Students started the 2001 season with a goal to increase their vegetable donations to over 8000 #. Adam Wheeler (PSS) was democratically elected as the Farm Manager. Guy Burgess (PSS), Matt Leonetti (PSS), and Liz Patterson (SNR) were Full-Time Farm workers, while Yarrow Collins (PSS) and Ellen Dizza,(PSS) were Part-Time Farm workers. Buddy Tignor advised the club over the summer helping students buy drip irrigation parts and helping with the harvest too. There were two share options: $150 for 15 weeks or an extended share of $180 for 18 week. Students sold 36 shares and 3 of these were bought specifically to be donated directly to food-shelves for hungry people.
Students were able to far surpass this year’s donation goal by expanding acreage, and working with researchers at the farm by trading labor for crops to donate. The food donation was 19,554 pounds of vegetables, and apples, tomatoes and potatoes from research plots. This donation is our largest one in our 7 years of production. Congratulations to our student farmers.
September was a busy month for Common Ground as it participated in several activities this year. We were part of a Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) field days. Students gave a tours for the Master Gardeners, Friends of Horticulture Farm and interested guests and 30 Environmental Science first year students. Underhill elementary school 5-6 graders visited the farm as well. These excited students left with gourds and veggies.
