Rutland Area Farm & Food Link S u p p ort in g Lo c a l Fa r m s , F r e s h F o od , H e a lt h y p e op l e & r e sil i e n t C o m m u ni t ie s
2 0 0 9 A n n u a l R e p ort Inside Year in Review -2Program Highlights -3Financial Report -8Funders & Contributors -8Volunteer Spotlight -9Organizational Information - 10 Photo Credit: Merck Forest & Farmland Center
Rutland Area Farm and Food Link’s mission is to create economic opportunity for local farms, connect residents to an abundance of healthy local foods, and support environmental sustainability within our food system. By educating the public, facilitating new and expanded markets, creative distribution mechanisms, and processing infrastructure we aim to increase access to local foods and support the economic viability of area farms while seeding the region with new farmers. Formed In 2004, RAFFL complements the work of conservationists by seeking to influence the economic viability of farms because, to quote the American Farmland Trust, “It isn’t farmland without farmers”.
Our twin goals can be summarized as Farm Viability and Food Access.
RAFFL Year in Review President’s Recap
From the Director’s desk
The two words that would best describe RAFFL’s progress in 2009 are growth and maturity. The most important part of our growth and maturity can be attributed to our fundraising and the hiring of an executive director. Certainly this is old news, but one of RAFFL’s founders, Tara Kelly, was chosen to chart our course in the coming years. What a brilliant choice this has turned out to be. Her unwavering Greg Cox, with RAFFL board member John Pollard. passion has only been outshined Photo Credit, Wendy Leffel by her organizational skills and an innate ability to bring people together while recognizing their individual talents and helping them focus on the task at hand. Tara has raised RAFFL’S profile to one of statewide recognition and prominence. Her attendance and participation at events around the state has served to both broaden our base of support and highlight the importance of agriculture in all communities. She has taken the reins of both our food hub and incubator farm projects and moved them closer to becoming a reality. The most amazing part of her work however, is that she has only been executive director for less than one year. Just imagine what 2010 will bring. Hiring an executive director has given us greater flexibility as an organization. India Burnett Farmer, who had previously been our only staff person, has now become our project manager, allowing her to focus on specific tasks that have already borne fruit. RAFFL, through India’s effort, has been awarded a grant for a new farmer initiative. This project has exploded with possibilities and has been embraced wholeheartedly by the farming community. Another major factor in our growth and maturity has been the addition of a full-time vista volunteer which we share with Green Mountain College. We have been lucky to get someone as talented and self motivated as Colleen Teevin. Colleen has been working with Tara behind the scenes on several projects including farm to institution and grow an extra row. Her presence and ability has allowed our organization to continue to expand our capacity. As the snow melts and temperatures rise bringing us closer to a new growing season, I am filled with hope for the possibilities that 2010 will bring to RAFFL. Our continued growth as an organization will bring new needs and challenges into focus and we can only hope that we have access to the talented people that we have had to this point.
Greg Cox, President, RAFFL Board of Directors
This year has been very interesting as RAFFL has expanded our programming within the Rutland region while expanding our connections beyond our region. There is so much happening at the national, New England region and Vermont levels with respect to farming and food systems – and RAFFL’s work is right on target with all of it! Our work over these past few years to research, brainstorm and plan for strategies to increase farm viability and food access had grounded us and readied us for bringing the programs and major investment projects needed for the Rutland region to fruition. We are actively engaged in collaborations with our partners statewide and in other regions. Following in the footsteps of many trailblazers before us, we are part of a movement that will continue to provide examples for others across the nation. Here in the Rutland region, we are grateful for our widespread community support. We will continue to take a leadership role, pulling together many people with many ideas and a readiness to contribute their own talents, energy (or funds, of course). We are creating a new future for agriculture in our communities through solid decision-making, tenacity and the momentum of people working together toward a common goal. With the involvement of all of you, we will do it - together!
