Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative
“If you want to go fast, walk alone, if you want to go far, come let’s walk together.” - African Proverb
A first-of-it’s-kind FOOD HUB, rooted in resilience
The WEBATUCK VALLEY FARM COLLABORATIVE (WVFC) is a regional food sovereignty and farm cooperative development initiative led by Rock Steady Farm, Sweet Freedom Farm, and Wildseed Community Farm and Healing Village. We are building a first-of-its-kind food hub to address absent and outdated middle-of-supply chain infrastructure and to secure viable, scalable farm businesses for QTBIPOC farmers.
Leveraging decades of production, distribution, and education experience, as well as 10+ years of direct partnership on the land, the WVFC Food Hub will provide low-to-no cost land access, training and apprenticeships, shared infrastructure and overhead, product processing & aggregation, advocacy, community events, and employment to underserved farmers in Dutchess & Columbia County, and beyond.
The food hub will double infrastructure capacity for at least 15 local farms, open access to 8+ markets, and support development of 25+ value added products. Shared infrastructure will ultimately increase QTBIPOC produce grown, stored, and distributed by 300%. Additionally, our food hub will supply and impact 9 school districts, 13 food pantries, and partner with 6 institutional buyers, and 8 aggregators and distributors.
Our goal is to raise a total of $15 million! Funding will guarantee 3 years of startup for 3 organizations over 3 sites. We are thrilled to share that we have secured $5.7 million to date but we need your support to reach our $15 million goal!
The WVFC Capital Campaign will fund the development of a regional food hub centered in the Webatuck Valley in Millerton, NY — including aggregation, cold storage, wash/pack, processing, a shared commercial kitchen, distribution infrastructure, a shared large event space, short-term housing for our training programs and more! We are connecting underserved farmers to schools, institutions, emergency food access, and community markets across New York State and the Northeast.
Interested in joining our capital campaign committee? Email Monti@WildseedCommunity.org
Thank you for supporting the often-unseen yet critical infrastructure needed for LGBTQ and BIPOC led farms to feed their communities!
Join our upcoming Funder briefings!
💚 Join Us for the Webatuck August Funder Briefing!
Curious how your support can make an even bigger impact? Join us to learn about Webatuck's partnership with Walden Mutual Bank and how their innovative Certificate of Deposit (CD) program helps strengthen our cash flow while allowing supporters to earn interest on their investment.
📅 August 4, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
Discover how this unique partnership is helping build a stronger, more resilient regional food system—together.
🎟️ Reserve your spot today!
💚 Join Us for the Webatuck October Funder Briefing
Be part of an important conversation about reparative capital, community giving, and the future of regional food systems.
Learn how the Webatuck Food Hub is creating opportunities to support Black and Brown land stewards, strengthen local agricultural infrastructure, and build lasting, community-centered impact through relationship-based philanthropy.
📅 October 6, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
Together, we'll explore our vision for the next phase of the Webatuck Food Hub and share meaningful ways you can help shape a more equitable and resilient food future.
🎟️ Reserve your spot today!
Together, we're helping grow an agricultural economy.
One that benefits farmers, communities, and future generations.
🌱 Strategic Partnership
Banking That Invests in a More Resilient Food System
Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative is proud to partner with Walden Mutual Bank, a mission-driven financial institution dedicated to strengthening local food systems. Rather than investing deposits in traditional industries, Walden Mutual directs capital toward farms, food businesses, nonprofits, and other sustainability-focused organizations that are building a more resilient future.
OUR AWARDS AND FUNDERS
The work of the Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative is made possible through the generous support of public agencies, foundations, and mission-aligned partners committed to building a stronger, more resilient regional food system.
Government & Public Funding
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program Awardee
NASDA Foundation
USDA Food Business Centers – Northeast Business Builder Awardee
COMMUNITY OF FUNDERS
Foundation for Community Health
Commonground Fund
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Philanthropic Ventures – Village Farmer Fund
TwoTrees Fund
Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming
National Family Farm Coalition
Co-op Innovation '23 Award
Retreat Partner
The Watershed Center
A Place to Gather, Learn, and Renew
For more than a decade, the core partners of the Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative have worked alongside The Watershed Center, hosting retreats, community gatherings, educational workshops, shared meals, and special events.
As the Collaborative enters its next chapter, we are proud to recognize The Watershed Center as our dedicated retreat partner—a place where connection, learning, and collaboration continue to flourish.
Whether you're attending a Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative event or planning your own retreat, workshop, or gathering, The Watershed Center offers welcoming accommodations and inspiring spaces for individuals and organizations alike.