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Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming

Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming in Ithaca, New York provides training and resources to empower learners in building sustainable land-based livelihoods and equitable local food systems. Programs include sustainable farming training, farm business planning, mentor training, and a farm enterprise incubator.

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Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming

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  1. GroundswellCenter for Local Food & Farming A Project of… EcoVillage at Ithaca Center for Sustainability Education Center for Transformative Action, Ithaca, New York Joanna Green joannajgreen@gmail.com June 25, 2012

  2. Groundswell’s Mission… …is to engage diverse learners and empower them with skills, knowledge and access to resources so they can build sustainable land-based livelihoods and equitable local food systems.

  3. Our programs…. provide intensive hands-on training and education for beginning farmers, community members and students involve collaboration with local farms, food businesses, organizations, agencies, schools, and colleges

  4. Our Primary Farm Campuses West Haven Farm at EcoVillage in Ithaca Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg Northland Sheep Dairy in Marathon Sweetland Farm in Trumansburg Kingbird Farm in Berkshire The Good Life Farm in Interlaken

  5. Groundswell Programs • Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming & Food Justice • New Farmer Training Programs • Sustainable Farming Certificate Program • Finger Lakes CRAFT • Farm Business Planning Course • Mentor Training • Farm Enterprise Incubator

  6. Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming & Food Justice • On-farm experience plus classroom & field trips • Tompkins Cortland Community College Environmental Studies: ENVS 149 • 12-14 students • Enrollment options: 6 credits or non-credit • Instructors from local farms, organizations, colleges & businesses

  7. New Farmer Training Goal Increase the number, diversity, profitability, and environmental sustainability of beginning farmers in our region.

  8. NFTP Vision We are creating an integrated, multicultural social and economic support network for beginning farmers and market gardeners, one that brings together people from different economic backgrounds and cultures to learn from one another and to strengthen our local food system.

  9. Finger Lakes CRAFT Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training *

  10. CRAFT Elements • 7 Mentor Farms • Member Farms • Farm Interns • Beginning Farmers • Aspiring Farmers 7 farm tours, potluck gatherings

  11. Sustainable Farming Certificate Program • 50 Core hours, including 7 CRAFT farm tours • 34 Elective hours • 16 hours of supervised on-farm work experience First year target: 12 trainees actual: 24 trainees April – November, 100 hours

  12. Farm Business Planning Course • January through April, launched 2012 • 8 sessions, 24 hours classroom plus homework • Partners: • Alternatives Federal Credit Union Business Cents Program • Cornell Cooperative Extension 2012 Target: 6 trainees Actual: 17 trainees

  13. Mentor Training Farmer to farmer mentor training and support

  14. Farm Enterprise Incubator • Affordable access to land, infrastructure, and mentoring • 10+ acres at EcoVillage, Town of Ithaca • Fundraising Goal: $45,000 by 2013 For infrastructure: water supply, irrigation, deer fence, hoop house, toilet and wash facilities, and multi-purpose shed

  15. Ingredients for Success - Outstanding Partners Outstanding farmer-educators Tompkins Cortland Community College Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County Cornell University faculty and students Ithaca College faculty and students USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Park Foundation Alternatives Credit Union Individual and business supporters

  16. Program Revenues • Summer Practicum Tuition $250 - $850 per student • Certificate Program Tuition $125 - $800 per trainee, sliding scale • Farm Business Planning Tuition $50 - $300 per trainee, sliding scale • Finger Lakes CRAFT Membership $25 - $50 per trainee

  17. Current Staffing • Director ½ FTE • New Farmer Training Coordinator ½ FTE • Incubator Development Coordinator½ FTE • Administrative Assistant ½ FTE • Mentor farmers and other instructors are paid as contractors

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