Tara Kelly, Executive Director
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
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2009 Annual Report
Grow the Longest Extra Row
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armers and home gardeners in the Rutland Region pledged to grow a little extra food for community members in need in 2009. The produce was collected at area Farmers’ Markets and distributed to the area food shelves and meal programs for people in need of food assistance. The “Grow the Longest Extra Row” effort was a partnership between RAFFL, the Vermont Foodbank Gleaning Program, area agencies, and local farms. “Growing the longest “Extra Row” ever raised in Rutland County is an effort that developed from one simple request. On an early April morning as I was opening my mail I came across a letter from the Rutland Area Women’s Shelter. The letter was addressed to “Clark Farm” and was curious as to why they were writing to us. Upon opening it there was a single page explaining the services that they provide through out the county to various families of domestic abuse. One of their services was providing good food. Like most food shelters it always had to be good “non perishable” food. This did not allow for any fresh fruits or veggies, so necessary for young, growing children. So, at the bottom of the letter (which had been sent to some other growers as well) was a very simple one-line request. “Could you grow one extra row just for us?” They didn’t ask for three or four extra rows or that they be X number of feet long. No, it was for just one “Extra Row.””
Photo Credit: Kellin M. Cavanaugh
Bill Clark Clark Farm and Maple Country Kitchen
“…. those who often do not have much to give have found a wonderful way to give what they can to those in need. It is this very notion of caring for others in what ever small way that we can that makes me proud to live in Vermont.” Sharon Norton Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter
Photo Credit: Wendy Leffel
Program Highlights: •
45 different varieties of fruits and vegetables were donated
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Delivered over 10,000 pounds of produce to low-income families via 14 different food shelves and meal programs in the Rutland Region Value of the food donations $15,281
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RAFFL PROJECT AREA: FOOD ACCESS
With this program we’ve created a system that made it convenient for farmers and gardeners to donate and established a consistent delivery system that recipient organizations could rely upon. Rutland County has some of the highest obesity rates in the state. With this program, we’ve helped take one step toward bringing healthier choices to people relying upon food assistance.
A very special thanks to:
Thomas Dairy, Williams Hardware and Noble Ace Hardware for their donation of facility space and supplies! And thanks to Meadow Squier, our summer intern, who did an amazing job leading this effort above and beyond the call of duty! Photo Credit: Kellin M. Cavanaugh
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
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2009 Annual Report
Workplace Farmshare Deliveries
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AFFL teamed up with Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) and Rutland Area Visiting Nurses and Hospice (RAVNAH) and created a pilot project linking local farms to employees of local businesses. Employees support local farms by buying a farm “share” and in return receive on-site delivery of nutritious, fresh-picked local produce. Consumers receive fresh food while helping to sustain the local economy, a healthy environment, and the livelihood of local farmers they know and trust.
Christmas. People loved the quality of what they received, remarked about how it encouraged them to try new products or products they knew in new ways.
Many employees involved in the program said opening their share box felt like
Sarah Narkewicz, Director of Bowse Health Trust, Rutland Regional Medical Center
“I was surprised by the level of participation by employees in this program. There is a lot of interest in eating healthy and supporting local farms. The worksite CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) has sparked other changes in providing healthier food options at Rutland Regional Medical Center.” Photo Credit: Kellin M. Cavanaugh
RAFFL Project Areas:
Program Highlights:
FOOD ACCESS & FARM VIABILITY
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Employees of RRMC had contacted RAFFL asking for help because they were unable to make it to area farmers’ markets due to demanding and variable work schedules. With this program employees were able to get convenient access to fresh, nutritious farm products. Farmers were able to increase revenues by serving this new, reliable customer base.
