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Empowering diverse learners with skills, knowledge and access to resources in order to build more sustainable land-based livelihoods and equitable local food systems.
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Living Wage & Sustainable Outcomes...
Greetings Groundswell friends, farmers and supporters,
The minimum wage increase signed into law this week by Governor Cuomo is big news for all New York State businesses and employees – including farms. The bill states that there will be an increase in the minimum wage in upstate NY to $12.50 (over five years), while in the rest of the State the wage will increase to $15/hour (click here for more details). While the bill is a major accomplishment in many ways, of course, as with any bill, there are also critiques.
Groundswell seeks to build strong, vibrant communities by promoting sustainable land-based livelihoods. Though it’s not the focus of our efforts, we feel fair wages are a key to these goals; yet, we also know most small-scale sustainable farmers are unable to pay themselves a living wage, let alone their employees. The issues are complex and financially challenging and we are just beginning to explore them in more depth. To begin this effort, we are sharing a brief interview I held with Evangeline Sarat, owner of Sweet Land Farm CSA in Trumansburg. Evangeline began paying her employees a living wage in 2015 and is a Certified Living Wage Employer. Read the full interview on the Groundswell blog here.
I look forward to having conversations with you about living wages and more! Please call or email me anytime.
With thoughts of warmth for your flowering trees and plants,
Elizabeth Gabriel
Director
For the full length version of this article CLICK HERE
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2016 Program Listing
ENROLL NOW!
GRAZING & PASTURE MANAGEMENT SERIES
Technical Course
Mon, April 18 • 5-8pm — It’s All About the Grass • Wellspring Farm, Mecklenberg, NY
$45/session or $280 for all 8 sessions
This eight-part technical course starts from the important details of how pasture management effects growth, works through the details of successful pasture based farms and finishes with how to get your pastured meat processed and marketed.
READ MORE
DRAFT ANIMAL PRACTICUM
Sun, April 24 • 9am - 4pm — Donn's Teamster Training School, Marathon, NY • $175
This popular one-day workshop includes hands-on practice with experienced draft animals under the supervision of knowledgeable teamsters. READ MORE
MANAGING SOILS FOR BETTER CROPS SERIES
Technical Course
Mon, April 27 • 5-8pm — Soil Science 201 for Farmers • Cornell Soil Science Lab, Ithaca, NY
$45/session or $150 for all 4 sessions
Explore practical soil management techniques through lectures, farm visits and guided discussions with fellow farmers.
READ MORE
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It’s time to get out to the farm and get some projects done! We are calling on all of our friends, fans and fellow farmers to come on out and pitch in, learn a new skill, get a little dirty and have some fun! Help us build a hoop house and install fencing! Snacks and drinks will be provided. Sign up in advance (and attend) and you will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Gift Certificate from Home Green Home and a Groundswell T-Shirt!
Due to the nature of the work, we ask that volunteers be age 16+.
MORE INFORMATION • RSVP HERE • FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
Spring Mixer & Plant Swap
Sun, May 22, 2016, 2-6pm
Groundswell Offices, Ithaca, NY
Let’s celebrate Spring and the coming growing season! Join us at our office (225 South Fulton Street) for fun, food by Iron Owl Kitchen, drinks, and great music. We will even have a plant and seed swap to help get your gardens going. Bring some seeds or seedlings to swap and take some home!
RSVP HERE • FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
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SAVE THE DATE - SEPTEMBER 10
Mark your calendars! Join us at Hopshire Farm & Brewery on Saturday, September 10 for our annual pig roast and auction! Thanks to Hopshire for hosting us again!
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Sweetland Farm's Evangeline Sarat talks Living Wages
Sweetland Farm, in Trumansburg, NY has been in operation for 10 years. In 2015 owner/farmer Evangeline Sarat decided to start paying her employees a living wage.Groundswell Director Elizabeth Gabriel sat down with Evangeline to talk about how she came to the decision to offer living wages, and how she is making it work on her farm.
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Program Coordinator
Part-Time, Benefits Eligible
The Program Coordinator will work closely to assist the Groundswell’s Director, Marketing Manager and course coordinators to facilitate primarily the CRAFT program and Homesteading Network tours; however, will also assist with other public programs, courses and events. READ MORE
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