The Rotary Club of Akron enjoyed listening to Tracy Emrick, CEO of Countryside Conservancy along with Marilyn Wotowiec, a volunteer with Countryside, at our Tuesday, March 22nd meeting.
What is Countryside?
Countryside was created in 1999 to help the Cuyahoga Valley National Park solve the problem of how to conserve the quickly disappearing rural character of the Valley – the dozens of once vibrant farmsteads had fallen to the plow of industrialization and the concentration of our food system.
Countryside began by helping the park identify the farms with the highest potential to be resuscitated. A competitive Request for Proposals was developed to attract like-minded people who wanted to realize their small farm dream while being part of something bigger than themselves – the Countryside Initiative program.
Countryside next set out to build a community to support these new farmers’ enterprises. They began a farmers’ market program in 2004, first in CVNP to offer the Countryside Initiative Farms direct to consumer access, and then, soon after, in Akron to expand the opportunity for producers and consumers regionally.
It was also clear from the beginning that small farms attracted new farmers and connecting them to educational and technical resources would play a vital role in their development and sustainability. Countryside U was launched as an educational tool where people considering farming could explore their small farm dream, and where growers could hone necessary skills like propagation and season extension.
What is Countryside’s Mission?
Their mission is to connect people, food and land through programs, advocacy, and education. They work to ensure that people have access to local, healthy food; that farm and food entrepreneurs have the resources to operate viable businesses; and that farmland is protected and preserved.
What is their Vision?
They envision healthy soils, waterways and communities that demonstrate farmland, farmers and food entrepreneurs can thrive in concert with the ecosystem and that farmland remains a healthy, cherished resource. All the while, creating a culture where good, local food is accessible to all.
What are some of their Initiatives?
This innovative program began in 1999 to preserve and protect the rural landscape in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. To date, there are over a dozen restored farm properties in the program. The farms and Countryside bring in over 100,000 people into the park each year and have an economic impact of over a million dollars per year
This program connects beginning farmers with valuable resources through agricultural technical assistance, business support, farm link, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities. The goal is to create a hands-on learning environment, paired with classroom style workshops, to inspire and educate those who are passionate about pursuing a career in agriculture.
Countryside began managing the first farmers’ markets in a National Park in 2004. They host 3 seasonal markets, providing year-round access to locally produced foods and goods. They serve 80+ vendors and 50,000+ customers each year. Since 2014, annual vendor sales have exceeded $1 million.
Countryside Farmers' Markets accept SNAP (food assistance) and offer Produce Perks, a matching incentive for the purchase of locally grown, fresh produce. Countryside is a regional spoke for the Produce Perks program and facilitates it in a 4-county region. They accept WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Vouchers, and offer Carrot Cash, a nutrition incentive for WIC clients.
What has been their impact in 2021?
- Over 2,000 + farmland acres supported by their programs
- 23 years in partnership with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Over $500,000 in Farmers’ Market earnings for farmers specifically
- 4,500 + hours of farm intern on-the-job training at 17 northeast Ohio mentor farms
- 570 hours of intern classroom and instructional training
- $237,000 redeemed in food assistance for low-income families
- $762,000 + collectively earned by local, small businesses at Howe Meadow
How can we help their mission?
There are many ways individuals can assist Countryside. The easiest way is to participate in their Farmers Market. The organization is currently beginning a fund-raising campaign to raise funds to purchase a food truck that will be able to provide food to some of the area “food deserts.” There are individuals who are not able to get to their food markets and/or live in areas that have no reliable source of food (food deserts).
To learn more about Countryside, their programs, volunteer opportunities, etc. you can visit their website at https://countrysidefoodandfarms.org.
Yours in Rotary Service -
Terry Dalton
Akron Club Secretary and Scholarship Chair
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