In June 1997, Pauline Williman placed her family’s 162 acre farm, located in the Town of Knox, into the Patroon Land Foundation, a protected land trust.
From 2001 to 2005, Ms. Williman managed the Farm by herself, planting corn, summer and winter squash, and pumpkins. Food Bank volunteers harvested the crops, and the Food Bank used its vehicles to transport the produce to its warehouse for distribution to member agencies.
The Food Bank saw the Farm as having great potential for a long-term source of food. In 2006, the Regional Food Bank and the Patroon Land Farm became partners. The Farm’s management became the responsibility of the Food Bank, under Farm Manager, Mark Weinheimer. In addition to his responsibilities at the Farm, Mark educated the community, volunteers and schools about the misson and vision of the Food Bank and Farm.
During 2008, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program was initiated to generate revenue and underwrite farm expenses. The program has been very successful and we thank the members for their support as we look forward to our fifth season in 2012.
The Farm has truly become a community project. Numerous companies and individuals in the community have provided time and resources to improve the Farm and increase its ability to grow food. Since 2006, the Farm has supplied the Food Bank with over 445,000 pounds of fresh produce to alleviate hunger in our community.
Thanks to our barn raising committee, and the volunteer labor of the Eastern Contractors Association, we were able to build a 40′ x 56′ pole barn in 2010. Staff and volunteers are able to wash, sort, pack and store produce while out of the elements of the weather. The barn also provides a classroom setting for volunteers and students as they visit or work at the Farm. Additionally, the barn functions as a place to store and work on equipment.
In 2011, Mechanical Dynamics and Analysis funded and constructed a greenhouse for the Farm. The greenhouse will allow us to grow all of our own transplants in 2012 for the first time. We are growing crops inside the greenhouse when there is space available.
Like the barn, we are able to wash, sort, pack and store produce inside the greenhouse. This has proved to be very valuable in the fall. The greenhouse also provides a classroom setting for volunteers and students. We are continuously using the greenhouse as a structure to hold various farm projects.
For the upcoming 2012 season, we are continuing to expand our farmland. Mechanical Dynamics and Analysis is also spearheading the drain tile project which will allow us to cultivate an additional 1.5 acres. We are increasing our Community Supported Agriculture membership this season as we work towards our goal of self-sustainability.
We thank all of the staff, donors, and volunteers who contribute their time, talent and treasure to make the Farm a success.
