Oatka Creek Farm Awarded $4,000 Through Great Lakes Farm Navigator Network
Oatka Creek Farm, a small produce farm located along Oatka Creek in LeRoy, received a $4,000 microgrant from the Brighter Future Fund to support its transition to a no-till, organic farming operation.
Founded in 2022 by first-generation farmers Ben Pfeffer and Carolyn Fitzgerald, Oatka Creek Farm operates on historic farmland that has been cultivated by Carolyn’s family for eight generations. Although neither Ben nor Carolyn grew up on a farm, they have extensive experience in resilient farming methods and sustainable food systems. Before relocating to western New York, they owned and operated Raisin’ Roots, an organic vegetable farm in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Today, Oatka Creek Farm cultivates approximately fifteen acres of diverse cash crops, including fresh herbs, tomatoes, leafy greens, onions, peppers, and gourds. To promote soil health, they implement cover crops like wheat, rye, and clover while prioritizing no-till equipment and avoiding herbicides. However, managing weed pressure and improving soil organic matter remain ongoing priorities. To address these, Ben and Carolyn have strategically utilized available resources such as federal programs and grant funding to advance their farming practices.
Oatka Creek Farm has engaged with multiple agricultural support and conservation organizations, including Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District to complete an Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Tier 3A Plan; the Natural Resources Conservation Service to access technical assistance and financial compensation through the USDA Conservation Stewardship Program; and American Farmland Trust to learn about available funding opportunities, like the Brighter Future Fund.
The Brighter Future Fund intends to alleviate some of the cost barriers that arise for farmers seeking to “1) access, transfer or permanently protect farmland, or 2) adopt regenerative farming practices and increase resilience of farmland in the Great Lakes watershed.” Farmers can receive up to $4,000 for eligible projects, but to qualify, they must work with a Great Lakes Farm Navigator, such as the Genesee Valley Conservancy.
Genesee Valley Conservancy, one of only four New York State Navigators in the Great Lakes Farm Navigator Network, began working with Oatka Creek Farm in October 2024. Ben and Carolyn reached out to learn more about the Brighter Future Fund and from there the Conservancy visited Oatka Creek, learned about their operation and aspirations for their farm, and assisted them in submitting an application later that month. Their proposal, focused on no-till equipment and organic compost to enhance soil health, secured them $4,000 in December 2024.
The Brighter Future Fund is accepting applications through April 30, 2025. Beyond funding regenerative farming tools, eligible projects could include supplementing transaction costs to secure farmland or hiring an attorney or consultant to craft a farm transfer, business, or financial plan. To learn more about the Brighter Future Fund and eligible projects, visit website link.
Interested in applying? Contact Taylor Wilkie at the Genesee Valley Conservancy by phone at (585) 969-3313 or email at farmland@geneseevalleyconservancy.org to get started.
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To learn more about Oatka Creek Farm, visit their website at www.oatkacreekfarm.com and stay up to date on seasonal produce information and farm events by joining their email list. Looking for fresh, seasonal produce? Oatka Creek makes it easy by offering full or half shares of their 2025 CSA (registration is now open!), Seasonal Farm Boxes available weekly, on-farm retail days, and a stand at the LeRoy Farmers Market. Don’t miss out!