Our Mission

Cedar Circle Farm is a diversified, organic farm and education center. The mission for the education center is to train next generation farmers, raise public awareness about the importance of local organic agriculture, increase access of quality organic produce for low income people, and establish models for farm-appropriate alternative energy strategies.

1. Training for next generation farmers
It is difficult for aspiring farmers and students to find a facility that provides them with the skills necessary to start a farming business or to participate creatively on organic farms. The long-standing opposition to organic techniques and the demise of technical agricultural education at universities has created a vacuum that farms like Cedar Circle can help fill. Our aim is to create educational and practical programs on the farm and in the community to address this heightened interest and to help grow the next crop of farmers. CCF offers On-Farm Training for Aspiring Farmers and Beginner Farmer Workshops.

2. Raise public awareness about the importance of local, organic agriculture
The public is becoming increasingly aware of potential health hazards from conventionally produced foods. Concerns are growing about pesticides, hormones, genetically modified organisms (GMO), antibiotic resistance, mad-cow disease, and other adverse consequences of industrial farming. As a result, organic is the fastest growing sector in the food economy. CCF aspires to be a source for healthy organic produce, as well as a source for information about organic food and farming for the local community through our:

• community-supported agriculture—CSA Program
• community harvest festivals
• cooking classes
• Dinners in the Field
• our website and newsletters

3. Farm-to-School Program
In 2007, in an effort to integrate more garden-derived and local foods into its cafeteria, the Thetford Vermont Elementary School put in a school garden, and are seeking ways to integrate garden activities and farm visits into the curriculum. CCF Education Program coordinator Cat Buxton helped the school children plant their 2008 spring garden and is hosting the group on a CCF farm tour. She is also working with volunteer parents and students to maintain the garden over the summer. In addition, Cat and other CCF field crew built a small hoop house for the school garden. The high school has received a planning grant to gather community people together to devise a comprehensive plan for a Farm to School Program and Cat is helping to coordinate that effort.

To arrange a farm tour for pre-K through 12 classes, scout groups or youth programs email Cat Buxton.

4. Increase access to organic produce
One of the common criticisms of organic farming is that organic food is only affordable for the wealthy. Because organic production costs are higher, the price of organic food is generally higher. In addition, health problems that result from a diet of fast food and poor nutritional quality of school lunches are becoming increasingly common in the general public and especially among low-income people. CCF aspires to find ways to create more opportunities for low-income people to have increased access to quality, organic produce through the following programs. Click each for details.

• Farmer Outreach Program with Inner City Youth from Worcester, MA
• Farmers Markets Food Coupon Programs and Farm Share Program
• Dedicated “Willing Hands” Garden

5. Create models for farm-appropriate alternative energy strategies
It has become increasingly clear to farmers that they must develop alternative energy strategies in the face of rising oil prices and diminishing supplies and the impact of the energy use on the environment. Farmers are experimenting with using biodeisel, used vegetable oil, woodchips, corn, geothermal heat, and wind as alternatives to propane, electricity and oil. CCF has made a commitment to explore alternative sources of energy so that other farms can learn from our experiences. Visit our on-farm energy page for details.