I Am the Farmer: Abbie Corse Reflects on Farming and Mothering

NOFA-VT’s mission as a leader in promoting a healthy, sustainable food system that works for the betterment of people in VT as well as all life on this planet, is crucial now and on into the future.
Thanks to your team for taking the lead on this policy issue. Your attention to detail and clear understanding of the structure and implications of the legislation allows us to be pointed in our advocacy.
We're NOFA-VT members because we respect and appreciate the hard work that NOFA-VT does to support Vermont farmers, improve access to organic food in our communities, and advocate for Vermont organic farms on a local and national level.
The quality and quantity of food we get through our CSA is incredible. It makes being healthy possible for my family. We don't have to sacrifice the quality of our food just because we are lower income.
The Abenaki Land Link Project has been an amazing success story. As a disadvantaged population with extensive health disparities, this project has been a lifeline in accessing healthy foods sources to our Abenaki citizens. Food has always been a universal language among people. This program brings people of different races and backgrounds together to learn about each other and the food we all share.
We're always impressed at the breadth of good work that NOFA-VT manages under its umbrella. Just in the past few weeks we got to be part of the effective state advocacy work that you led, we received helpful technical support from the farmer services team, and are participating in the farm share program to get CSA shares to people in need in our community. NOFA-VT does such a wide spectrum of work to support farms like ours!
My garden was my sanity when I was furloughed in March, my therapy when I was terminated from my job in June, and my savior throughout the summer. I feel grateful to have learned to can, pickle, dry, and freeze the abundance for the months to come.
Having a safe space to share our struggles was amazing. I was able to ask for and receive advice relating to farming and caregiving, and forged lasting relationships.
A big part of our farm business is selling to restaurants and for agritourism events. When the pandemic hit, our orders and events started to get cancelled and we had to pivot quickly. With the help of NOFA-VT’s farmer services team, we started a CSA. They helped us navigate this change quickly and effectively, and provided invaluable resources for us that we will be able to use for years to come!