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Pilot partnership started with RRMC and RAVNAH Summer shares were delivered June through October, with winter shares delivered October through April 65 employees enrolled in summer option, generating over $33,000 in new sales for farmers Over $12,000 in new winter sales generated for farmers from 30 employees RRMC signed the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge
Gleaning Program What is gleaning? Gleaning is the act of harvesting rows of produce that farmers were going to turn under to start a new crop. Instead of this produce becoming worm food or compost we have been able to feed hundreds of people in Rutland County after gleaning the fields. “…..As we sharpen our skills, we hope to show that (with determination) gleaning can become a reality for all Vermont communities on the path to a more sustainable future…… Many hands make light work.” Theresa Snow, Vermont Foodbank
Did You Know? •
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Program Highlights: Last season produce was gleaned from three farms: Clark Farm, Foggy Meadow Farm, and Boardman Hill Farm
RAFFL Project Area: FOOD ACCESS
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Over 50% of students in some of our school districts receive free and subsidized meals Rutland farmers market redeems the highest number of Farm-to-Family (WIC) coupons in the state Each year, 10% of Vermont’s citizens visit a food shelf at some time
Farmers need to plant for a bad year in order to minimize their risk. The result is some items have a tremendous year, leaving the farmer with more than he or she can sell. Gleaning is an effective way to capture thousands of pounds of produce that would otherwise go to waste. Interested in helping out with this endeavor? How about having some fun in the sun? In order to increase our ability to do more, volunteers are needed to go out to the farms and pick produce.
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
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2009 Annual Report
Twilight in the Meadow
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he first foray into fundraising dinners was held in October 2009 at the beautiful Milky Way Organic Dairy Farm in Ira. Chef Sissy Hicks prepared an amazing meal enjoyed by guests in the middle of a meadow. “It started with appetizers of chicken liver pate…rustic whole-grained bread … local wines…. and finished with sumptuous apple cake and Photo Credit: Ron Steffens cinnamon ice cream…Green fields all around, full moon, lively conversation, and lovely food accompanied by that faint, nostalgic whiff of manure to remind real epicures from whence their food comes.” Sharon Parquette Nimtz, Twice Bitten, Rutland Herald
Program Highlights: • • Photo Credit: Ron Steffens
22 farmers donated to this dinner The event sold out with over 100 people in attendance
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14 specialty food producers donated Raised funds for RAFFL’s ongoing work
Annual Locally Grown Guide The guide is a free publication promoting the bounty of farm products grown and sold in the region. It contains detailed information on farms, farm stands, farmers’ markets, retail stores, food processors, and restaurants that work with locally grown food. A map identifying the location of these farms and businesses is in the Guide, also included are seasonal recipes highlighting local ingredients and profiles of area farmers.
Program Highlights: • • • •
37,000 copies distributed Annual publication in its 4th year Fully supported by ad sales and local support Pick up the latest edition in numerous locations around the county and read it on our website.
RAFFL Project Areas: FOOD ACCESS AND FARM VIABILITY The Locally Grown Guide makes it easier for a wide range of individuals and other purchasers of local foods to find the products they are looking for resulting in new sales for farms. The Guide also incorporates tips and information about eating locally and affordably. www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
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2009 Annual Report
Photo Credit: Wendy Leffel
New Farmer Initiative
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his initiative seeks to “seed” the Rutland Region with the next generation of beginning farmers by providing a comprehensive portfolio of data and services to new farmers. In the Rutland Region, RAFFL (more specifically our staff, India Burnett Farmer) serves as the “go to” organization to field new farmer questions. This puts us in an ideal position to identify and help broker relationships between farmers and new market opportunities.
This year, Lindsay Arbukle and Scott Courcelle are farming on their own for the first time. Lindsay found that there was a lot of information she didn’t learn in high school or college. “From help with liability insurance, to college extension publications of note, the emails and contact I’ve had [with RAFFL] has been extremely helpful,” Lindsay says, adding, “I feel supported. The New Farmer Initiative is a network for learning, for community and encouragement.”
RAFFL Project Area: FARM VIABILITY
Program Highlights:
New farmers need access to a number of things… land, capital and technical assistance. RAFFL is working to help new farmers in our region gain access to these things.
