The Central Connecticut River Valley Institute ("CCRVI"), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, exists to create educational programs and innovative social, cultural, and economic institutions which encourage people to experience the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual benefits of living in deep connection with the natural world, with themselves, and with each other.
Food Security Projects
Village of Veggies
CCRVI engages in various programs intended and designed to help foster a deeper awareness of the inter-relationships between humans and the rest of the natural world which surrounds and feeds us while encouraging a stronger experience of “we are all in this together” regarding our food supply. The Villiage of Veggies project is the first of many ways that we hope will create a more localized "food shed" for our area. These current "connection lists" are just the beginning. They are intended to provide a dynamic resource structure into which people can add information, find others, learn, etc. We invite you to help expand these lists by sending us your offerings, questions, and feedback as these lists develop.
1. For an overview read the March 2009 Study by Conway School of Landscape Design: Cultivating Resilience: Shelburne Falls Food Security Plan - Phase One
2. Connecting those who have land with those who want to garden or farm: Click on Land to Share if you have land or space you would like to share. Click on Looking for Land if you would like to garden, garden more, or start a small farm, but don't have a sunny spot or enough yard or land. Not sure what such land sharing arrangements might involve? Click on Sample Agreements for Land Sharing for some suggestions. To explore the possibility of starting a farming enterprise using small plots or multiple parcels of land owned by others, click on Small Plot INtensive ("SPIN") Farming.
3. Connecting those who know how to garden/farm with those who want to learn: Click on Learning to Garden or Farm for a list of people and programs teaching others to garden or farm.
4. Fair Share: A Permaculture Principle. The idea is that we set limits for ourselves and redistribute our surpluses. Read more about the Fair Share Principle. Click Places to Donate Food to see a list of local places where you can redistribute food.
5. Possible new project: Creating a Community Garden modeled on the English/European Allotment Concept. In a typical allotment, the land is owned by a town or an organization willing to hold and lease it out for the long term. The land is leased to a non-profit organization which subleases plots to individuals or families. Plots can be large enough to grow enough food for a family of four. These subleases can run for a long time as long as the individuals or family continue to use and maintain the land. These subleases can be passed down to the next generation. Learn more about allotment gardens. Contact us if you are interested in being involved with creating an allotment garden in the Shelburne Falls area.