Change is Gonna Come...

Seven years have passed since I first began working with a group of dedicated visionaries to dream up what was to become Groundswell. For me personally it has been the most intensely rewarding –and challenging – period of my 30 or so years of work in sustainable agriculture.

It is now time for me to move on. For well over a year, our staff and Advisory Board have been preparing for the transition to new leadership for Groundswell. In late July we launched a national search process to find my replacement, who will come on board by January 2016. The new Director will be awesome, I’m sure of that! We are all looking forward to new energy, ideas, and skills that will take Groundswell to the next level in our programs, our commitment to equity and inclusion, and our impacts in the food system. 

Applications for the Director Position will be accepted through September 30. For more information and a position description, click HERE.

I am profoundly grateful for the many farmers, aspiring farmers, community members, professionals, business owners, and donors who now make up the Groundswell Community. I plan to thoroughly enjoy my continued participation in this community as a retiree and avid homesteader!

Joanna Green

Director, Groundswell Center

New “Zone 1” at the Incubator Farm

You might have caught some of the pictures earlier this summer: the Incubator Farm has some new infrastructure that will greatly enhance the farmers’ ability to grow beautiful fresh produce.

In permaculture, people often design a growing space based on the "Zones of Use", and the area that is worked in most often, is logically called Zone 1.  This area should be easy to access and have a good flow for working within the other zones of the land.  Unfortunately, the original Zone 1 at the Incubator was . . . Read More

Don’t Miss the 2015 Food Justice Fair!

Sunday, September 20th

Hear how farmers of color are leading the Good Food Movement

Groundswell is pleased to be a cosponsor of the Food Justice Fair in Ithaca, which is organized each year by GreenStar Community Projects. This year the Fair will be held from 1-4 PM on Sunday September 20, in conjunction with the Streets Alive celebration in Ithaca’s southside neighborhood.

We are especially excited to bring author Natasha Bowens to Ithaca to give the keynote address on “The Color of Food: How Farmers of Color are Leading the Good Food Movement.” Bowens’ book The Color of Food recently published by New Society Press, grew out of her own experience as a beginning farmer of color. Read More . . .

Food Citizen News:

A Food Policy Council for Tompkins County

Citizens are encouraged to help shape local food policy

We all eat. A lot of us love to eat local. We care deeply about the food we eat and the farmers who grow it. But most of us tend to ignore an important piece of our food system – the policy piece. That’s in spite of the fact that almost all of our food choices are shaped – and limited - by local, state and national policies.

Many communities are taking food policy into their own hands by creating a Food Policy Council to advise local governments and promote policies that will encourage a more locally-based, sustainable and equitable food system.

About a year ago, concerned citizens got together to start working on creating a Food Policy Council for Ithaca and Tompkins County . . . Read more.

(Image courtesy of: The Food System - Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems Social Issues Team and Elliott Kuhn (graphic artist), 2004.)

Upcoming Programs

Finger Lakes C.R.A.F.T. 

Next Session:
Monday, September 21st 
at Main Street Farm in Homer, NY.

For more information, or to register, please visit our website.

The Finger Lakes Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (C.R.A.F.T.) brings together established and aspiring farmers to share support and information about maintaining a farm business.  This community meets monthly throughout the growing season at one of several CRAFT Mentor Farms to learn about each farm operation, ask lots of questions, share knowledge, and network with each other. 

Each monthly session of the 2015 CRAFT season consists of a 2 hour farm tour, half an hour skill-building workshop, and half an hour potluck dinner.

When: The third Monday of the Month from 5:00 to 8:00 pm

Cost: Groundswell members: $25, Non-members: $40 (More information about Groundswell membership can be found here.)

Homesteaders Network
 

Cayutaville Farm Project

Date: Sunday, August 30th
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 pm

Cayutaville Farm Project is a small, well established organic vegetable, flower, herb and fruit garden project in our 6th year of operation.

It is a 13 acre farm which was the homestead for a small dairy and chicken farm dating back to the 1800’s. The two story red barn still remains. There are several old buildings from the 1920’s which we are finding several uses for. When we purchased the farm in 2005 there were 20 fruit trees, several unkempt flower gardens, plenty of weeds and a spring fed pond. We have planted asparagus, then in 2010 we planted an additional 25 fruit trees . We have also revived and expanded the perennial gardens.

To register, please email becca@groundswellcenter.org

Groundswell's Homesteader Network is a benefit of Groundswell Membership.  For more information about membership, to sign up or renew, please visit www.groundswellcenter.org/membership

Beginning Farmer & Land Seeker Meeting

Tuesday, September 15, 7-9 PM
@ CCE-Tompkins, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
 

Groundswell and the Cornell Cooperative Extension regional agriculture program are hosting a FREE discussion/info meeting for people seeking land to farm on Tuesday, September 15, 7-9 PM at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County office at 615 Willow Ave in Ithaca.

Information about land seeking approaches and options will be discussed.  Cooperative Extension staff will provide details on cash lease arrangements including cash and barter options.  Dan Welch with the Cornell Farmnet program will discuss lease to own and farm transfer arrangements.

The meeting also provides an opportunity for land seekers and beginning farmers to provide feedback on Landlinking and incubator/start up farm business support they need.  Key discussion topics to be explored are:  What land arrangements are you seeking?  What support services and resources are you needing?  What challenges have you experienced in seeking land, support, or needed resources?

Regardless of the stage of your farm business development, this session provides an opportunity to share your needs and learn about options to pursue for successful farm business start-up.  To register email mjc72@cornell.edu or call Cooperative Extension at 607-272-2292.  There is no charge for this workshop.