Salvation Farms
Helping us decrease food waste in our community!
-Since 2004-
¤ Pete’s
Greens (PG) ¤ Craftsbury
PG is a diversified organic farm located in Craftsbury. Pete’s
specialty is baby greens, including mesclun mix and spinach.
He has a constant supply of greens in many different stages,
from seedling to full grown plant, from early spring to late
fall. Pete’s market calls for the first cut of the greens
before they are fully grown, though they are still tasty and
nutritious when allowed to grow back a second time or to a more
mature size. This is where Salvation Farms comes in! We harvest
greens that are too large for Pete’s market or greens
that have grown back after the previous cut. Pete occasionally
offers other produce such as melons, squash, zucchini, cucumbers,
and radishes, as well as much needed refrigerated storage space.
We also help PG to donate all year by offering sorting and distribution
of unmarketable stored root crops. Pete’s Greens’
2005 donation total was 4,910 pounds. As of late January 2006
we’ve already begun collecting and donating on behalf
of this farm. Thanks Pete’s Greens!
-Since 2005-
¤ High Mowing
Seeds (HMS) ¤ Wolcott
HMS is an organic seed company located in Wolcott. During their
2005 seed trialing season, HMS grew every variety of seed that
they had sold in their 2005 season catalog. They did this in
a trial garden. A small portion of the trial garden was used
for seed production and cross breeding. Some of the produce
was harvested for taste testing or by the HMS staff for personal
consumption. Much of this trial garden was left for Salvation
Farms to harvest! The HMS trial garden acts as a base for the
company to continue research on developing the highest quality
seed inventory for Northeast growers. Salvations Farms’
harvests occur at HMS throughout July and August and into the
beginning of September, potentially two afternoons each week.
High Mowing Seeds’ 2005 donation total was 7,003 pounds.
In 2006 we look forward to gleaning the trial fields of HMS
and the potential to utilize the company’s new cold storage
facility. Thanks High Mowing Seeds! Visit them at: www.highmowingseeds.com
¤ Wild Branch
Valley Farm (WBVF) ¤ Craftsbury
WBVF located in Craftsbury, consists of an organic market garden,
farm stand, beef herd, and layer birds. Our director is the
co-manager of the farm’s vegetable production. She sorts
unmarketable produce while harvesting as well as culls out produce
from the farm stand, practices that are necessary for consumer
satisfaction. This results in donations for Salvation Farms.
The Wild Branch Valley Farm’s 2005 donation total was
1,032 pounds. In addition to produce, WBVF also offers box storage,
office space, and use of a large diesel van as needed. As seeds
are being started this farm is eager to again participate in
the giving and growth of this community gleaning project. Thanks
Wild Branch Valley Farm!
-Since 2006-
¤ Riverside Farm
(RSF) ¤ Hardwick
RSF is a 17 year old organic farm in East Hardwick with a summer
farm stand. Crops are also stored for sale into the winter months.
The organic vegetable production at RSF occurs on 20 acres.
Riverside Farm has supported a CSA of 20-50 members, large sales
to Hunger MT. Co-op in Montpelier, and sales to Deep Root, an
organic farmers’ distribution cooperative. Conversations
about participation with Salvation Farms have begun with an
excited Riverside employee and resident. We were happy to find
out that RSF already insures a year round supply of local veggies
to the Hardwick Community Dinner; a free community meal served
once a week and one of Salvation Farms 2005 donation sites.
¤ Sandiwood Farm
(SWF) ¤ Wolcott
SWF is a small organic veggie farm in Wolcott. The farm is 16
years old. It has been known for its maple syrup production
and CSA. Sandiwood Farm is scaling down for the 2006 season
expecting little surplus of vegetables but eager to be involved
with this local food security project if thefarm needs it. Presently
the farm seeks an individual or couple interested in creating
a work-trade arrangement for living space with a potential to
create a garden space of their own and marketing options. Look
for the return of both Sandiwood Farm’s maple syrup and
CSA. For more information visit their website: www.maplesyrup@mt-mansfield.com
-Potentially NEW Salvation Farms in
2007-
¤ Surfing Veggie Farm (SVF) ¤
SVF is a 20 year old farm specializing in roots. In the past,
Surfing Veggie Farm has been known for its carrots; Yum! This
crop is labor intensive and the farm has decided to produce
beets, rutabaga, onions, garlic, and winter squash on a scale
comparable to the carrot production. Located in Walden, SVF
harvests occur August through November and crops are often stored
from August to April. The farm offers pick-your-own opportunities
after the main harvest is complete for purchase at less than
market value. You can find SVF produce at the Hardwick Farmers’
Market and during the winter at Buffalo Mt. Co-op in Hardwick.
SVF recently began growing bedding plants for home gardeners
selling them at spring markets. Horses have been used as a tool
for this farm in the past. Presently Surfing Veggie is training
horses for farm use. The farms’ fields are managed through
proper rotation between production, grazing, and sitting fallow
sown with cover crops.
o Foote Brook Farm ~ Johnson
o Chamberlin’s Farm ~ Underhill
o Natural Choice ~ North Troy
o Shelburne Orchards ~ Shelburne
o Sterling College ~ Craftsbury Common
o Bub’s Best ~ Craftsbury
o Home Gardeners
o Harvest Hill Farm ~ Walden
o Hummingbird Farm ~ Morrisville
o Elmore Mountain Bread
o Green Mountain Granola
Salvation Farms humbly appreciates the continued faith and
support of our local farmers. Thank you. Together we can help
feed our neighbors!
Q: What makes this arrangement between farmers and
gleaners work?
A: Gleaners need to be led by individuals competent
in: leading a group, giving directions, setting a good example,
understanding farmers’ limited time, and being prepared
for the array of crops potentially to be gleaned. That’s
a lot! It is best that the leaders have experience in volunteer
management and vegetable farming. It is also beneficial to have
at least one leader that is in association with the farms involved
in the project. The leaders must be able to build trust between
the gleaning group and the farmer. Project leaders are the first
impression a farmer has of gleaners. When working in the field
with volunteers leaders must set clear boundaries for them;
“this is where we glean, we do not go into any other sections
of the farm.” This will be a major factor in the farmer
inviting a gleaning group back to their farm.
If you are interested in initiating a fresh food recovery
project in your area, Salvation Farms has created “A How
To Guide” offering assistance with creating a community-based
gleaning project. If you are interested in a copy please don’t
hesitate to contact us!
