Mission Farm Newsletter June 7, 2018

I am the new Senior Warden of Church of Our Saviour, Mission Farm and I thought you might be curious about our efforts to return to our agrarian roots. 

This past spring we were very lucky to have Ted Laquidara, a Castleton University Intern, join us.  He will be working with us through the summer.  He wrote the following press release highlighting what’s happening at Mission Farm.  I would like to share it with you.

I also want to thank the Greater Killington Women’s Club for their $1000 matching grant to help fund the engineering report for the repairs of the failing foundation wall of the Josiah Wood, Jr. house, aka our vicarage.

Mike Ghia, from Land for Good, referred me to the following article:  https://civileats.com/2018/06/11/the-movement-to-turn-church-land-into-farmland/.  It sounds like we are part of a movement.

Warm Regards,

Sue Durant, Senior Warden

Aerial view of Mission Farm

Mission Farm is looking to reach back to its roots

by Ted Laquidara

       

        On Route 4, south of the Killington access road and across from the Skyeship Gondola, lies a 172-acre parcel of land, Mission Farm. It has been an integral part of Killington’s history since it was founded by Josiah Wood in 1797. This piece of property was deeded to VT Episcopal Diocese in 1894 by Elizabeth Wood, the founder’s daughter. That year, she built a small church, Church of Our Saviour, to serve the communities of Killington, Plymouth and Bridgewater. The Episcopal congregation still worships every Sunday morning at 9:30, and all are welcome.

On the property is a series of hiking trails along a river, through large pine stands, and up to 2,400 feet in elevation. The trails are open to the public and furry friends. As much of the local natural lands are being altered by humans and environmental issues becoming more pressing than ever, the community of Mission Farm is looking to reach back to its roots.

Until 1990, Mission Farm was a working farm.  In order to bring agriculture back to the property, Mission Farm is working to establish an agreement with a local farmer, Mary Beth Poli, to use the land for the upcoming seasons. "My family and I are excited to work with the Church of Our Saviour and other partners to plant native, pollinator-friendly perennials, grow vegetables and herbs, and participate in the new Killington Farmers' Market at Mission Farm,” said Mary Beth Poli.

       

              At the start of 2018, Mission Farm acquired an intern, Ted Laquidara, from Castleton University, who is majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Outdoor Recreation. Their hopes were to help incorporate environmental and sustainable practices for land in years to come. Ted has been working with the Executive Committee of Church of Our Saviour as it explores ways to farm the land anew.

       

              Even as spring was still a long way off, the Town of Killington and Mission Farm set to organize a farmers’ market for the upcoming season. Michael Coppinger from KPAA (Killington Pico Area Association) and Cathy Foutch, who is the director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Killington, worked closely with Mission Farm. After a series of meetings, the group decided to hold a market on the third Thursday of every month from May through October from 3pm-6pm.  The next market is scheduled for June 21st, at Mission Farm. The market will contain a variety of goods such as leather, cheese, grown produce, baked goods and more. Follow the farmers market at https://www.facebook.com/KillingtonFarmersMarket/.

A USDA grant for a VT NRCS forest management plan that Mission Farm obtained recently will enable them to work with David Birdsall, a local forestry consultant. David Birdsall discussed the potential sustainable practices for the property. Now that the snow has gone, he will survey the land.

Next time you’re driving on Route 4 through Killington, keep an eye out for Mission Farm Road and see how they are re-establishing their connection with their past, while looking toward the future.