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New Farmer Initiative
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Green Mountain Food Hub
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Grow the Longest Extra Row
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This past spring, farmers and home gardeners in the Rutland Region pledged to grow a little extra food for community members in need. Over 6,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce was collected and distributed to 14 area food shelves and meal programs for people in need of food assistance including The Community Cupboard, BROC, The Women’sShelter, Dismas House, Fair Haven Concerned, Bardwell House, The Mission, Serenity House, Grace House, Rutland County Parent Child Center, Turning Point, The West Rutland Food Shelf, The Poultney Food Shelf and Saltis House.

Produce was collected at area Farmers' Markets, stored in Thomas Dairy's coolers over the weekend, and delivered to drop off locations the following Monday. Meadow Squier coordinated the program and the many volunteers essential to each step of this process.

The Community Gardens in Rutland also played in important role. There were three plots planted this season specifically for the Grow the Longest Extra Row effort. There were drop-offs at the gardens for other community gardeners to drop off extra produce. This important part of Grow the Longest Extra Row was made possible through the efforst of Steve Eddy, RAFFL board member. Steve picked up the produce daily and brought it directly to area social service centers. Thank you to Steve and to all participating community gardeners.

Many home gardeners grew a little extra this year. Please join them and plan now for an extra row in your own garden next spring. The following farms were also essential partners in this effort: Ayers Farm, Boardman Hill Farm, Brown's Orchard, Cerridwen Farm, Clark Farm and Maple Country kitchen, Dutchess Farm, Foggy meadow farm, Grabowski Farm, Hand to Mouth Farm, J&S Davis farm, Picture Perfect Farm, Ralph Williams, Ritchie Kniffin, Right Mind Farm, Riverside Farm, Rutland Middle School, Singing Cedars Farm, Smokey House, Sunrise Hill Farm, Terre Bonne Farm, Northwest Elementary, Rutland Intermediate School.

This effort is a partnership between RAFFL, the Vermont Foodbank Gleaning Program, area agencies, and local farms. Contact us to participate next season!