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Regional Food Centers Collaborative RAFFL is proud to be part of a network of other “regional food centers” in Vermont working toward the same goals. RAFFL’s Executive Director, Tara Kelly, is actively engaged in the collaborative and serves as co-chair for this group. Our partner organizations are all doing great work throughout the state. For more information, check out our website for links to their websites. Collaborative Members: • • • • • • • •
Rutland Area Farm and Food Link Food Works at Two Rivers Center The Center for an Agricultural Economy ACORN Local Food Collaborative The Intervale Center LACE (Local Agricultural Community Exchange Post Oil Solutions: Greater Falls Regional Food Center Vital Communities - Valley Food and Farm
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
At a mixer in November, over 50% of attendees were ‘new faces’ to RAFFL Through this program, new farmers have been linked to tax and business planning services, potential farm rentals, commercial kitchen space and more. Started the blog “What’s Growin’ On” to share ideas and experiences between the area’s new farmers.
Advances in Outreach
RAFFL’s website was completely revamped this year. Check it out for updates on our work and upcoming events! www.rutlandfarmandfood.org Become our Fan on Facebook for event updates and exciting RAFFL news! Our new blog, “What’s Growin’ On” www.raffl.wordpress.com - is an online forum for New Farmers to share information, experiences, ideas and passions in pursuit of building a collective understanding of the challenges and triumphs of (re) building our farming community. •6•
2009 Annual Report
Projects on the Horizon... .... RAFFL is working on two major projects that will radically alter the Rutland region’s ability grow more food, supply underserved markets, and establish new farm operations. These projects will attract major investment to our area, generate new jobs, develop new business enterprises, and bring a fresh perspective to the future of our communities.
Community Farm & Agricultural Resource Center RAFFL Program Area: Farm Viability The Center will be a land-based business incubator where new farmers can hone agricultural skills and test the viability and feasibility of their start-up endeavors. The Center will allow new farmers to focus on building their markets and distribution systems, developing a strong business plan, and determining efficient and effective growing techniques. In addition to “incubating” new farms, the center will be a space for the community to learn about and participate in agriculture and food production and celebrate the vibrancy of the Region’s food system.
Status Report • • •
Searching for 100+ acres of farmland upon which to locate the Center Will serve as research and learning space to cultivate innovative agricultural services and support In addition to assisting farmers, the Center would be a gathering space to used for talks, workshops, entertainment, feasting, and other events
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Business plan for the farm incubator has been completed
Photo Credits: India Burnett Farmer
Green Mountain Food Hub RAFFL Program Areas: Farm Viability & Food Access • • • •
The Green Mountain Food Hub will provide food processing, storage and distribution facilities serving farmers and specialty food producers in the southwest corner of Vermont Food will be processed and packaged to meet demand of local schools and other institutions Provide farmers with a fair trade value Space for food entrepreneurs to create their products and launch or expand their businesses
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
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2009 Annual Report
2009 Financial Report Revenues
Total $115,933
Expenses
total $92,833
our sincerest thank you to all that contributed and supported us! the work of raffl relies heavily on the generosity of donors.
