Larissa McKenna, FACT's Humane Farming Program director. "The ongoing pandemic has exposed both the fragility of the factory food system and the resilience of local, sustainable farms. FACT's Fund-a-Farmer grants provide a needed financial boost for operations like Purpose Driven Family Farm so that they may continue to do what they do best — care for their animals and provide nourishing, humanely-raised food for people in their communities."

This year FACT has awarded 56 grants totaling more than $130,000 to farmers and ranchers across 33 states. Since 2012, FACT has cumulatively awarded 257 grants totaling more than $590,000 to farmers across 44 states, directly benefiting more than 136,000 animals.

A recent 2021 survey of past grant recipients found that the grants have produced a wide range of long-term benefits, according to FACT. Overall, 98% of farmers reported that their FACT-funded projects improved animal welfare, 92% experienced a positive environmental impact, and 88% found that the grant improved their farm's financial viability by decreasing expenses, increasing customers and visibility, and ultimately improving net profits.

"With this grant to Purpose Driven Family Farm, residents of the Fayetteveille, Fort Bragg and the surrounding area will have additional humanely raised food options to bring home to their kitchen table," a FACT news release reads in part.

For more information on humane products, visit FACT's website at www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org. to learn more about Purpose Driven Family Farm, go online to www.purposedrivenfamilyfarm.com/.

In addition to awarding grants, FACT offers mentorship, webinars, and conference scholarships as part of its suite of farmer services.