Working Landscapes has just published our 2024 Impact Report–it was a big year for our organization and our partners! Thanks to my wonderful colleagues, especially Rachel Kinard, who helped to compile the information and make it lovely. I encourage you to read the entire report, which is presented below. We will be producing a longer format report to capture our work later–let me know what you think of what we’ve got so far, and what you’d be interested in knowing more about.
I want to highlight a cluster of metrics from the report. ByWay Foods (our food hub), processed 254,337 pounds of vegetables in 2024. Every pound was purchased from North Carolina farmers, delivered to our food hub, stored, prepped, sliced or diced, washed, spun, weighed, bagged, boxed and palletized, ready to be shipped out to one of 38 school districts across North Carolina and Virginia; these 38 districts served more than 885,000 school children. These are significant numbers, and I’m very proud of our ByWay team, led by Food Hub Manager Maeve Broyles!
However, some of the most important aspects of this work aren’t so easily measured. For example, moving local food to schools absolutely relies on collaboration with farmers, other food hubs, and school districts. How do we measure the work of building trust, transparency, and intention? This is the daily work of value chain coordination–establishing mission-aligned connections that extend from farm to table. Working Landscapes’ team puts in the effort, day after day and year after year, to build relationships and systems that move healthy food with integrity and good will. In short, it is not only what we accomplish, but also the way we work that we think has value. As you read the impact report, know that we are proud of the numbers and statistics we are sharing, but also that the numbers are short-hand for steadfast, conscientious and mission-driven effort on behalf of our staff, interns, volunteers and collaborators. Thank you so much for your support in doing this work. Onward!
Byway Foods, Working Landscapes’ Food Hub, launched its new produce box program this month! Our first box of the season contained strawberries, beets, asparagus, carrots and onions. Our produce box program allows Warren County residents to purchase a box of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables grown by local producers. The boxes will be available to purchase online bi-weekly, and pick-up will be at ByWay Foods in downtown Warrenton. Our program aims to make local food more accessible, support the local economy by keeping money within the Warren County region, and support local producers.
This month, we would like to highlight Fairport Farms as one of our local producers. Located in Kittrell, NC, Fairport Farms is owned by Evin and Madeline Eaton. They have been recognized as North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Small Farmer of the Year, and they grow diverse vegetables in high tunnels. The Eatons pride themselves on being pioneers in soil health, cultivating their produce without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. We are always pleased to work with Fairport; their produce is consistently top-notch. Madeline and Elvin also hosted our Food for Thought students for a field trip in October of last year.
If you would like to order this week’s box of seasonal fresh produce, reply to the newsletter and let us know! Boxes are $35 and pick-up will be at the Hive Friday, May 23rd.
Our new t-shirts are here! We are greatful to Bobbie Brownell, our Business and Finance Manager, for the amazing design! If you would like to purchase a t-shirt, please reply to this email and share what size you would like. The shirts are $20 and will be available for pick-up downtown Warrenton.
We are excited to launch our Working Landscapes Biochar Loan Program! We have two kilns available for rent for farmers and landowners. The Ring of Fire Kiln (shown in the flyer above) is best for larger amounts of debris, while the Oregon kiln is best for smaller amounts. Kilns will be available for pick-up at our food hub in Warrenton. To rent a kiln, please fill our the interest form here or email Jason@workinglandscapesnc.org for more information.
We are extremely grateful for our interns! Judith Reyes Gomez and Kristen Labra Franco have been with Working Landscapes since February 2024, and they have been a tremendous asset to our team. Judith and Kristen were recommended to us by Ms. Lenora Parks, the school guidance counselor at Warren County Early College High School. They became interested in interning with us because they believe that Working Landscapes positively impacts the community, and that our work is vital for the environment.
We want to congratulate Judith and Kristen on their recent high school graduations and their plans to attend Salem College (Judith) and UNC Chapel Hill (Kristen). Both plan to study biology and have expressed interest in seeking future volunteer or work opportunities with nonprofits that share a mission similar to that of Working Landscapes. During their time with us, they have participated in a variety of projects, including bookkeeping, packing and organizing produce boxes, working in the processing facility, and assisting Maeve, our food hub manager, with various tasks. Kristen shared that her favorite part of the work is sampling different products in the produce boxes and packing them, while Judith enjoys working in the processing room, organizing the produce boxes, and seeing what is in season.
Judith’s favorite item from the produce boxes is peaches, whereas Kristen loves strawberries. Thank you, Judith and Kristen, for your hard work and for supporting local food!
Josephine Schall, our new Value-Chain Associate, has been with Working Landscapes since last July as part of the Climate Conversations Resilience Corps program, a branch of AmeriCorps. Josephine has been involved with many programs, including coordinating events in the Hive, relaunching the produce box program, and being a key player in all things marketing and communications for Working Landscapes.
The AmeriCorps program was abruptly terminated last month under the new administration, so Josephine’s position was cut as part of these changes. Josephine will be transitioning to part-time work as a Value-Chain Associate. She will continue her work in marketing and communications, as well as our produce box program. We are thrilled that Josephine can stay on in a different role despite the disruption.
First Friday Poetry Night
Join the Warren Artist Market on First Fridays to hear local poets, storytellers, artists, and musicians! This event happens every first Friday of the month from 7-9:30p.m in the Hive, with the next event taking place June 6th.
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