Rock Steady Farm is much more than a farming operation. Beyond the hard work of growing vegetables, our social justice mission centers on 4 key issues: Food Access, Regenerative Agriculture, Farmer Training & Advocacy and Community Engagement. Below, we hope to connect those dots, uplift the progress underway and invite you into our bold vision for the year ahead!
Learn more about our work below . . .
Focus area #1: Food Access
We’ve built our farm around the belief that everyone has a right to high quality produce, not just those who can typically afford it.
Our Food Access Fund and sliding scale model provide no-cost or subsidized vegetables to low-income households, including communities of color, LGBTQAI+ folks, seniors, families with young children, and people living with serious health concerns (such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes and cancer).
Together, we’ve accomplished so much . . .
“There’s no better feeling than being able to feed your family whole nourishing meals. ”
57% of our total food grown in 2020 was distributed to low-income communities!
We sent out 4,340 boxes of vegetables for low-income folks . . . which translates to 52,000 nutrient-dense meals and roughly 35,000 pounds of produce!
Thanks to the generosity of donors and community foundations, our fully subsidized “solidarity shares” increased 80% from 2019. These are huge wins that would not have been possible without the support of this community.
Looking ahead, we know that the demand for food relief continues to grow, especially as pandemic response funding dwindles. A recent report published in the New York Times found that 1.5 million New Yorkers cannot afford food, a staggering statistic.
While systemic inequities have been exacerbated by COVID-19, we know they are not new, nor temporary, and we are in it for the long haul. We hope you’ll continue to work alongside us in this fight.
In 2021, we have an ambitious goal to grow and distribute 125 Solidarity Shares (20 weeks of no-cost fresh produce) for individuals and families facing food insecurity.
Donations by check save us 4% in transaction fees. Checks can be made out to our 501(c)3 Fiscal Sponsor: The Watershed Center, memo “Food Access Fund” and mailed to Rock Steady Farm, 41 Kaye Rd, Millerton NY 12546. We are also members of 1% for the planet if you prefer to contribute through that platform.
Focus Area #2: Regenerative Agriculture
It’s all connected. It’s important to understand that when you contribute to our Food Access initiative, you’re not only feeding community members in need, but also supporting the sustainable farming practices behind that food.
Amidst an escalating climate crisis, we take our responsibility as farmers and land stewards seriously. Industrial agriculture is responsible for 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, small scale, sustainable farms like ours have the power to reverse this harm through regenerative agriculture practices that sequester carbon, rebuild soil health and increase biodiversity.
For example, next season we plan to cover crop 90% of our fields (used to restore and “feed” the soil), cultivate a new perennial plot (a 10X increase in our perennial production), utilize interplanting to promote beneficial pollinators, and add an additional 20 cubic yards of compost.
Each of these choices require planning, hard labor and significant financial investment. As a result, our vegetables do cost more than those grown conventionally on large scale farms without regard for the soil.
Join us in a holistic response to food insecurity, which cares for our planet AND the humans inhabiting it.
Donations by check save us 4% in transaction fees. Checks can be made out to our 501(c)3 Fiscal Sponsor: The Watershed Center, memo “Food Access Fund” and mailed to Rock Steady Farm, 41 Kaye Rd, Millerton NY 12546. We are also members of 1% for the planet if you prefer to contribute through that platform.
Focus Area #3: Farmer Advocacy & Training
But what about the humans growing the food? Did you know that at least 33% of farmworkers are living below the poverty line? The average hourly wage is $10.60, and benefits like sick leave and health insurance are extremely rare. For farmers of color, women and LGBTQIA+ farmers, there are even more obstacles to a safe and stable workplace (many of us have firsthand experience with this) – and yes, these injustices show up on organic, sustainable farms, too.
In contrast, Rock Steady is a worker-owned cooperative farm, striving to pay living wages and create safer spaces for our queer, multi-racial team to thrive. We invest in our farmers through skill training, opportunities for ownership, shared power & decision making, and a commitment to the ongoing internal work around racial justice, anti-oppression and culture building.
One metric of success in these efforts so far is that 100% of our 2020 team is planning to return next season!
That said, we’re fighting within and against a system that undervalues the essential work of growing food. To get specific – in 2021, our farm crew (with a combined 40+ years experience) will earn $14-16/hr, April through November. While this is far above average, the nature of seasonal, hourly pay still leaves a long way to go to what most would consider a truly liveable wage.
Why do we share all this? These realities are largely invisible to consumers and funders. Yet we firmly believe that farmer care – especially for LGBTQAI+ folks and Black, Indigenous and non Black People of Color – is inextricably linked to food access, climate justice and equity. While funding received does not directly impact wage increases, your support creates stability for our farm and a secure, mission-driven outlet for our produce. Food relief + responsibly grown produce + fair prices.
Join us in creating a food system that supports farmers!
Donations by check save us 4% in transaction fees. Checks can be made out to our 501(c)3 Fiscal Sponsor: The Watershed Center, memo “Food Access Fun” and mailed to Rock Steady Farm, 41 Kaye Rd, Millerton NY 12546. We are also members of 1% for the planet if you prefer to contribute through that platform.
Focus Area #4: Community Engagement
Our Food Access initiatives succeed because of the strength of our community partnerships, and the time we invest in them. These relationships, both locally upstate and throughout New York City, center on outreach, distribution and connection with the communities we feed.
“I would like to express my gratitude for your solidarity shares. They make such a difference when otherwise it is so difficult to have access to local fresh produce. You make it seem like the world is not just an unjust place. It means so much for me. Thank you!”
In 2020, we partnered with 19 community organizations, including developing 7 brand new partnerships!
This is in stark contrast to the existing food aid in our country which separates, hides and dehumanizes those who can not afford healthy food. Typically people have no choices beyond highly processed, shelf stable foods with very little nutritional value. We survey all of our members, cater our crop plan to meet people’s diverse culturally specific needs, and meet people where they are at, bringing our produce to community centers and working with our lower-income members to create a unique experience with our farm and food.
Plus, we see Rock Steady as a space to gather, restore, and take action – online and on land. We are committed to sharing our stories, amplifying the needs of the communities we work with, and using our platform to organize, educate and inspire collective change. As COVID-19 safety allows, we hope to bring back and expand our legendary fall farm parties (with 400+ attendees in the past) as well as increased public programming and tours with partner organizations, youth groups and other LGBTQIA+ farmers.
We made big strides in 2020! Exhale. And, as you can see, we have bold goals for the year ahead too.
We know that these systemic issues require dedication, ongoing investment and a commitment to keep showing up. We’re ready to get to work, but we need financial support to make it happen.
As you make your year-end giving decisions, we’d be honored if you’d consider supporting our continued work towards food and justice for all.
Together, we can imagine and move towards a new paradigm in the food system, that respects all humans and our planet, as well as the farmers who care for both.
Donations by check save us 4% in transaction fees. Checks can be made out to our 501(c)3 Fiscal Sponsor: The Watershed Center, memo “Food Access Fund” and mailed to Rock Steady Farm, 41 Kaye Rd, Millerton NY 12546.
Huge thanks to our 2020 sponsors:
We could not do this work without the generous support of individual donors and organizational sponsorship. Special gratitude to Rob Horwitz and Cathy Redlich.
This project has been supported by grants from the Northeast Dutchess Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Community Matching Fund, The North Star Fund, American Farmland Trust/Tillamook.
Our top 2020 sponsors, and early supporters for the 2021 season include:
