2000! Dr. Buddy Tignor, Plant  and Soil Science’s new professor in  Vegetables came aboard as an advisor; so we have co-advisor for the  club. His guidance over the summer and the hard work of student farmers  made this the best season ever. Nate Sands took the reins as farmer  supported by Brian Postlewaite (Grad-GEOG), Craig Costion (ENVS),  Yarrow Collins (Nutrition), Brad Kintzer (ENVS) and our apprentice  Julia Moore (ENVS). Farm shares increased to 26, but the price stayed  the same at $150 per share. Goals for the 2000 season were to increase  vegetable quality and donations. Student approximated 5500 # of fresh  organic vegetables were donated to the Chittenden Co. Emergency  Foodshelf and Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.

 Students in cooperation with the Friends of the Horticulture Farm gave  a workshop titled “Vegetable Gardening Workshop for Kids.” Other  visitors included Dr. Ron Sonoda, a professor emeritus in Plant  Pathology at the University of Florida, toured Common Ground as did  Tulio de Melo, an EMBRAPA Vegetable Specialist, from the Ministry of  Agriculture and Food Supply in Brazil. Both raved about the great  opportunity that Common Ground was for our students.

CALS’ Dean John  Bramley, visited the farm in September, after which he made a special  personal contribution to support the farm. Goals for the 2000 season  were to increase donations and improve vegetable quality, improve  farmer communication and increase student participation.