M ajor D onors 2009 Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, High Meadows Foundation, Johnson Family Foundation, Vermont Community Foundation, New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, The John Merck Fund, Hills and Hollows Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hatch
C ontributors 2009 47 Main AA Plumbing & Heating Ali Jesser & Rick Wilson Allen & Sandy Gartner Ann Clark Anita Ristau Baba-A-Louis Bakers Baird Farm Barbara & Bill Carris Barbara Fenhagen Bill Lohsen Boardman Hill Farm Bob & Kathy Allen Cabot Creamery Carol Tashie & Dennis Duhaime Castanea Foundation Castleton Crackers Catherine Thomas & Herbert Ogden Charles Edgar Christine & Bill Bannerman CVPS David Horgan Dean Boggio & Mary Droege Dr Michael Scovner Dutchess Farm East Poultney General Store Eleanor Tison & Mark Dailey Eric & Dale Davenport Ethel & Harvey Horner Eugenia Cooke First Brandon Bank
Gabrielle McDermit Grant & Jo Reynolds Green Mountain College Green Mountain Country Bakery Green’s Sugar House Hampshire Hollow Farm Heritage Family Credit Union Hull & Taffy Maynard Itala Rutter Jacob Park & Rhonda Schlangen Jacob Sherman Jeanne Bouchard Jennifer Powers Jill & Brian Nolan Joan Aleshire Joan & Steve Devinny Joan Gamble Joe Desena & Courtney Lawson John Malcolm John Pollard Kathy Allen Kenneth & Emily Mulder Kenneth Welch Kent Smith Kiki McShane Laurie Mecier Laurie Phillips Lawrence & Betty Sullivan Leonard & Sally Zivitz Lorraine Kimble Lucy Biddle Mark & Jane Skakel
Magic Brush Painting Marion Cleary Marsha & Martin Hemm Marsha & Paul Fonteyn Mary Ashcroft Matt & Trish Peschl Mentor Connector Merchants Bank Michael & Phyllis Wells Michael Beattie & Leslie Silver Michael Horner & Sandy Fink Morningside Farm Mountain Times NBF Architects Pam & Dick Kilburn Partner Earth Education Center Paul & Ingrid Gallo Paul Colletti Paul Jardine Paul Saueracker Philip & Michelle Lapp Phillis Torrey R & Karin Birbeck Ralph & Sharon Parquette Nimtz Randal & Katja Smathers Richard & Elizabeth Swartz Richard & Cheryl Hanson Richard & Elaine Nordmeyer RC & Annabelle Westling Williams Roland & Elizabeth Gibson Ron Steffens Rutland Regional Medical Center
Sandy Cohen Sherman & Pat Hunter Sheryl Rapee Adams Shirlee & Don Nickless Stanley Sharpiro & Cathy Baker Stanley & Rene Wilbur Steve Eddy Steve & Nancy Allenby Steven Walsh & Deborah Schoch Susan Laporte Tara Kelly Ted & Martha Izzi Thomas Dairy Tom & Tricia Huebner Tom Johnson & Ina Smith TR Lovko Vermont Country Store Vermont Herb & Salad Company Walter & Trude Lauf Wayne & Kathleen Krevetski Wehse & Kinney Insurance Wendy Leffel White Wave Foods Williams Hardware Woods Insurance Agency
Please support RAFFL as we continue to grow and expand our programming in 2010. Making a tax deductible donation is as easy as visiting our website or calling 802-417-7331. Don’t forget to check if your company matches your donation to non-profit organizations! www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
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2009 Annual Report
IN-KIND / PRODUCT DONATIONS Alix Fenhagen & Robert Marbury Ambleside Farm Ann Clark & Sandy Cohen Brown Boar Farm Blue Ledge Farm Boardman Hill Farm Brown’s Orchard Cabot Creamery Castleton Crackers Cerridwen Farm Champlain Orchards Chartwells Dining Service Chef Dennis Vieira of Red Clover Inn Clark Farm & Maple Country Kitchen Consider Bardwell CoZi Repro CV Solar & Wind DR Power Equipment Supply Dutchess Farm
Elizabeth Hinterberger Jazz Ensemble Filthy Farm Girl Soap Foggy Meadow Farm Foley Services Forget-Me-Not Farm GardenTime Green Mountain College Hawley’s Florist Heleba Potatoes Hendy Brothers Holiday Inn – Rutland Horizon Organics Hubbards Septic Irabrook Farm Karen’s Foods Laurel Hill Farm Life Is Sweet Lincoln Peak Vineyards Mighty Food Farm Mountain Top Inn Mr. Twitters Gift & Garden Emporium
Mark Hamilton Max Weintraub Mike’s Country Store Milky Way Organic Farm Naga Bakehouse Never Better Farm Noble Ace Hardware Paramount Theater Palms Restaurant Radical Roots Farm Red Houses Farm Right Mind Farm Riverside Farm Rupert Rising Bakery Rutland Intermediate School Garden Rutland Regional Planning Commission Rutland Winter Farmer’s Market Rutland Area Food Co-op Sissy’s Kitchen Salsa from the Gut
Shawn & Lynn Keith Slyboro Cider House Smokey House Center SolarFest Sunset Farm Table 24 Restaurant Thomas Dairy Thrive Center of Wallingford Vermont Ayr, Crawford Family Farm Vermont Hills Teriyaki Vermont Maple Granola Company Vermont Marble Museum Vermont Herb & Salad Company Victorian Inn Willie T’s Cookies Woodstock Cookie Company Woods Market Garden Williams Hardware
VOLUNTEERS Hundreds of volunteer hours help us to accomplish our work. Thank you to the many folks who have contributed their energy, time, talents, ideas and encouragement over the past year.
