The Vermont Land Trust, in partnership with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) and ShiftMeals, is expanding food production at Bluffside Farm in Newport. An acre of land on the shore of Lake Memphremagog will be used to grow vegetables for anyone in need and host a new community garden.
Bluffside Farm is owned by the Vermont Land Trust and typically serves as a community hub for recreation and farming. Each year, a VYCC youth crew grows vegetables there as part of the Health Care Share Program at North County Hospital, providing fresh produce to families facing food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the youth crew from working the land this year, but the farm continues as a pickup site for the program.
“Like many organizations, COVID-19 threw us a curve-ball,” said Tracy Zschau, vice president for land conservation at the Vermont Land Trust. “Rather than let the land at Bluffside Farm sit fallow, we put our heads together with VYCC and ShiftMeals to grow a more limited selection of crops and open up part of the farm for a new community garden.”
ShiftMeals, launched in late March to address food needs during the economic crisis, has provided 40,000 free meals and launched seven community gardens statewide, including at Bluffside Farm.
“These gardens are being planted to empower folks who are experiencing unemployment, food insecurity, or social isolation, to grow food for themselves and their neighbors,” said Jean Hamilton, a ShiftMeals leader. “While COVID is bringing many challenges to our communities, we are also seeing new opportunities to empower communities to nourish themselves through collaboration and collective action.”
Organizers are seeking a local farmer coach to coordinate the garden and volunteers willing to commit five to eight hours per week. In exchange, gardeners receive fresh produce. Two open houses will be held at the farm on July 2 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Originally reported by Newport Dispatch.
Photo: Joe Cox via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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