Binnewater Farm Project CSA launched
The
Binnewater Farm Project –Rosendale’s First CSA has Launched!
by Mimi
Quinn
With a huge effort from its core members and a multitude
of volunteers, the Binnewater Farm Project (BFP) will be the first-ever
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the Town of Rosendale. The CSA will be
operating on property they’ve leased from Legacy Farm Cohousing (LFC)—a
nine-owner cooperative located off Binnewater Road in Rosendale.
Dan Guenther with CSA volunteers. |
BFP
President Dimitri Galitzine said, “We’re thrilled that Legacy Farm is able to
contribute to the creation of this CSA, as sustainability is a keystone of our
vision for the cohousing community.”
So how did
this all start?
Galitzine
said, “We asked Dan Guenther, who had helped to develop a number of CSAs
locally, to speak to our group, and we developed the idea of reaching out to
folks not involved in developing cohousing to get the project moving. There was
strong interest in the local community; the project has really taken off.”
According to Galitzine, the lease is for 10 acres
of property (not all of it usable for farming) for one dollar per year. He
stated that LFC plans to cluster their development on approximately six acres
of the total 56 acres and will leave the remaining land open and undeveloped.
The CSA will provide local sustainable food for both LFC and the surrounding
community.
A press
release dated October 18 stated: “Support for BFP has come in many forms. The
group obtained a loan to cover start-up costs from a generous individual who
prefers to remain anonymous; all interest from the loan will be paid out in
donations of produce to the Rosendale Food Pantry.”
The
release also noted that additional support has come from the Bruderhof
Community, who plowed the fields in preparation for cover crop cultivation; and
from the Students for Sustainable Agriculture at SUNY New Paltz, who
participated in farm “work days” by gathering cedar trees to serve as fence
posts and helping to spread manure to improve the soil.
In basic
terms, a CSA is comprised of a community of individuals who pledge support to a
farm operation with the growers, with consumers providing mutual support as
well as sharing the benefits of food production. Typically, members or
“shareholders” of the CSA pledge to cover anticipated costs of the farm operation
and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty
throughout the growing season.
After
putting a “shout-out” for an experienced CSA farmer, Kristen MacDonald was
hired. She is relocating from Massachusetts.
“Kristen
brings seven years of CSA experience in the Northeast and is very excited about
starting up this farm from the ground up,” Galitzine said.
MacDonald
said that she looks forward to meeting the community and seeing the farm
develop.
“I was
really impressed when I learned about the Binnewater Farm Project. To me this
project is inspiring and exciting, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to get
to be a part of this CSA,” she said.
Getting ready for garlic planting. |
The
official launch of the BFP took place on Saturday, October 29, when the SUNY New
Paltz Students for Sustainable Agriculture gathered with BFP volunteers to
plant the farm’s first crop—garlic—which will be harvested next year and
distributed to CSA members as part of their weekly farm share.
The
inauguration was also the start of the promotion for CSA membership for the
2012 growing season. Each share will cost $800 and provide fresh vegetables
sufficient for a family of four over the course of a five-month distribution
period, which breaks down to about $30 per week.
At this
point membership is enthusiastically encouraged and there are many phone
numbers and emails on the CSA site for prospective members to contact to join
the CSA or volunteer, stated Galitzine.
CSA member Emma Kreyche said, “This is really a team
effort. There are so many people who have helped out that are not even part of
the core group. My friend Mark is hosting our website on his server; our friend
Dave lent us his tiller to till the garlic beds; a student from New Paltz is
designing a logo for us...it's really been amazing the way people have rallied
behind this project.”
BFP is also seeking volunteers to help install a new
fence, set up a greenhouse, repair the barns, and help with both farming and
administrative tasks.
To sign up for the CSA, volunteer, or to find out about
meeting times and locations please visit binnewaterfarm.org.
Posted by Chris Hewitt
on 10:25 AM.
Filed under
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