FRESH Through the Years
THE F.R.E.S.H. FARM
“Eating is an agricultural act”- Wendell Berry
We are all part of agriculture, as eaters and consumers if not farmers and producers. It is very positive when we become empowered as eaters, and seek to make dietary choices that are good for ourselves, the natural world and our local economy. Also empowering is the reclamation of our ability to produce food for ourselves and others.
At FRESH, we see growing food as a dynamic tool and metaphor for learning critical thinking & problem solving; the power of our ideas and the work of our hands to make change. And if we can effect change in the food system then we can be agents of change throughout society! The great beauty of teaching through agriculture… at the end of the day, we harvest an abundance of the healthiest food available anywhere!
Since 2005 we have distributed 30,000 pounds of produce to agencies and individuals. The majority of this food has been grown at the FRESH Farm, established in 2006 at the Waterford Country School (WCS). Outlets for the produce include the Mobile Market (~60%), donations to soup kitchens and emergency food providers (~30%) and at farmer’s markets for full retail value. We have taken the “Farmer’s Pledge” with Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) and are dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices.
Our Farm consists of one-acre of intensive fruits and vegetables, an irrigation pond, a 1000 square foot three season greenhouse and a 1000 square foot Harvest Barn and outdoor classroom. It is situated on the 300 acre campus of WCS in Waterford, Connecticut, 5 miles (10 minutes) from down-town New London and is nestled amongst their established Experiential Learning Center and therapeutic livetock operation.
Practical and productive agriculture provides a foundation for our programs and an engine for our enterprises. We are developing capacity by training partners and ourselves, youth and adults- as well as building physical infrastructure- so we can promote and support creativity and initiative in the fields of sustainable local agriculture, community food security and health, food justice and local food-based entrepreneurship.