RUTLAND AREA FARM AND FOOD LINK Connecting farmers and consumers
www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
With
WHAT’S INSIDE Grow - a - Row Highlights December Grants / Donations Save the Date: Resource Fair & Farmers Gathering Farm-to-Workplace News Upcoming Events
2 2 3 3 4
SHOUT OUT OF THE MONTH Thank you to the Rutland Regional Planning Commission and Green Mountain College for their continued support of RAFFL. We love our office space and the use of your equipment helps us keep our overhead costs very low! And...a special thanks to our neighbors at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for donating excess desks, filing cabinets, and bookcases!
spring around the corner, RAFFL is brimming with activity and new developments. We’re busily prepping for our annual Farmer Resource Fair and Farmers Gathering localvore dinner–two of RAFFL’s most popular events packed into one day (see page 3). Plus, we moved into a new office space and added two new employees. With this growth, we’ll be able to increase our programs and make a huge difference in the Rutland area.
February 2011
Arbuckle for once again doing an outstanding job on the Guide. This job takes a lot of diverse skills including both “big picture” vision and heroic attention to detail. Lindsay’s got it all!
NEW STAFF. Welcome to Kris Smith of Brandon. Kris brings a lot of great skills to our organization and is already proving to be an amazing asset! She will be helping to manage the administrative details of the organization, creating new and exciting outreach tools, and NEW PARTNERSHIP. RAFFL is proud to planning fun and educational events. announce that we are a new member of the Rutland Region Chamber Another big welcome to Jill Perry of Commerce. We look forward to Balzano of Poultney. Jill has just the collaborating with the Chamber to right experience, savvy, organizational bring information about our local skills, and determination to take on farms and food outlets to tourists and our new position of New Markets other visitors to our area. Development and Education. Jill has on-farm experience, she helped to form LOCALLY GROWN GUIDE. 40,000 a multi-farm CSA in New Hampshire copies of the 2011 Locally Grown called Local Harvest, AND she taught Guide are scheduled to hit the stands high school for 10 years. She’s a great in May. Thanks to everyone who addition to the team! made a donation to the 2011 Guide or purchased an ad. Through your As we head into the growing season, generous support, we met our goal RAFFL is actively working to strengthen of generating $15,000 in revenue to Rutland’s vibrant agricultural sector cover the cost of making this resource and connect more-and-more folks available to our community! to our local food system. E-mail info@rutlandfarmandfood.org or visit A HUGE thank you to Lindsay our website to learn more!
GROW-A-ROW GROWS A TON (ACTUALLY 9 TONS!)
The Grow-a-Row program continues
to make tremendous strides towards increasing access to fresh produce for area families. This year, we nearly doubled the amount of healthy, locallygrown food that was collected through donations and gleaning efforts. Through the Grow-a-Row program, RAFFL distributed over 16,500 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to the community. Another 1,000 pounds of frozen vegetables and storage crops—potatoes, cabbage, and winter squash—will be distributed this February and March. The Grow-a-Row program could not have been successful without enthusiastic community support— thank you! A special thanks also goes out to Bill Clark, who donated over 5,000 pounds of produce, facilitated the donation of 1,000 pounds of Perry’s potatoes, and helped connect RAFFL with area apple orchards.
As you plan for the upcoming planting and harvesting season, please consider reserving some space on your farm or in your home garden to dedicate to the Grow-a-Row program. There is no minimum donation and home gardeners are encouraged to participate! Interested in volunteering this summer? Check our New Farmer blog and website for opportunities!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIELD • 17,500 pounds of fresh produce
donated • over 50 different vegetables, fruits, herbs, and eggs distributed • 25 farms and 8 home gardners participated • 55 volunteers donated 270+ hours collecting extra produce at markets, gleaning produce on farms, and distributing the produce • 26 Rutland-area agenicies and nonprofits received donated produce!!
Over 17,500 pounds of fresh, healthy produce collected and distributed to local families! Questions about the Grow-a-Row program? Interested in starting Growa-Row in your town? Contact Garland Mason, Local-Link Coordinator, at masong@greenmtn.edu or (802) 287 - 2940.
DECEMBER GRANTS & DONATIONS - THANK YOU! RAFFL is pleased to announce that we are the recent recipient of the following grants and major donations:
Support RAFFL! This is a pivotal year for RAFFL as we expand our programs, reach out to new farmers, and make local food more accessible to all. Support our work by sending a donation to RAFFL P.O. Box 561 East Poultney, VT 05741 or visit www.rutlandfarmandfood.org THANK YOU!
• James T. Bowse Trust ($55,000 over three years): To support nutrition and cooking education to integratfresh, local foods into personal meals • Vermont Community Foundation ($7,000) • High Meadows Fund ($15,000) • John Merck Fund ($30,000): To support and expand RAFFL’s New Farmer Initiative • Agency of Agriculture ($5,000) To conduct planning work related to bringing local farm products into institutions (hospitals, schools, etc.) • Serena and Whitney Hatch ($10,000) We appreciate these funders’ confidence in our programs and commitment to our mission. Their support makes our work possible!
Join
FARMER RESOURCE FAIR & FARMERS GATHERING
RAFFL, Green Mountain College, and Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District on March 22 for our annual Farmer Resource Fair and Gathering. Through workshops and presentations, we’ll learn about, discuss, and debate relevant agricultural issues. Plus, there will be tons of opportunities to connect with fellow farmers, buyers, and regional agricultural service providers. It’s sure to be a fun, informative day! This year RAFFL is combining its Resource Fair with the ever-popular Farmers Gathering dinner. Come for the afternoon Resource Fair, the localvore dinner, or—even better— both! The dinner will feature Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, as she discusses the statewide Farm-to-Plate strategic plan.
