Since Tropical Storm Irene

Clem Nilan, General Manager

Since tropical storm Irene, my Saturday morning visits to the Burlington Farmers’ Market have become bittersweet. While there are still plenty of familiar faces, noticeably absent are all but one Intervale farmers whose seasons were rudely cut short by disastrous flooding. Gone for the season are Adam’s Berry Farm, Pitchfork Farm, Diggers’ Mirth, Arethusa Farm, and Half Pint Farm with only Stray Cat Flower Farm still able to sell her gorgeous bouquets.

Make no mistake, our Co-op depends upon the Intervale. Our relationship with the Intervale goes back decades. Much of the local produce in our Co-op comes from these farms. Last year we purchased over $140,000 in produce from 3 Intervale farms. This year the total dropped to $83,000. Total losses in the Intervale from the storm are now topping $750,000. The economic impact is devastating. What friends do when friends get in trouble is to step up, so we’re making sure that these farmers receive our support in these trying times.

There have been several fundraisers designed to help in flood relief for Intervale farmers.  Our own 1% weeks at the Co-op netted over $13,000. Yet the gap between losses and fundraising is still large and there is still more we need to do to help cover the farmers’ losses. 

Fortunately a splendid opportunity is right in front of us – our annual patronage refund.  As usual, Co-op members will have the opportunity to donate their refund in relief of childhood hunger or support of the local food system.

There's an important change that's happened this year. In June 2011, Our Co-op members passed new By-Laws in which any uncashed patronage checks will go to support the local food system. 

The recipient this year will be the Intervale Farmers’ Equipment Corporation (IFEC). The IFEC was founded in 2007 and operates as a co-op. Through IFEC, Intervale farmers jointly purchase, own, and share farm equipment essential to their business operations – greenhouses, tractors, and other tools. IFEC allows small farms access to equipment they otherwise would not have the resources to invest in. The equipment co-op also assumes responsibility for all maintenance, repairs, administration, and costs associated with these assets.

The departure of Intervale Compost Products from the Intervale created the opportunity for IFEC to lease a heated shop space in the former compost building. The equipment co-op signed the lease agreement just days before Tropical Storm Irene hit.

Here's where we come in. By donating the uncashed patronage refunds to IFCE, Onion River Co-op can help ease the financial burden on member farms. In addition the funding will contribute towards the outfitting of the shop with necessary equipment. Despite the setbacks of the flooding, spring plowing is just around the corner. The future of Intervale farms will be greatly enhanced by our support while donating the uncashed patronage refund checks strengthens one of our Global Ends – strengthening the local food system. Here’s how to contribute.