by Jade Greene
20243 was a busy year for BCFA! Read about all the amazing work we accomplished this year!
Fight Food InsecurityÂ
Our Feed A Family Support Family Farm program had another successful year! Every week at the end of the Doylestown and Wrightstown Farmers Markets, we would purchase extra produce from the farmers and then our volunteers would deliver them to local food pantries.
We also support locals by matching SNAP payments used at our markets. For every $5 of SNAP spent, we match $2, stretching how far a dollar can go to buy local food for families in need.
Hosted Two Farmer Events
We love our local farmers! To thank them for all their hard work over the growing season, we hold a social Farmers Fest. This December, over 30 local farmers gathered at Durham Hill Farm to kick back and relax, chat about the season with their community, and enjoy some delicious food (see photos here!)
Each winter, we host Farmers’ Forum, a gathering for farmers to network and learn together. This February, at Plumsteadville Grange, over 15 farmers learned about H2A worker program from farms that have used the program to great success (read more here)
Summer Farm Tours
One of our most popular events of the year are our summer farm tours, where farmers share their farms and knowledge with you! Plus we always boast a delicious potluck.
This year, our tours were hosted at Wildemore Farm in June, Snipes Farm & Education Center in July, and Hershberger Heritage Farm in August (read more here)
Hosted Educational Programs
We had another great year of exciting programming, offering 7 community events. From a film screening of Common Ground to workshops on native plants and kimchi making. Additionally, we conducted a Food Gardens Bus Tour to highlight some spectacular local vegetable gardens. These wonderful community events were attended by over 200 people!
Awarded Small Farm GrantsÂ
Have we mentioned we love farmers yet? Another way we support them is through our small farm grant program, awarding grants for capital improvements and registration to conferences. This year we awarded FIVE grants:
- Pan’s Forest used their funds to build a hoop house
- Rolling Hills Farm used their funds to purchase new market tents
- Tinicum Farm purchased a potato digger
- Hershberger Heritage Farm used their funds for website development
- Hundred Fruits Farm purchased microscope for soil education and improvement
Two Farmers MarketsÂ
We are the parent organization to Doylestown and Wrightstown Farmers Markets! This year, over 60,000 community shoppers visited our markets to shop from more than 70 farms and local food-producing business vendors!
Maintained Website – Wealth of Information
Our website was consistently updated to show upcoming community events, adding new farms to the local food map, resources, writing new blog posts, and more!
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