​We feel lucky to be part of an amazing community here in Eastern Dutchess County. One of our amazing neighbors is Rock Steady Farm in Millerton, NY.
 
They grow mixed vegetables and flowers with similar farming practices to ours. It’s so nice to have folks to commiserate with about the weather and pests with! Like us, they are also working to make the food they grow more accessible.
 
It is their third year running this social justice initiative and through fundraising efforts have been able to provide food for a total of 25 families in our community who otherwise could not afford to eat fresh vegetables. These 25 families are in addition to the 80 reached through a strong partnership with the North East Community Center's Fresh Food Pantry Program as well as subsidized shares for the most at risk patients at Callen-Lorde's LGBTQ Health Center, in Manhattan. Their goal for 2018 is to raise $20,000. Thanks to their fiscal sponsor, The Watershed Center, all donations are 100% tax deductible.
 
Maggie would be happy to discuss the program more on the phone or in person if you are interested- (917) 864 6198 Veggies@RockSteadyFarm.com.
 
To donate visit Rock Steady's fiscal sponsor’s online payment page HERE or mail a check made out to The Watershed Center with “Low-Income CSA” in the memo. Mail to 41 Kaye Rd, Millerton NY, 12546.

WHY YOUR DONATION MATTERS
50% of children in the areas we serve are food insecure.  
According to the 2015 Census, 1 in every 10 Dutchess County and Columbia County individuals are food insecure. The USDA considers people food insecure when, during a year, they are uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their family members because they had insufficient money for food. 50% of the same population’s school age children qualify for free or reduced cost lunch. Given the choice to fill kids bellies with cheaper fattening food or chose vegetables, often parents and guardians chose the former, putting children at risk of malnutrition and diet-related illness such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.  These diet related conditions make education, steady work, and life opportunities that enable people to leave poverty difficult.


 

​Rock Steady Farm believes that all people have the right to healthy and nutritious food. For people in our local rural community, with few options for fresh produce, we are a proven asset. With our fundraising efforts in 2017 we made it possible for 73 low-income adults and children to eat our produce, delivered weekly directly to their homes, between June and November. We are redirecting 5,500 pounds of fantastic tasting, nutrient dense produce that normally goes to high-end restaurants and farmers market to feed those who truly need our support.
 
Donate today to help address food access and nutrition in your community! Rural townships, such as Ancramdale where the majority of our low-income CSA members live, has the highest poverty and food insecurity rates in Columbia County, where over 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced cost lunch, according to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's Healthy Food Access Study. Often times, issues of nutrition in rural areas are ignored by weekenders who are disconnected from the local year-round community they live next to. Our farm loves our ability to feed the entire income range of people in our county. Our low-income CSA fund helps connect our farm’s more financially secure community members to other people in the same county who otherwise might feel invisible.

As you may have noticed, the Maitri Farm crew skews younger than the average American farmer. Most of us are first generation farmers (we don't come from farming families). And we're part of a bigger trend of young people choosing farming careers. In rural places it can be hard to tell, but there are whole bunch of us. 

The National Young Farmers Coalition put out a report on what the biggest needs of young farmers are and it is worth checking out. They surveyed 3,517 young farmers all over the country in Building A Future With Farmers II. A lot of the trends in this report, also describe the Maitri crew. If you're curious about what the future of agriculture looks like, this is a great place to start. 

We're really lucky that the National Young Farmers is based out of Hudson, NY. The Hudson Valley is definitely a hot spot for young farmers. Our local chapter is the Hudson Valley Young Farmers Coalition. It's heartening to know we're not the only ones.