Our Goals:
1. Increase access to healthy foods in the inner city.
2. Build community.
3. Improve the self-sufficiency of those involved.
With gratitude for a great first year: 2009 | Dec 31, 2009
With the final harvest on December 3, 2009, Shalom Farms concluded its very successful first season. Our thanks to all who planned, planted, picked, processed, promoted, and persevered. Following is a brief summary of this year's outcomes.
From March 20 2009 to December 3, 2009 United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond hosted on the Shalom Farms project 44 organized groups and over 100 non-group related individuals yielding 2,677 volunteer hours contributed by 1,647 volunteers to grow and harvest 5762 pounds of fresh produce that was redistributed to three (and more) targeted food insecure neighborhoods in Richmond.
Over fifty community building and service delivery organizations, five key collaborating partners, and numerous faith based and secular donors from across Metro Richmond and beyond provided resources, participated in three Shalom Farms Network steering committee meetings, garnered community support from more than eighty families, and invested their good will so that Shalom Farms could grow healthy food, family and friends to improve food security in Richmond.
As planning begins for the 2010 season - it is just around the corner - please watch this site for upcoming announcements.
With our gratitude for making Shalom Farms a wonderful success in 2009 and beyond,
UMUMR Board of Directors and staff (Dave Cooper, Katye Parker Snipes, and Rob Moore).
From March 20 2009 to December 3, 2009 United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond hosted on the Shalom Farms project 44 organized groups and over 100 non-group related individuals yielding 2,677 volunteer hours contributed by 1,647 volunteers to grow and harvest 5762 pounds of fresh produce that was redistributed to three (and more) targeted food insecure neighborhoods in Richmond.
Over fifty community building and service delivery organizations, five key collaborating partners, and numerous faith based and secular donors from across Metro Richmond and beyond provided resources, participated in three Shalom Farms Network steering committee meetings, garnered community support from more than eighty families, and invested their good will so that Shalom Farms could grow healthy food, family and friends to improve food security in Richmond.
As planning begins for the 2010 season - it is just around the corner - please watch this site for upcoming announcements.
With our gratitude for making Shalom Farms a wonderful success in 2009 and beyond,
UMUMR Board of Directors and staff (Dave Cooper, Katye Parker Snipes, and Rob Moore).
Fall Celebration & Hands On Day | Oct 20, 2009
We had a great turnout this past Saturday despite the crazy cold weather! In the morning we participated in Hands On Greater Richmond’s 2nd annual Hands On Day. Over 1,000 people were a part of this day of service. Volunteers at Shalom Farms helped on site with getting the farm ready for winter and harvested a lot of mustard greens.
In the afternoon friends from CHAT, Belmont UMC, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Camp Westview, Feed More (CVFB) and individuals from around Greater Richmond came out to help celebrate our first season with cider, desserts, a moon bounce, hay ride and PUMPKINS! We harvested 2,737 pounds of pumpkins in record time with lots of hands moving together, then a group of hearty men helped move the flats onto the lift to go to the food bank.
We’ll have some more greens to harvest, and fall broccoli should bring our total numbers for the season to just under 3 tons! Thanks so much for your help making this project a success. Please be sure to check out photos from Saturday!
In the afternoon friends from CHAT, Belmont UMC, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Camp Westview, Feed More (CVFB) and individuals from around Greater Richmond came out to help celebrate our first season with cider, desserts, a moon bounce, hay ride and PUMPKINS! We harvested 2,737 pounds of pumpkins in record time with lots of hands moving together, then a group of hearty men helped move the flats onto the lift to go to the food bank.
We’ll have some more greens to harvest, and fall broccoli should bring our total numbers for the season to just under 3 tons! Thanks so much for your help making this project a success. Please be sure to check out photos from Saturday!
Shalom Farms Video | Oct 2, 2009
We've just finished a first-year summary video that will be shown at the National Communities of Shalom Summit in October. Check it out on You Tube.
Special Thanks | Sep 16, 2009
We want to extend a special thank you to Richmond's JUMP ABOVE ALL for donating the use of a moon bounce for our October 17 Volunteer Appreciation event. Be sure you come out from 1 to 4 on the 17th to jump in celebration of a successful summer, and if you're planning to rent party equipment anytime soon call 804.643.3355 or visit their website.
October 17th Event | Sep 1, 2009
Folks - We're having a volunteer appreciation event on the farm on October 17th, and we want you to come out. If you've volunteered in the past, supported the farm, or are just plain curious - come out on the 17th, and we'll show you around, cook some food together, and have an all-around good time!
Canning the Harvest: | Aug 13, 2009
Check out the food canning workshop that was designed to improve food security of residents in Richmond, Virginia public housing developments. This recent event was held, thanks to our partners Virginia Cooperative Extension, Girl Scout Troop #740, Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority, Oak Grove Elementary School, and Sacred Heart Center. Special thanks to UMTV.