Volunteer Feature: Dennis Duhaime
a big vision for what is possible for Rutland County, a generous heart, and a solid work ethic.
Dennis Duhaime is a great example of the volunteers who bring energy, enthusiasm and dedication to RAFFL’s work and mission.
We have Dennis to thank for our beautiful “sandwich boards” that allow RAFFL to have a visible presence at Farmers’ Markets and other events – even when we can not have staff or volunteers onsite. Dennis not only thought of the idea – he handcrafted them for us!!
Dennis has served on RAFFL’s board for the last two years but will be leaving the board this year as he and his partner Carol Tashie (also a RAFFL boardmember) begin their new farming venture, Radical Roots. We know Dennis will continue working with us, but his presence on the board will be missed. In addition to his calm, thoughtful, and sage input on many of the more complicated issues – Dennis brings Photo Credit: Wendy Leffel
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
Finally, Dennis has been a force unto himself with selling ad spaces for our Locally Grown Guide over the past two years. The work of RAFFL is made possible by the hard work, energy, and commitment of folks like Dennis. THANK YOU DENNIS!
Dennis’ generosity is evident. He (along with Carol) grew a significant amount of food last summer (over 400 pounds) for donation to area food shelves and other hunger relief programs. We also relied on Dennis nearly every Saturday to help out with the collection of food donations from other folks at the farmers market. Dennis is also one of the hidden gems in making the Winter Farmers’ Market in Rutland possible. At the time, Dennis was associated with the Rutland Area Food Co-op. He spent many, many hours renovating their space to make it possible for the Winter Farmers’ Market to move in. It was A LOT of work – and the whole community is better for it!
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Photo Credit: Kellin M. Cavanaugh
2009 Annual Report
RAFFL Staff Tara Kelly Executive Director tara@rutlandfarmandfood.org
India Burnett Farmer Program Director india@rutlandfarmandfood.org
Colleen Teevin AMERICORPS VISTA - Local Food Link Coordinator teevinc@greenmtn.edu Photo Credit: Naga Bakehouse
RAFFL Board of directors Philip Ackerman-Leist, Green Mountain College [VicePresident] Julie Barber, Brown Boar Farm Greg Cox, Boardman Hill Farm [President] Dennis Duhaime, Radical Roots Farm Lani Duke, writer Steve Eddy Mike Horner Wendy Leffel, MD [Treasurer] Heather McDermott, Vermont Herb and Salad Company Jon Place John Pollard, Red Wing Farm Marli Rupe, Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District Julie Sperling, Naga Bakehouse Carol Tashie, Radical Roots Farm Eleanor Tison, Green Mountain College [Secretary]
Organizational Partners Green Mountain College Rutland Area Food Co-op Poultney-Mettowee NRCD Vermont Land Trust Area farmers’ markets Vermont Foodbank Gleaning Program VT FEED UVM Extension Service & Center for Sustainable Agriculture George D. Aiken RC&D Council Rutland County Nutrition Coalition Vermont Regional Food Centers Collaborative Rutland Redevelopment Authority Rutland Regional Planning Commission
want to learn more, volunteer, or support our work with a donation? Contact: Rutland Area Farm and Food Link P.O. Box 561 East Poultney, VT 05741 802-417-7331 www.rutlandfarmandfood.org Photo Credit: Green Mountain College
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
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2009 Annual Report