The Friends for  the Horticulture Farm generously provided seed money for the  1996 growing season, but at this time students realized that they  needed to work with an economic model that could consistently provide  working income for the farm. They decided to use the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or subscription farm model where customers  pay a set amount up-front and then receive a share of vegetables  throughout the summer.

It was also decided that the Chittenden Emergence Food Shelf and UVM  Food Salvage would receive half of the produce, and that our cliental  would be from the on-campus community to minimize our competition with  other farmers in the area and the Intervale CSA in Burlington. The  Intervale Community Farm heartily supported our efforts. We developed  this sensitivity because we recognized the economic advantage we have  by being a part of UVM. Our marketing brochure’s focus was on  supporting hands-on ag education, and students focused on Deans and  Chairs in the College of Agriculture as their clientele.

Bryan Connolly, a Botany student, was the farm manger for the 1996  growing season with some help from Josh Toney (College of Art’s and  Sciences) and Lori Porciello. A delivered share of vegetables cost $80.  We targeted 5-10 shareholders and had seven. Bryan grew some  interesting heirloom varieties at the farm, some that he in was in the  process of breeding. The UVM Trek group visited to learn about growing  vegetables, and they helped with weeding and harvesting.