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It's truly a time of growth here at FRESH. We're working with our youth to grow seedlings for our annual spring plant sale (May 24! Save the date!) and develop strong leadership skills. Through our farm-to-school initiative, we're reaching out to diverse constituencies -- farmers, educators, families. We're also working with a new VISTA to improve FRESH's youth programs and organizational practices.Want to see all this growth for yourself? We've got plenty going on each Saturday morning at our farm. We can always use your extra hands (and smiles!) to bring more healthy food into the community. |
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In this issue:
- Spring crew grows plants, knowledge with local teens
- Introducing Rachel, FRESH's new Americorps member
- Farm-to-school update
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| FRESH youth crew members used their school vacation week to learn about food justice at the FRESH Farm at the Waterford Country School. Here some are getting soil ready for planting, while others visit with the farm's livestock. |
| | Planting the seeds of a fairer food system |
| | After an intensive introduction to the food system over their spring break week, the spring crew is off and running. We have 16 youth with us for the next month, learning about power, opportunity and justice in the food system. They'll gain experience and skills to grow and prepare healthy food on our farm. We're looking forward to seeing their development as young leaders and advocates for a productive and beautiful food system here in New London! |
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| | What rhymes with power? Stanley, a junior staff member, wrote a rap about his experience with FRESH. Watch on our site! |
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| | | Introducing Rachel Cermak, our 2014-15 Americorps VISTA member |
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| Rachel is a national service volunteer who came to us earlier this month, after graduating from the Evergreen State College in Washington State. They are so excited to be working with the amazing youth and adults at FRESH, and strongly believe that youth are vital leaders in the growing food justice movement. Rachel loves poetry, guitar, writing, museums, bad dancing, and cats. Rachel's service year at FRESH is part of a dual placement with the Connecticut Food Justice Youth Corps, a VISTA project in its second year. The project has VISTAs at FRESH and several other sites throughout the state collaborate to improve food justice programming and education for youth by sharing ideas, best practices and curriculum. While it's still their first week, Rachel has already begun observing youth program sessions and evaluating existing curriculum with youth and adults. Rachel's VISTA service ends in April 2015. After service, Rachel plans to move back to the Pacific Northwest, hang out with awesome queer youth and continue to work in food justice. |
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Your donation to FRESH supports sustainable agriculture, youth development, and a fairer food system for all! Make checks out to FRESH/TSNE, 90 Garfield Ave., Box 285, New London, CT, 06320 or donate using Paypal/credit cards at our website. Thank you for all your support! |
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| Farm-to-school leaders, back from conference, plan productive year |
| Farm-to-School project leaders attended the national Farm-to-Cafeteria conference in Austin, Texas, joining 1,100 others in learning about similar projects throughout the country. FRESH Farm-to-School Coordinator Alicia McAvay and Ledge Light Health District Farm-to-School Program Lead Cindy Barry learned so much in their week away. They brought back examples of innovative ways others have increased the amount of locally grown food in schools, supported school gardens through hands-on learning, and connected farmers, schools and communities. Their attendance at the conference was funded through the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. We are thankful for their support. |
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| For those interested in getting involved in the farm-to-school effort in the county, the first Farm to School Advisory Council meeting is set for Tuesday, May 20 in Norwich. The advisory council will meet quarterly thereafter. The advisory council, which supports the work of the Farm Fresh New London County Schools Initiative, will discuss ways to address the barriers to buying and selling local foods in schools. They will also discuss project ideas to drum up student interest in local produce and community interest in farm-to-school work. Farmers, educators, families and others interested in the initiative are asked to email FRESH for more information about the Farm-to-School project and to join the email list. |
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