Advancement News

by Liz Ruffa, Advancement Director

Advancement Office Welcomes Amy Pim-Capman

Amy Pim-Capman joins Merck Forest and Farmland Center as Advancement Coordinator after wrapping up a fulfilling summer as a field educator for MFFC’s Summer Camp programs. Amy’s energy, motivation and love of nature will be put to use to engage new members, college graduates and young families as well as businesses starting up in Vermont and surrounding areas to share the importance of our mission, the work and dedication we put into every inch of this land and to be proud to be a part of it.

Amy, originally from Cleveland, has three sons - Caden, Taite and Tegan - who she raised in Poultney. Merck Forest has been one of her family’s favorite back yards for the last 20 years.

Community Service

Merck Forest staff volunteers for community service projects twice a year - on 9/11 and on Martin Luther King Day. This month we elected to make turkey soup (with MFFC-grown birds) for the Rupert Food Pantry and Mettawee Community School to distribute to families in need of extra nourishment and food support. Over 60 quarts were made on 1/16 to nourish the Rupert community. Many thanks to Rupert Fire Station, Kelly Lewis and Yoder Farm for their help!

NG:D Forum and Focus Group planning under way

Thanks to grant funding, Merck Forest is organizing a series of food shed forums and consumer focus groups this winter and spring to assess the strengths and opportunities that direct to consumer food sales offer to communities. Northshire Grown: Direct’s business model will help inform recommendations for both supply and demand sides. With an eye towards how to best benefit regional farms and food businesses, MFFC will organize several community conversations around these topics. Information can be found at northshiregrown.com

Thanks to Sam Stubbs, Bennington College, for his work on this project as part of his “Field Work Term”.