December 2011

“The apprenticeship at Brookwood has given me a strong foundation of skills and experience to pursue a career in farming. More importantly, it helped me figure out that I love this work and I want to be a farmer.

 ~ 2011 Apprentice, Emma Keough

Dear Friends of Brookwood Community Farm,

Last week, the remaining beets, turnips and carrots were pulled from the farm’s fertile ground. Tools and various farm implements have been cleaned and stored. Members arrived to pick up the season’s last CSA share and thanked our farm crew for another bountiful season of fresh and abundant food. Our minds now turn to next year and the years beyond, always asking ourselves how do we grow the movement so that more enjoy the benefits of local agriculture.

At Brookwood Community Farm we believe that growing the sustainable agriculture movement requires not only a commitment to growing good food, but a commitment to growing the next generation of sustainable farmers and inspiring young people to care about where their food comes from. In 2011 we re-affirmed our commitment to these values by launching a farmer apprenticeship program and expanding farm-based educational opportunities for youth and adults. Through our apprenticeship program, we provide aspiring farmers the opportunity to learn first hand what it takes to operate a sustainable farm.

2011 has marked a turning point in the evolution of Brookwood Community Farm. We have successfully developed many of our farming systems to create a sustainable, financially sound operation that we feel confident will continue to flourish in future years. We expanded our Community Supported Agriculture program to serve over 200 families with spring, summer and fall shares. With these systems in place, we are now well prepared to expand the programs that support our mission.

While farm income effectively covers the operating costs of the farming operation, it does not pay for produce donations to local food pantries or other distribution strategies aimed at expanding food access to low-income communities, for the salaries of our summer youth interns, for the intensive training provided to aspiring farmers through our apprenticeship program, or for the coordination of a growing series of affordable farm to table cooking classes. We are only able to do this work thanks to your generous support.

In 2011, we initiated a new food access program. With our long-time partner, the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, we launched the Good Food Market at the Gallivan public housing complex in Mattapan, inviting residents to fill a grocery bag with just-harvested vegetables and fruits for only $5 per bag. Through this program we reached residents on the northern edge of the neighborhood who are farthest from any full-service grocery stores.

At the close of the growing season, one week before Thanksgiving, we hosted a community forum on how local farms can increase food security at a time of rising levels of poverty and hunger. Toward Food Security for All brought together local experts from a variety of perspectives – farmers, nutritionists, writers and anti-hunger advocates – to share ideas and strategies how local farms and community organizations can work in concert to create not just a local food system but also a just one – where all members of the community are included.

At Brookwood, our vision for the continued development of the land and programs is clear. We are eager to provide more creative solutions to some of the most challenging issues of health, environment and education facing our communities today. Please show your support to ensure that Brookwood Community Farm continues to provide both nourishing food and nourishing educational experiences to an ever-growing farm community. 

On behalf of the board and staff of Brookwood Community Farm, I want to offer our profound thanks for your generous support.
 

Sincerely,

Mark Smith
Board President
 

Help us grow. Make a secure, tax-deductible donation online today.  If your employer matches charitable contributions, please be sure to alert them to your support of Brookwood Community Farm.  Checks made out to Brookwood Community Farm may also be sent to us at 18 Capen St. Milton, MA 02186.