March 2019
PITNEY MEADOWS MONTHLY CONNECTOR
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AROUND THE SILO: A COMMUNITY FORUM
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It’s time to go back to our Community to share our progress and invite your further input
. Founded as a non-profit in 2016 after the 166-acre farmland was purchased to be protected in perpetuity as conserved agricultural lands, the Pitney Meadows Community Farm Board has been hard at work forging a strategic plan, programs and partnerships inspired by our first Community Forum in 2017.
The Board will introduce you to our new staff and our 2019 plans for farming the land, as well as ask for community feedback about the proposed trail plan for the property and introduce the phase three expansion of the Community Gardens.
“It’s time to go back to our constituents and say, ‘is this the plan you want for your Farm? Are these the classes and programs you want? Are the plans for our recreational trails what you envisioned.....
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PLAN TO DEVELOP TRAIL NEARS GROUNDBREAKING
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The Pitney Meadows Trails Team has had many meetings with various stakeholders to begin discussing our trails and recreation plan for the Farm. We have had six separate meetings for stakeholders on the trail design so far. Our Trails Committee consists of our trails committee (over 16 members), government officials and planners from the City and the County, school cross country coaches, neighbors of the Farm, members of other local recreation groups, bike, horse and running enthusiasts as well as others. Our Trails Committee is spearheaded by our Pitney Meadows Community Farm board member,
Peter Goutos, Chair Trails Committee. Peter is a local environmental engineer with a long history of supporting trail development and recreation efforts in our community.
Kim London
, a founding board member and coordinator of the Farm's strategic plan is coordinating the integration of the trail program with the planned farming and educational initiatives.
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SARATOGA ROTARIANS GIVE KIDS ON THE FARM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO LEARN AND EXPLORE
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The
Saratoga Springs Rotary Club
presented the Farm with a generous grant of $1918.60 to outfit our new Children’s Greenhouse coming this Spring. Thanks to the Rotary members, children enjoying classes and programs on the Farm will have tools and equipment to create, seed, plant, and much more!
Our new Children's Greenhouse which was made possible by the
Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust
will be constructed in the coming month and will house our educational programming for children and families.
We are grateful to our community members who continuously step forward to help us build a community farm for all.
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PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: DR. RENEE RODRIGUEZ-GOODMOTE OF SARATOGA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
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We have launched an exciting new new partnership with
Saratoga
Community Health Center
. Our farmer, Aliza, is co-teaching a Horitculture Therapy Program along with Dr. Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote of CHC. The program aims to use seeds and seedlings as an allegory for healthcare and healthy relationships. Participants in the program will plant seeds and have the opportunity to take them home or move them to the center's gardens out back or to the CHC Community Garden plot at
the Farm
. Patients will also have access to the CHC van 2-3x weekly to take them to the Farm.
Read our interview with Dr. Rodriguez-Goodemote about the importance of this project and the natural mission alignment between the Farm and the Community Health Center.
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How does a variety of fresh produce, hand selected by you, for $25/week sound?
Announcing our very first Pick-Your-Own CSA at Pitney Meadows Community Farm! Enjoy getting out in the fields, getting dirty, contributing to your local farm and economy, harvesting with neighbors, and eating fresh, delicious produce all summer long!
Check out all the information on our site and be sure to SIGN UP TODAY for your season-long share before they go! Limited spots available for this first season. Please pass along!
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Our gardeners are getting excited! Thanks to Mayra and her family for tagging us on facebook in this photo of their seedlings sprouting! We'd love to see more, so please take a pic and tag us on
facebook or
instagram.
Spring is here and we have plenty of opportunities for gardeners to be in-the-know!
- Our 2nd annual Community Forum on March 31st (see registration below) is a great way to learn about the community gardens and programs.
- Volunteer Opportunities! We have work days scheduled for April 6 and 13 for bed building and spring cleanup. For more information and to register click here.
- Our first mandatory meeting for community gardeners is scheduled for May 7th from 6 to 7 p.m. at our office at 112 Spring Street (lower level conference room).
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REGISTER NOW FOR OUR COMMUNITY FORUM
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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Whether your interests are trails, farming, art, farm to table, events, history, preservation, family activities or food justice, there is something for everyone at the Farm. Please bring your ideas, creativity, resources, and community spirit to our Community Forum!
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Stay Tuned Each Month for More Updates!
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Our Farm restoration, programming, activities, and recreational opportunities depend on the generous support of our community. Please consider becoming a supporter today.
Learn more.
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