Richmond Area Business Association

A dynamic collaboration between the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps of Richmond and Maple Wind Farm of Huntington has formed The Monitor Barns Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Together, the partners combine the conservation and education mission of the VYCC and the experience and high-quality food production of Maple Wind.

The partners’ shared passion around youth, education – and the importance of making good, healthy food available to every Vermonter – guides their work. Upon harvest, local families, area schools, food shelves, VYCC crews, and the Our Community Cares Summer Camp will all receive farm-fresh and locally grown food from the five acres under production at the West Monitor Barn on Route 2. With a goal of distributing more than 150,000 pounds of fresh produce to local schools and area food shelves, the partners believe their collaboration will make fresh produce available to Vermonters of all income levels while teaching youth valuable skills and stewardship of the land through sustainable agricultural practices.

The Community Supported Agriculture model provides members with fresh food directly from their local farmer each week of the growing season, 20 weeks from June through October. Members pay an annual fee prior to the growing season, thus providing the farm upfront income to purchase seeds, compost, labor and necessary infrastructure. There are an increased number of CSAs in Vermont and with the localvore movement gaining momentum; it is easier than ever to connect with where your food comes from and to have a relationship with the people who grow it. The Monitor Barns CSA is particularly compelling because it strengthens and fosters community while providing food for those in need.

Selling the membership shares allows for the additional vegetables grown in the field to be distributed to neighbors in need. One example is the partnership with Our Community Cares Camp in Richmond, a camp that serves approximately 40 campers per week for the month of July with a healthy breakfast and lunch. Most campers are on free and reduced meal plans during the school year but are often hungry without this service during the summer. Enrolled campers will not only learn how to cook with the food provided by the Monitor Barns Farm during camp, but will bring home a bag of fresh vegetables to share with their families.

For people with their own gardens and with enough vegetables for the season, purchasing a vegetable CSA share or a pasture-raised chicken to donate to either a local food shelf or the Our Community Cares Camp is a great way to support the community at large. The Monitor Barns CSA is a wonderful opportunity to spend your local dollars wisely and get delicious food for your family’s table and share with others in your community the same healthy benefits.

For more information, please contact Beth Whiting, Maple Wind Farm, at 434.7257 or Amanda Payne, VYCC Farm Coordinator at 434.3969 x145.