NEWPORT, Bluffside Farm, a community hub on the shores of Lake Memphremagog, is increasing food production and access for Northeast Kingdom residents this summer through a partnership involving the Vermont Land Trust, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC), and ShiftMeals.
Ordinarily, a VYCC youth crew works the farm as part of the Health Care Share Program at North Country Hospital, supplying fresh produce and nutrition education to families facing food insecurity. COVID-19 prevented the crew from farming this year, but the farm continues as a pick-up site for that program.
“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,” said Tracy Zschau, vice president for land conservation at the Vermont Land Trust.
ShiftMeals, launched in late March as a local food response to the pandemic, has provided 40,000 free meals and helped launch seven community gardens statewide, including the one at Bluffside Farm. The garden aims to empower people experiencing unemployment, food insecurity, or social isolation to grow food for themselves and neighbors.
“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,” said Jean Hamilton, a ShiftMeals leader.
ShiftMeals and the Vermont Land Trust are seeking a local farmer coach to coordinate the garden, plus volunteers willing to commit five to eight hours per week. In exchange, volunteers receive a share of the produce. Two open houses will be held at Bluffside Farm on July 2, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Information and volunteer sign-up is at shiftmeals.org/join-our-grow-team.
Photo: Markus Winkler via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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