Alfred Farmers Market Receives ACAF Grant
Earlier this summer, the Allegany County Area Foundation awarded the Alfred Farmers Market a grant of $500 to support the Market’s Family Activities Tent. This award came out of ACAF’s Allegany Fund, through which the Foundation assists non-profit organizations all around the county.
Founded in 2010 and open Sundays from 11am-3pm, the Farmer’s Market has quickly become a popular Alfred tradition. The Foundation grant allowed AFM board member/tent coordinator Allecia Brutsman to purchase new materials and supplies.
The Family Tent program features a variety of hands on, educational and nature-related activities. While kid-centered, the tent has proven to be of interest to adults and really serves entire families. Ten to fifteen visitors stop in on a typical Sunday – with many more on AFM festival days.
Ms. Brutsman reports that the expanded curriculum has been well received. “People look forward to it’, she notes, “it’s been good for the community.” Her engaging programming has also caught the attention of nearby communities – which have contacted her, expressing interest in creating a similar space for their events.