When: Tuesday March 22, 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm Where: Green Mountain College, Poultney VT 1 - 5:30pm Farmer Workshops • Developing a Farm Food Safety Plan with Hans Estrin and Ginger Nickerson • Hiring farm employees: What you should know • Expand your market: Learning session between institutional buyers and farmers • Growers Discussion: On-farm Composting Q & A with the Highfields Center for Composting • Growers Discussion: Farm-to-Plate Plan Q & A on scaling up Vermont agriculture with Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund 4:00 - 7:00pm Farmer Resource Fair Agricultural organizations and service providers will have displays set up and staff on hand to educate you about their programs and how they can benefit your farm
7:00 - 9:00pm Farmers Gathering A community meal sourced from local farms, followed by a presentation by Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund on the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan. Resource Fair Vendors: Northeast SARE & eOrganics, Green Mountain College - Farm and Food Project & Cerridwen Farm, UVM Extension - Rural & Ag VocRehab, Farm Service Agency, Rural Vermont, NOFAVT, VT Economic Development Authority, Vermont Land Trust, USDA, Intervale Center, Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District, Rutland Area Farm and Food Link, and more!
Register at www.rutlandfarmandfood.org (beginning Feb. 28) Questions? E-mail info@rutlandfarmandfood.org or call (802) 417 - 1528
FARM-TO-WORKPLACE Back by popular demand, RAFFL is again coordinating its Farm-to-Workplace Delivery, helping to connect Rutland’s workforce with farm-fresh food. This year, we’re partnering with Champlain Orchards, Wood’s Market Garden, Boardman Hill Farm, and Dutchess Farm to offer farm share deliveries to workplaces around the Rutland area, including Rutland Regional Medical Center, Central Vermont Public Service, Heritage Family Credit Union, Rutland Mental Health, Foley Services, and more.
What’s a CSA? Individuals sign up for a farm share and pay for it upfront, helping the farmer to cover initial planting and operation costs. During the summer, shareholders receive a portion of the harvest, often at considerable savings over grocery store prices. It’s a great way to save money, try new veggies, and connect with your local farmers! Want a farm share delivered to your workplace? Contact Jill at jill@rutlandfarmandfood.org or call (802) (802) 417-1499
COMING SOON! The 2011 edition of RAFFL’s Locally Grown Guide is set to hit the stands this May. In partnership with the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and the Rutland Herald, RAFFL is working to increase the Guide’s visibilty. Expect to see 40,000 copies distributed throughout the area! Plus, we’ve made some big improvements to the Guide--ranging from size to content: • New magazine-like format--more durable and easier to flip through! • More extensive farm and CSA listings • New recipes, articles, and farmer profiles!
UPCOMING EVENTS RUTLAND AREA FARM AND FOOD LINK Tara Kelly, Exec. Director Lindsey Arbuckle Jill Perry Balzano India Burnett Farmer Garland Mason Mike Raymond Kristin Smith
Board Members
Philip Ackerman-Leist Julie Barber Greg Cox Mike Horner Wendy Leffel John Pollard Marli Rupe Theresa Snow Carol Tashie Eleanor Tison Thank You to Heather McDermott, Beth Vickers, and Jon Place for their service to the board. Each is stepping down due to expanding businesses and family obligations. Heather is co-owner of Vermont Herb and Salad Company, Beth is owner of Vermont Maple Granola, and Jon has just begun an on-farm slaughter and meat-cutting business. We will miss their contributions, but wish them well as they work to expand our local farm and food system! Another big *thank you* to these volunteers who have contributed their time since the beginning of the year: Robert Bader Dennis Duhaime Jessica Estes Chris Littler Philip Picotte Ethan Wallett
March
March 7 RAFFL New Farmer Mixer 7 - 9pm Roots Restaurant 51 Wales Street • Rutland, Vermont Catch up with friends and meet other new farmers in the Region. Light appetizers provided. March 19-20 10th Annual Vermont Maple Open House All weekend, statwide Celebrate Vermont’s maple industry by visiting sugarhouses throughout the state! Sure to be a sweet time...Visit http://vermontmaple.org for more info. March 22 Farmer Resource Fair 1 - 7pm Green Mountain College Poultney, Vermont Discuss relevant agricultural issues, attend workshops, and meet with agricultural organizations, sellers, and service providers. Sponsored by RAFFL, Green Mountain College, and Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District March 22 RAFFL Farmers Gathering Localvore Dinner 7 - 9pm Green Mountain College Poultney, Vermont Enjoy a community meal sourced from local farms, followed by a presentation on the Farm-to-Plate Strategic Plan by guest speaker Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.
March 23 Creating Abundance: A Community Garden and Seed Swap 4:30 - 6:30pm Rutland Free Library 10 Court Street • Rutland, Vermont Discuss all things garden-related and learn about community garden opportunities and RAFFL’s Grow-a-Row program.
April
April 17 “Sunday Sprouting” Community Celebration 11am - 3:30pm Green Mountain College - The Gorge Poultney, Vermont Celebrate the coming spring with music, a sandwich potluck, and silent auction of farm-inspired textiles by artist and GMC student Jason Jansen!
Ongoing
Rutland Winter Farmers Market Saturdays (through April 6) 10am - 2pm Old Strand Theater Rutland, Vermont Stock up on cheeses, breads, baked goods, winter vegetables, and more! Located behind the Rutland Area Food Co-op on Wales Street. Spring and Summer CSA Enrollment Now is the time to sign up for a spring and/or summer CSA! Check out RAFFL’s website or the 2011 Locally Grown Guide for a list of area CSA providers.
Want to see your event here or on RAFFL’s website? E-mail details to kris@rutlandfarmandfood.org