Photo of the high tunnel at Phillies Bridge by Jim Longbotham.
Located on 65 acres of land in the traditional territory of the Lenape people in New Paltz, NY, Phillies Bridge Farm Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs a CSA (community supported agriculture)—a sustainable working farm that grows vegetables and herbs using organic methods for shareholders and local markets. As part of their food justice mission, Phillies Bridge offers a sliding scale to CSA members who need it. Through a summer camp and other programs, they educate people of all ages about the natural world and growing healthy food.
We spoke with former Phillies Bridge Board of Directors President Sarah J. “Sally” Vasse (president 2014–2016, board of directors member 2004–2010, and member of Phillies Bridge Farm CSA since its first year, 1995).
In honor of our 40th Year Anniversary, Mohonk Consultations is revisiting some key partnerships with organizations that we are excited to have played a role in from their very inceptions. This is one in a series of these conversations.
MC: Phillies Bridge Farm Project has a special relationship with Mohonk Consultations. Can you tell the story of how it was founded?
SV: Helen Vukasin, a founder of Mohonk Consultations in 1980, was also a founder of Phillies Bridge Farm Project. Here is the story:
Farmed by the LeFevre family for seven generations, the land and its buildings would change hands several times before James Jr. and Mary Ottaway became its owners in 1984. Deeply committed to the preservation of open space and agricultural sustainability, during their 12-year stay on the farm the Ottaways were approached by Dan Guenther of the Working Group on Family Farms, and Helen Vukasin, founder and then chair of the board of Mohonk Consultations, to create a demonstration farm that would focus on organic techniques and community education. This became The Phillies Bridge Farm Project in 1999. In 2002 the Ottaways generously donated the farm and its historic buildings to the Project when it became a nonprofit organization. Later the farm obtained one of the first preservation easements held by the Wallkill Valley Land Trust.
[Ed. Note: You can read more about the history of Phillies Bridge on its website, www.philliesbridge.org ]
MC: Looking back over the history of your organization, what achievement(s) give you the most satisfaction and joy?
SV: It is a joy this year to be celebrating 25 years as a successful, extraordinary nonprofit CSA farm in the New Paltz area. This year we had a sold-out CSA membership that included generous donations through our Food Justice mission serving people in need with fresh vegetables, and we built a great high tunnel to increase our abundance of produce. Also, our 8-week STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Summer Camp for children, ages 4 to 12, was very popular.
MC: Looking ahead, what do you see in terms of your aims and vision for serving the community?
SV: Responsible stewardship of this farm and its threefold mission of sustainable farming, education, and food justice is a continuing challenge that will always need dedicated members and volunteers, generous donors and active successful fundraising. Phillies Bridge Farm Project is managed by a volunteer board of directors, a full-time farm manager, and a part-time camp director and administrative coordinator. This year I see a thriving, vital organization with many enthusiastic members, including young families; expanded marketing, service to people in need; a fine summer camp experience for children; and education of future farmers as apprentices and farm educators. With this year’s current health and economic crises, I see joy in having healthy local farm produce for our community, and in the beauty of the land and walks on the Nature Trail. We hope fun farm events will happen again soon. It is great to see that Phillies Bridge Farm Project’s original founders, including Mohonk Consultations member Sandra Smiley, the Ottaways, and Dan Guenther, are still active in this farm! Our excellent farm staff and volunteer board of directors have great plans for the future! Aims and visions for serving the community will always require vigorous successful fundraising and generous people to support this Farm Project in the time ahead.
