Poughkeepsie Farm Project

Programs: Community-supported agriculturethe poughkeepsie farm project operates a produce farm for the purpose of demonstrating, teaching, and promoting sustainable production and distribution medthods, preserving community farmland, and improving access to locally-grown and healthy food, with a special focus on those with limited access. This program provides vocational training to 5-7 young adults each year who aspire to farm following the principles of sustainable agriculture. This program is the basis for thousands of community members, hundreds of local youth, and dozens of college students to access fresh food, directly experience farming, learn about its connects to the environment, and learn and practice farming skills. Food sharefood share/food justice improves access to fresh, nutritious food through food donations and subsidized food shares. This program is focused on the food access issues facing residents who live in the parts of the city of poughkeepsie where poverty is concentrated. Assessment and planning are also performed as part of this program. Of the 90 tons (200,000 pounds) of food harvested at the poughkeepsie farm project, this program makes up to 20% available to low-income community members. Educational programsfor more than 7,000 people each year, education programs provided by the pfp: a) provide vocational training for future farmers and positive fresh food learning experiences for urban teens through hands-on farming, gardening and cooking on farm and in school settings, and b) draw on our working farm to provide a unique food and agriculture educational resource, including interactive and thematic farm tours, work projects, events, and education sessions for community groups.