Massaro Community Farm Inc

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FREE FOOD TO LOW INCOME PERSONS, PROVIDE EDUCATION IN NUTRITION AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, AND PRESERVE A WORKING FARM AND HISTORICAL BUILDINGS.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURECOMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA), IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FARMERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WHEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS PURCHASE A CSA SUBSCRIPTION, THEY CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT THE FARM BY PAYING UP FRONT FOR PRODUCE THEY WILL RECEIVE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. THIS UP-FRONT PAYMENT HELPS TO COVER OPERATING EXPENSES AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF THE FARM EACH YEAR, ALLOWING THE FARM TO FOCUS ON ITS OPERATION AND PLAN FOR THE SEASON. IN 2021, 305 CSA SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE FULFILLED AND THE TOTAL HARVEST WAS 66,255 POUNDS, OF WHICH 8,613 POUNDS WERE DONATED TO HUNGER RELIEF.

PRESERVATION AND RESTORATIONTHROUGH AN OPERATING LEASE WITH THE TOWN OF WOODBRIDGE, MASSARO COMMUNITY FARM LEASES APPROXIMATELY A 58 ACRE CENTURY OLD FARM AND HISTORICAL BUILDINGS. MASSARO COMMUNITY FARM WORKS TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE THE BUILDINGS, IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE LAND TO ENABLE THE PROPERTY TO OPERATE AS A WORKING FARM. IN 2021, THE FARM LEVERAGED A CT DEPT OF AGRICULTURE GRANT TO LAUNCH AN ORGANIC EGG LAYING OPERATION, PURCHASING 300 ORGANIC HENS AND A SOLAR POWERED MOVABLE CHICKEN TRACTOR. THE FARM ALSO PLANTED 660 HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS, SHRUBS AND TREES. THESE PLANTS SERVE AS HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS, BIRDS AND WILDLIFE. FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING FROM INCEPTION IN 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2021, MASSARO COMMUNITY FARM HAS EXPENDED MORE THAN $416,000 FOR LAND CLEARING; IRRIGATION AND WELL REPAIR AND INSTALLATION; BARN, FARM HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE IMPROVEMENTS AND RESTORATION.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSMASSARO COMMUNITY FARM RUNS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION. IN 2021, THE FARM CONTINUED ITS MULTITUDE OF OFFERINGS FOR ALL AGES AND EXPANDED ITS HALF DAY SUMMER CAMP TO A FULL TIME OPERATION, HOSTING 235 STUDENTS ON THE FARM OVER FIVE WEEKS.

HUNGER RELIEF/FREE FOOD PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTIONMASSARO COMMUNITY FARM DONATES FRESH ORGANICALLY GROWN FOOD TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS THROUGH FOOD BANKS, HOMELESS SHELTERS AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN THE LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY AND GREATER NEW HAVEN. IN ADDITION TO CONTINUING TO DONATE AT LEAST 10% OF ITS HARVEST TO FOOD SECURITY, IN 2021, THE FARM TOOK STEPS TO ENSURE EVEN MORE FAMILIES COULD AFFORD ITS PRODUCE. IT BEGAN OFFERING A SLIDING SCALE SUBSCRIPTION AND BEGAN ACCEPTING EBT AS PAYMENT FOR PRODUCE AND OTHER FARM GOODS. EACH YEAR, MASSARO COMMUNITY FARM DONATES AT LEAST 10% OF OUR DIVERSE VEGETABLE CROPS TO LOCAL HUNGER RELIEF AGENCIES.