Through mini-grants and hosting fee support, MESA helps to champion agroecological projects developed by our current program participants and Steward alumni. MESA’s mini-grant program is called SPRIG (Sustainable Projects Recognizing Innovative Growth). SPRIGs foster agricultural innovation, farmer-to-farmer collaboration and community leadership. 

Over the last two decades, MESA has provided over $205,000 in grants for Global Stewards, U.S. Hosts and graduates of the Bay Area Farmer Training Program to support ecological farming and food justice projects in 16 countries and the United States. Community-based, collaborative SPRIGs have included high tunnel greenhouse and solar installations, carbon sequestration research, insectaries, compost improvements, seed saving, and many more.

SPRIG Project areas of focus:

– Climate Change Resilience
– Biodiversity, Conservation, and Ecological Production
– Market Innovation and Financial Health
– Community Education and Engagement
– Renewable Energy and Green Infrastructure

If you are a U.S. Host Partner or Program Alumni (Steward, BAFT graduate, AFFP) interested in applying for SPRIG support, please email MESA.