We are excited to announce that Minnesota Grown member Costa Farm & Greenhouse in White Bear Lake has been named a winner of ProAct’s Cultivating Change contest, in which local farmers compete for grant awards ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.
The grants will be used to complete a wide variety of sustainability and expansion projects that will positively impact each winning farm and the surrounding community as well. Costa Farm & Greenhouse plans to use their grant of $5,000 to build a new storage and maintenance building.
Established in 1990, Costa Farm & Greenhouse grows sweet corn, assorted kale varieties, peppers, tomatoes and squash. They partner with Bix Produce Company, a PRO*ACT fresh produce distributor and member of Greener Fields Together, a program that supports sustainability throughout the fresh produce supply chain.
The funds will enable Costa Farm & Greenhouse to reach its goal to improve food safety capabilities by streamlining their produce handling. ͞”As a small family farm, this grant will help us guarantee that the fresh veggies that our community receives through our community supported agriculture (CSA) program, various farmer’s markets, and from our farm’s roadside stand is grown in a safe and sustainable manner. We are going to use this grant to expand and improve upon our food safety capabilities. We are humbly encouraged by the support we’ve received in applying for this grant and look forward to continue to grow great produce,” shared Toby Dessonville, Farm Manager at Costa Farm & Greenhouse.
