Growing Food is important work, but at Brix Bounty Farm we strive to make contributions beyond the food we grow for our community. We are blessed to be involved with a number of terrific initiatives working to improve local food security and contribute to the sustainability of our region. Here are just a few of the organizations and networks which we are a part of:
Sharing the Harvest Community Farm – Dartmouth YMCA: 2010 will be the 5th growing season for Sharing the Harvest. When we moved to the Southcoast I served as the farm manager for 2008 season; I continue to stay involved with Sharing the Harvest through participation in their Farm Committee. If you haven’t visited the Dartmouth Y Farm, I highly encourage a visit. In 2009, they hosted more than 2000 community volunteers, who helped plant, cultivate, and harvest fresh produce that is donated to local hunger relief efforts. The Y also runs a successful summer camp, which includes an optional farm specialty camp. Their Volunteer Hours for the 2010 season are: Wednesdays and Saturdays 9AM-Noon, Thursdays 2:30PM-5:00PM (Mar-June,Sept-Oct), and Thursdays 10AM-Noon (July,August)
Fall River Public Schools – Watson Elementary School
In October, 2009 we began working with the Watson Elementary School to further develop their school garden and programming related to their garden. Our primary efforts to date include leading an afterschool program through the past fall and winter and assisting with spring and summer programming efforts.
Southeastern Massachusetts Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL): coming soon… a Southcoast Energy Challenge along the lines of the MN Energy Challenge and the Cool Capital Challenge. They’ve targeted a late April launch of this important campaign to encourage our community to reduce our carbon emissions. I have recently joined their board of directors and am excited to join a terrific group of individuals and organizations focusing on enviro and sustainable education. Last year they produced a great video for the Climate Change Challenge along with 3rd Eye Unlimited, which they have been using in presentations at local schools.
Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability
We are involved with the Food & Agriculture working group for the SE Mass. Council on Sustainability. Previous working group meeting notes can be found on the Food & Ag Forum section of the Council Website. Current efforts of the working group include a focus on development of a foodshed analysis for Southeastern Massachusetts.
Southcoast Community Gardens Coalition:
Join us for the next scheduled Southcoast Community Gardens Coalition meeting on Wed. Apr. 7th, 2010 at Noon at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House&Garden Museum (we meet in the Coachman’s House – entrance off 7th St.) in New Bedford. For details please call the farm or email derek. The Southcoast Community Gardens Coalition has a small pool of funding available to assist you with soil testing in your community garden. Call the farm, 508-992-1868 for details. For reference: Community Garden Visioning Session Oct 2008 and our most recent Community Gardens Coalition Notes Feb 3 2010.
UMass Dartmouth Office of Campus and Community Sustainabilty