Mutual Roots Fund
The Mutual Roots Fund is the foundational stage of the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC) farmer pathway. This program is designed to nurture grassroots relationships, spark ideas, and grow collective momentum within our network of Black, Indigenous, and Brown land stewards.
Each year, NEFOC awards up to $2,000 to NEFOC members who have been active for at least one year. These stipends support joy-centered gatherings that strengthen community ties, deepen collaboration, and inspire shared projects rooted in mutual aid, healing, and liberation.
Eligibility: You must be a farmer of color and/or land stewards who are NEFOC Network Members in order to be eligible for this award. If you are not a NEFOC Network Member please use this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/m46jyy6d .
Land Steward: Someone who devotes a significant portion of their time to care for land in a way that is in sync with ecosystem restoration, climate healing, and cultural preservation.
Farmer: A person who is making the day-to-day operating decisions on a farm or spending half of their time cultivating the land.
Award Amount: Up to $2,000
Eligible expenses may include:
Food and meals for gatherings
Travel and lodging
Venue or space rental
Supplies, materials, or media tools
Childcare or interpretation services
Gatherings can take many forms—dinners, skill-shares, healing retreats, seed swaps, or visioning circles—and each must result in a shared output, such as a public event, mutual aid effort, digital zine, blog post, or other creative documentation.
Selection Process:
Applications will be reviewed by a community-based Selection Committee composed of NEFOC members, farmers, and mutual aid practitioners. The committee will prioritize proposals that:
Emphasize joy, connection, and collective care
Are rooted in community need and relationships
Lead to a shared outcome or creative expression
Are logistically sound and realistic given the timeline and budget