Well, here is a bird's-eye view of this situation and how it has
impacted the local farmers. Let me define the use of local in this
context; those that are third and fourth generation, those who have
farmed all their lives, those who own their farms earned from the sweat
of their labor.
CHARITABLE NONPROFIT
In the beginning of this evolution, the locals understood that which
Robert Riversong writes about, and apologizes for which did not happen
and for the outcome of what did happen. This venture of the Kingsbury
farm and the Vermont Food Bank was understood by all to be a charitable
nonprofit model. The food bank made a promise not to compete with
established local farmers.
This was conveyed face to face to the local farmers by members of the
food bank. It was said to partner with them while serving the hungry
was a valuable opportunity. The local farmers embraced this opportunity.
Though they did not have the time or reserves to lend, as the food bank
had hoped, they still wanted to allow the food bank this opportunity.
They trusted that the community had their best interest at heart as
well. These farmers that have 30 or 40 years of experience, they have
taken their farms from small family-owned establishments to large
productive farms that feed this Valley, providing high quality healthy
food. These farmers not only produce this food, but are integral parts
of this Valley -- fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers before
them. They contribute to the richness of its history.
NEVER REACHED FRUITION
For whatever reason, the model never reached fruition. Now enter two
people who owned a farm for seven years in another state. They are now
here and running an enterprise that has been funded by the community to
feeding the less fortunate. Due to the arrangement that has been made,
those running the Kingsbury farm have access to public subsidy that has
afforded them the best of equipment, a considerable investment from the
community in its infrastructure.
They are not bad people, but seized an opportunity that this community
provided by its own ignorance. I beg to differ with Robin McDermott, for
whom I have a great respect for what she believes in, in her plea to
support this farm. She states the only money they will earn is from the
sale of their produce to the wholesale accounts including restaurants
and stores. The bakery now housed in the Kingsbury Farm, subsided by the
community at a considerable expense way above the original plan as
income. Not only does this enterprise compete with local farms, but
also with established bakeries and other food production businesses. All
under the "feed the hungry umbrella." Ask any of the local farmers how
this has impacted them. Ask any of the local bakeries. Those very
accounts not so long ago were income to the local farmers who have been
here for decades, who built their farms from sweat and hard work, not
from community subsidy. Under the guise of feeding the poor, income is
now taken from the local farmers. Do you not call this competition? I
think it leaves a bad feeling.
The local farmers were asked to grow vegetables to supply the Kingsbuy
Farm store with produce to further subsidize this operation. Does that
not further perpetuate this abominable situation? Furthermore these
farmers work to pay the taxes to keep the land that has been owned for
generations, they work to pay the repair bills on old equipment so they
can keep producing. They do not have the revenue for marketers or the
time and resources to market themselves. The Kingsbury farmers have the
opportunity to farm for free, to own a bakery for free, to have
equipment that is top of the line for free, to have their utility bills
paid by the Kingsbury farmstead, allowing them a great advantage over
the established farms.
COMMUNITY FUNDED
The sad part is our community funded this enterprise. As they compete
with the local established farmer under the veil of "feeding the
hungry," are they not making a profit? I would say they are, and at
whose expense? Perhaps you should ask some of the local farmers what
this has cost them in business. While they struggle to fix their old
equipment, the Kingsbury farmers are scooping their accounts that help
to pay their taxes, fix their equipment.
If we are so willing to fund an enterprise like this, why are we not
putting this money into our own available resources, the invaluable
ones? The local established farms! I would think the plea would be to
support the local established farms so that this valley does not lose
yet another farm, especially those that have been in existence for
generations.
As to the free twilight walk through the fields, you can take a twilight
walk that is free through any of the farmer's fields; they are all
doing the same thing while trying to make a living and provide for this
community.
Debra White lives in Waitsfield.
