VISTA/FarmShare for Healthy Communities

1. VISTA/FarmShare for Healthy Communities Program proposed and implemented by Time & Tide Resource Conservation and Development Area in conjunction with the USDA

2. Time and Tide RC&D 9 Green St./Room 304 Augusta, ME 04330 Phone: 207-622-7847, ext. 4 Fax: 207-622-626-8196 timetide@me.nrcs.usda.gov

3. Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development Area received official congressional approval on April 12, 1974. There are five RC&Ds providing state-wide coverage throughout Maine.

4. The Time and Tide area covers six counties: • Androscoggin • Kennebec • Knox • Lincoln • Sagadahoc • Waldo

5. Time and Tide’sMission Statement The Time and Tide RC&D Council’s mission is to help people… Develop Care for, and Appreciate their natural resources in a way that will enrich their community and better their lives.

6. Time & Tide RC&D envisioned a program that would implement a partnership between local farmers and local senior citizens by providing a stable market for the farmers’ product while supplying fresh nutritious produce to seniors on fixed and limited incomes. Their grant proposal was successful, enabling the development of the VISTA/Farmshare for Healthy Communities program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

7. VISTA/Farmshare for Healthy Communities realized 2 points of Time & Tide’s 5 Year Plan Priority Areas: • Agriculture Aquaculture Community Outreach & Development Forestry & Agroforestry Water Quality Protection

8. Maine SeniorFarmShare

9. Is now part of the national Farm Bill and is funded in part through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service • Ranked #1 FarmShare program in the USA

10. Networks low-income senior citizens with local farmers, helps build communities

11. Allows farmers to contract for $100 shares of fresh fruit and vegetables with individuals and agencies serving low-income seniors

12. Value of Produce Distributed (Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs) • 2001: approximately $769,500 • 2002: over $970,000 • 2003: over $850,000 as of May

13. As of the first week of May, 2003, the Maine Department of Agriculture mailed checks in excess of $850,000 to more than 180 participating farmers.

14. STATE AGENCY AWARD AMOUNTSenior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (06/20/03) • Alabama $757,760 • Alaska $52,221 • Arkansas $96,335 • California $791,800 • Chickasaw Nation, OK $144,845 • Connecticut $91,148 • District of Columbia $143,080 * = New State agency for 2003

15. Florida $96,604 • Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, MI $6,440 • Hawaii $575,246 • Illinois $814,352 • Indiana $42,297 • Iowa $467,997Kansas * $182,439 • Kentucky * $750,000 * = New State agency for 2003

16. Louisiana $284,644 • Maine $893,220 • Maryland $130,988 • Massachusetts $56,900 • Minnesota$77,280 • Missouri$238,888 • Montana $43,313 • Nebraska $205,885 * = New State agency for 2003

17. Nevada * $200,010 • New Hampshire $86,000 • New Jersey $560,734 • New York $1,499,059 • North Carolina $54,000 • Ohio $1,309,052 • Oregon $882,249 • Osage Tribal $22,720 * = New State agency for 2003

18. Pennsylvania $1,500,000 • Puerto Rico * $1,000,000 • South Carolina $570,925 • Tennessee $472,980 • Vermont $64,660 • Virginia $493,707 • Washington $123,720 • West Virginia $737,973 • Wisconsin $299,579 * = New State agency for 2003

19. Many groups, agencies, and governmental departments have partnered to make the Maine Senior FarmShare program so successful, including:

20. Maine Department of Agriculture • Human Services • Bureau of Elder and Adult Services • Area Agencies on Aging • Maine Nutrition Network • Community Action Programs • Maine Farmers and Gardeners Association

21. Maine Association of RC&Ds • Tribal Governments • State Planning Office • University of Maine Cooperative Extension • Maine State Housing Authority • AmeriCorps*VISTA

22. AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers Getting Things Done

23. AmeriCorps • Falls under the auspices of the Corporation for National and Community Service • Created in 1993 • Network of national service programs that engage over 50,000 Americans each year

24. AmeriCorpsis made up of three programs: • AmeriCorps*State and National • AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) • AmeriCorps*Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA)

25. AmeriCorps*VISTA • VISTAs have been helping to bring individuals and communities out of poverty for the past 35 years • VISTAs serve throughout the country fighting illiteracy, improving health services, creating businesses, increasing housing opportunities, and bridging the digital divide

26. Work in non-profits, public agencies, faith-based groups • Members serve full-time for one year and in turn receive a monthly living allowance, insurance, and stipend or education award • In FY 2001 approximately 6,000 VISTAs served in 1,200 local programs

27. Applying for VISTA Organizations that would like to obtain the assistance of a VISTA volunteer must submit the Application, Part A & B, to the CNCS.

28. Agencies that use VISTA’s must: • Submit Quarterly Reports to CNCS • Assist with the Plan of Work • Develop Training Plan • Cost Share Position Expenses

30. VISTA’s Role in Maine Senior FarmShare Three VISTA volunteers were located throughout the state at offices of partner agencies to assist with the administration of the Maine Senior FarmShare program.

31. Eileen Campbell ~ Downeast RC&D Nancy Chandler ~ Dept. of Agriculture warehouse Deirdre Magnan ~ Time&Tide RC&D

32. In the Field • During growing season, Eileen Campbell and Deirdre Magnan conducted site visits with farmers, senior housing sites, food pantries, etc. • Nancy Chandler worked in the warehouse loading/unloading bulk produce, picking up from farms and delivering to seniors across the state.

33. VISTA’s utilized a checklist to ensure consistent site visits, focusing on whether or not FarmShare guidelines were followed. In addition to the Maine Senior FarmShare program, the VISTA’s also implemented side projects where they…

34. Worked with the Hispanic and Somali communities involved with the New Immigrant Farmer Project • Developed a Farmer/Restaurant Directory • Developed an integrated crop management program with inmates at the Kennebec County Correctional Center

36. Participated in the strategic planning process for Maine Women in Agriculture Network, presented at the 3rd. Annual New England Conference and drafted the Regional Leadership Proposal funded by Maine Initiatives. • Organized the Dennysville Community Gardens Project

38. Drafted section of a grant for transportation for low-income residents of the mid-coast area • Organized a network and conference of herb growers • Designed and carried out a series of workshops on alternative cooking methods and nutrition for seniors

40. For more information on the FarmShare Program, please go to this website: Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP Or you may call: (703) 305-2286 Or write: USDA Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services 3101 Park Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22302

42. For more information on the Maine Senior FarmShare Program, please go to these websites: Maine Senior FarmShare Program: Guidelines: www.getrealmaine.com/farmshare/guidelines Farmers: www.getrealmaine.com/farmshare/farmer

43. Time and Tide RC&D 9 Green St. Rm. 304, Augusta, ME 04330