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April, 2005
Dear Members and Friends of PFP,
Welcome to the 2005 season at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project!
We've started up the greenhouse, which means it’s also time to…
- Renew your PFP membership, if you haven’t already. Members can sign up to participate in the CSA for the full season, or just for the summer or fall portion of the year. We invite those who would like to support the work of the PFP but aren’t interested in or able to pick up vegetables each week to sign up as supporting members. A membership form is enclosed. Final payments are due by June 1, 2005. Please call the farm number if you have financial need and are interested in a payment plan. If you have any questions about your current membership status, please contact membership coordinators Ed and Susan Lynch at Member.ship.farm@xoxy.net or 452-2483.
- Share with your friends and neighbors that we have memberships available and will host an Open house on Saturday, May 7, 1-4 pm, (rain date Tuesday, May 10, 4-7pm). We have also enclosed brochures for you to pass on to interested folks.
- Save the date! Member orientation will be Saturday, May 14, 9-11am, (rain date Sunday, May 15, 1-3pm). This is an important day to get this years updates on the PFP and the CSA, find out about ways to help in the work of PFP, get a tour of the farm, and meet the 2005 PFP community.
- Anticipate opportunities to eat fresh vegetables, meet friendly neighbors, experience the soft soil, fresh air and living landscape of the farm, and be part of the PFP’s mission of working towards a just and sustainable food system in Poughkeepsie and beyond!
We are very excited about the upcoming year! We are planning a great season for the CSA and education and food justice programs, including:
- Six months of fresh vegetables for CSA members, grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers and using soil enhancing methods such as use of compost, cover crops, and crop rotation.
- An exciting CSA distribution time with opportunities for members to visit the meditation garden; harvest pick-your-own crops like flowers, berries and beans; buy other local products such as Wild Hives bread, Sprout Creek cheese and Green Teen’s youth-made product; gather ideas and recipes for cooking great food; pick up our biweekly newsletter; meet new neighbors and friends; visit the PFP library; and more.
- Sponsorship of the City of Poughkeepsie Farmers Market to help improve access to fresh, healthy food right in the heart of the city at Mural Park near the corner of Main and Market Streets. The market will be on Fridays from 10am–3pm starting in June and will include PFP, Breezy Hill Orchard, the Rogowski Farm, Bread Alone, and other local products.
- Donation of at least 10% of our produce to people in need through Dutchess Outreach, Hudson River Housing, and Grace Smith House.
- Increased participation and support for our sponsored share program which helps low income members of the community participate in the CSA.
- Our internship program, which trains and inspires future farmers, educators, and community activists in the work of building a sustainable food system.
- Collaboration with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Green Teen Program in providing youth education activities for Poughkeepsie and Beacon high school students on the farm this summer. Also, we are planning a second season of Youth Week, afternoon workshops on food and farming, with junior high age youth.
- Our educational tours and open houses which provide an opportunity for students and community members to come to the farm to learn about food, farming, and CSA.
Launching a fundraising initiative focused on building staff and resources to enhance our food justice and educational programs - the cornerstone of our not-for-profit work. Expenses to cover this year include expanded youth education programming, food donations to local charities (which amounted to 15,000 lb of produce last year), as well as a much needed new tractor.
- Fun events including the member orientation, youth events, potlucks, our annual fundraising concert, and times for volunteers to help out on the farm.
Looking forward to a great year of delicious food, inspiring work, and wonderful community!
Yours, Wendy and Asher
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