Common Ground was featured in the winter 1998 issue of the Vermont Quarterly, UVM’s alumni magazine. President Judith Ramaley’s inauguration speech spoke of building UVM as a “Virtuous University” as “a place where learning has visible consequences and where we are connected to each other in humane relationships.” Common Ground was one of the ten examples where virtuous university was happening at UVM.
In January of 1998, Common Ground decided to ask to be recognized as an University club by the student government (SGA). This change would allow us to receive funding from SGA, which we felt was needed to support our club commitment of growing 50% of our vegetables for donations to anti-hunger organizations. SGA accepted Common Ground as a club, we wrote our constitution, by-laws, mission statement, and other materials plus a budget.
In 1998, Eric Wells (ENSC and PSS) and Christina Fabrey (PSS) were Co-Farm Managers of Common Ground, Nate Smith (BOT) was the Intern. Students in 1998 worked to continue develop accurate planning, to grow vegetables of the highest quality, to keep sound records. They also wanted to increase produce is donated to the needy to closer to 50% our club commitment. The cost of a share was $120 and the farm had 16 shareholders. Donations to the Chittenden Co. Emergency Foodshelf and Salvation Army Soup Kitchen increase with the total being 1519 lbs! A huge increase, indeed.
