Community Food System Work

by Liz Ruffa, Northshire Grown: Direct

MFFC deepened its partnership with the GRACE Initiative in August when Liz Ruffa, Project Director of Northshire Grown: Direct participated in the United Nation’s World Humanitarian Day Forum at Southern Vt Arts Center. She presented on community food systems and MFFC’s Northshire Neighbors in Need program.

NG:D is assessing its impact on our regional food system this year thanks for funding from Lookout Foundation. In November, MFFC will host consumer focus groups and farmer foodshed forums in Manchester and Bennington.

Contact liz@merckforest.org if you are interested in helping to increase availability and grow our local food economy.

Thanks to the generosity of NG:D customers last spring, MFFC was able to make a significant donation to the World Central Kitchen to support their emergency relief and food assistance in and around Ukraine this summer.

The World Central Kitchen was founded by chef José Andrés and is a nonprofit organization that provides meals in parts of the world facing natural disaster and/or conflict.

NG:D’s customer philanthropy efforts revolved mainly around supporting local families in need of extra food support, yet we felt it was important to help with this global cause this summer. In 2020, we raised donations for Soulfire Farm in Albany, a nonprofit that connects BIPOC farmers with land and markets.

It is amazing what can happen when we all pitch in a little - World Central Kitchen as made over 200 million meals since 2010!

Thank you!

Please reserve your spot in one of our workshops by registering online at merckforest.org/shop/. Most of the listed activities have an outdoor component –all members of your party should be dressed appropriately for conditions, including water, snacks, sturdy footgear. Due to the low cost of our programs, refunds are not available unless an event is canceled by MFFC. Visit merckforest.org for an updated schedule of events.

10/8/22 (Saturday) 10:00am - 12:00pm

Come spend some time in the woods creatively constructing tiny homes and structures with natural materials. From a mix of provided building materials and items foraged from the forest floor, we’ll imagine and build our own structures, and learn about the other tiny animal architects that live at Merck Forest. Dress appropriately for outdoor activity. $10/person

12/3/2022 (Saturday) 10:00am - 12:00pm (Morning session)

12/3/2022 (Saturday) 1:00 - 3:00pm (Afternoon session)

12/4/2022 (Sunday) 1:00 - 3:00pm (Afternoon session)

Create a holiday wreath from greens sourced at Merck Forest. Ribbons for bows provided, along with a limited amount of natural materials for decorating. Bring along your own decorations to add to your wreath to add to your wreath. We will have three separate workshops this year. $25/wreath

12/7/22 (Wednesday) 5:30pm-7:00pm

The moon will be rising in the east tonight, and hopefully skies will be clear! Join us for a guided moon-lit hike on our trails on a wintery evening. Meet up at the Visitor Center. Bring a headlamp and dress warmly, with proper footwear, including Microspikes or snowshoes, depending on ground conditions. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the program. Covid protocols will be in place as needed. $10.00 per person, and reservations are required.

March: Maple Open House

May: Meet the Lambs

July: Ecology Open House

September: Harvest Festival

Details coming soon!

A tax-exempt, 501(C)(3) corporation in Vermont that has, for over 70 years, inspired curiosity, love and responsibiliy for natural and working lands through land stewardshipand conservation education.