The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $452,904 to Partner Community Capital, Inc. (doing business as Ncif) on March 1, 2026, under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175) to create a sustainable method for Downtown Lafayette Farmers Market vendors to promote and market themselves. The award funds the development and delivery of marketing tools and training to equip vendors to enhance their marketing efforts.
Partner Community Capital, Inc. is a tax-exempt nonprofit community development financial institution based in Charles Town, West Virginia, specializing in financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building services to underserved communities and entrepreneurs with limited access to capital. The organization delivers services across rural and Appalachian regions with emphasis on disadvantaged populations.
The period of performance runs from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2029. Work is performed in West Virginia. The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program supports development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food systems through direct producer-to-consumer markets and local food business enterprises.