www.rutlandfarmandfood.org Connecting farmers and consumers February 2011

With 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 offi ce space and added two new employees. With this growth, we’ll be able to increase our programs and make a huge diff erence in the Rutland area.

NEW PARTNERSHIP. RAFFL is proud to announce that we are a new member of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to collaborating with the Chamber to bring information about our local farms and food outlets to tourists and other visitors to our area.

LOCALLY GROWN GUIDE. 40,000 copies of the 2011 Locally Grown Guide are scheduled to hit the stands in May. Th anks to everyone who made a donation to the 2011 Guide or purchased an ad. Th rough your generous support, we met our goal of generating $15,000 in revenue to cover the cost of making this resource available to our community!

A HUGE thank you to Lindsay

WHAT’S INSIDEGrow - a - Row Highlights 2December Grants / Donations 2Save the Date: Resource Fair & Farmers Gathering 3Farm-to-Workplace News 3Upcoming Events 4

SHOUT OUT OF THE MONTH

Th ank you to the Rutland Regional Planning Commission and Green Mountain College for their continued support of RAFFL. We love our offi ce 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, fi ling cabinets, and bookcases!

RUTLAND AREA FARM AND FOOD LINK

Arbuckle for once again doing an outstanding job on the Guide. Th is 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 Smithof 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 planning fun and educational events.

Another big welcome to Jill Perry Balzano of Poultney. Jill has just the right experience, savvy, organizational skills, and determination to take on our new position of New Markets Development and Education. Jill has on-farm experience, she helped to form a multi-farm CSA in New Hampshire called Local Harvest, AND she taught high school for 10 years. She’s a great addition to the team!

As we head into the growing season, RAFFL is actively working to strengthen Rutland’s vibrant agricultural sector and connect more-and-more folks to our local food system. E-mail info@rutlandfarmandfood.org or visit 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. Th is year, we nearly doubled the amount of healthy, locally-grown food that was collected through donations and gleaning eff orts. Th rough 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.

Th e 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. Th ere 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!

Questions about the Grow-a-Row program? Interested in starting Grow-a-Row in your town? Contact Garland Mason, Local-Link Coordinator, at masong@greenmtn.edu or (802) 287 - 2940.

Over 17,500 pounds of fresh, healthy produce

collected and distributed to local families!

RAFFL is pleased to announce that we are the recent recipient of the following grants and major donations:

• 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’ confi dence in our programs and commitment to our mission. Th eir support makes our work possible!

Support RAFFL!Th is 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!

DECEMBER GRANTS & DONATIONS - THANK YOU!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIELD• 17,500 pounds of fresh produce donated• over 50 diff erent 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 non-profi ts received donated produce!!

FARMER RESOURCE FAIR & FARMERS GATHERING Join RAFFL, Green Mountain College, and Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District on March 22 for our annual Farmer Resource Fair and Gathering. Th rough 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!

Th is 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! Th e 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 pmWhere: 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 Highfi elds 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 FairAgricultural organizations and service providers will have displays set up and staff on hand to educate you about their programs and how they can benefi t your farm

7:00 - 9:00pm Farmers GatheringA community meal sourced from local farms, followed by a presentation by Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustain-able 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, NOFA-VT, VT Economic Development Author-ity, 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-WORKPLACECOMING SOON!

Th e 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 fl ip through!• More extensive farm and CSA listings • New recipes, articles, and farmer profi les!

Back by popular demand, RAFFL is again coordinating its Farm-to-Workplace Delivery, helping to connect Rutland’s workforce with farm-fresh food. Th is year, we’re partnering with Champlain Orchards, Wood’s Market Garden, Boardman Hill Farm, and Dutchess Farm to off er 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

UPCOMING EVENTS

MarchMarch 7 RAFFL New Farmer Mixer7 - 9pm Roots Restaurant51 Wales Street • Rutland, VermontCatch up with friends and meet other new farmers in the Region. Light appetizers provided.

March 19-20 10th Annual Vermont Maple Open HouseAll weekend, statwideCelebrate 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 Fair1 - 7pm Green Mountain College Poultney, VermontDiscuss 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 Dinner7 - 9pm Green Mountain CollegePoultney, VermontEnjoy 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 Swap4:30 - 6:30pm Rutland Free Library10 Court Street • Rutland, VermontDiscuss all things garden-related and learn about community garden opportunities and RAFFL’s Grow-a-Row program.

AprilApril 17 “Sunday Sprouting” Community Celebration11am - 3:30pm Green Mountain College - Th e Gorge Poultney, VermontCelebrate the coming spring with music, a sandwich potluck, and silent auction of farm-inspired textiles by artist and GMC student Jason Jansen!

OngoingRutland Winter Farmers MarketSaturdays (through April 6)10am - 2pm Old Strand Th eaterRutland, VermontStock 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 EnrollmentNow 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.

RUTLAND AREA FARM AND FOOD LINK

Tara Kelly, Exec. DirectorLindsey ArbuckleJill Perry Balzano

India Burnett FarmerGarland MasonMike RaymondKristin Smith

Board MembersPhilip Ackerman-Leist

Julie Barber Greg Cox

Mike HornerWendy Leff elJohn PollardMarli Rupe

Th eresa SnowCarol Tashie

Eleanor Tison

Th ank 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 BaderDennis Duhaime

Jessica EstesChris LittlerPhilip PicotteEthan Wallett

Want to see your event here or on RAFFL’s website? E-mail details to kris@rutlandfarmandfood.org