We believe growing food is vital,important work. Connecting and strengthening bonds in our community is also essential; at Brix Bounty Farm we strive to make contributions beyond the food we harvest for our community. We are blessed to be involved with an array of terrific initiatives working to improve local food security and adding to the sustainability of our region. Here are just a few of the organizations and networks which we are a part of:
Dartmouth Agricultural Commission
Working to support Dartmouth agriculture; the Dartmouth Agricultural Commission was one of the first Agricultural Commissions formed in the state. We are forever grateful for the efforts and groundwork of past and current members of the ag comm for preserving opportunities for young farmers in our town.
Fall River Public Schools – Watson Elementary School
In October, 2009 we worked with the Watson Elementary School to further develop their school garden and programming related to their garden. Our primary efforts to date included leading an afterschool program through the fall and winter and assisting with spring and summer programming efforts. While not currently working with Fall River Public Schools directly; we currently offering an annual Teacher Training – Starting and Sustaining a School Garden along with Steve Walach from Friends Academy. (scheduled for March 17th, 2012 – see our events page for details)
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Massachusetts
For 30 years NOFA/MASS has been sharing and distributing knowledge to our community. Among their many initiatives are a successful Winter Conference held in January every year and a 3-day Summer Conference held in Amherst every August. In 2011 I joined the NOFAMass Board and relish the opportunity to give back to an organization which has empowered a new generation of organic farmers in our region.
SEMAP – Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership
2012 Twilight Grower Education Series starts April 2nd at Eva’s Garden
SEMAP is a cornerstone of the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Community. Their terrific work includes a great on-line farm guide, workshops for farm seekers, growers, and the general public, & much, much more. In 2012 I’m helping to coordinate a partnership between NOFA/Mass and SEMAP through a USDA Specialty Crops Grant.
Southcoast Community Gardens Coalition:
The Southcoast Community Gardens Coalition has been on a hiatus… For details please call the farm or email derek. For reference: Community Garden Visioning Session Oct 2008 and notes from the Community Gardens Coalition Feb 3 2010 meeting.
Sharing the Harvest Community Farm – Dartmouth YMCA
Please join in supporting Sharing the Harvest by making a donation to their 2012 Appeal.
2012 will be the 7th growing season for Sharing the Harvest. When we moved to the Southcoast I served as the farm manager for 2008 season; and have continue to stay involved with Sharing the Harvest through participation in their Farm Committee and as a consultant. If you haven’t visited the Dartmouth Y Farm, I highly encourage a visit. Every season they host more than 1,500 community volunteers, who help plant, cultivate, and harvest fresh produce which is donated to local hunger relief efforts. The Y also runs a successful summer camp, which includes farm specialty camp sessions.
For a better sense of all the terrific work happening at Sharing the Harvest you can read their Little Sprouts Newsletter, March 2012 and view this terrific Sharing the Harvest Video produced by Y of the USA.
Sharing the Harvest Volunteer Hours for the 2012
(contact Dan at 508 993 3361 ext. 13):
- Mondays 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Tuesdays 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Wednesdays 9:00am – 12:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- Saturdays 9:00am -12:00pm
Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability
Visit the Council website for information about the next upcoming quarterly meeting.
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. While working to address system change through collaboration, The Council on Sustainability hosts quarterly meetings to build networks and exchange ideas throughout the region.
Southeastern Massachusetts Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL)
You can join our region by taking the Southcoast Energy Challenge!
As a SEEAL board member I am excited to connect with a terrific group of individuals and organizations focusing on environmental and sustainable education in Greater New Bedford. Over the past couple of years I’ve focused my board work assisting the development of a Southcoast Conservation Corps.
A couple of years back, SEEAL produced a great video for the Climate Change Challenge along with 3rd Eye Unlimited, which they have been using for presentations at local high schools.
UMass Dartmouth Office of Campus and Community Sustainability
Collaborating with faculty and staff, we are currently developing coursework focusing on agriculture to be offered to undergraduate and graduate students at the UMass Dartmouth campus. This coursework will aim to deepen understanding on local and global food systems while building concrete skills related to food production.