One family has taken a unique approach to food security issues in Athens County by educating the community on self-sustainability and donating almost all foods produced on its farm to local charities.
Paul and Sara Clever established Good Earth Farm in the summer of 2008 as a way to grow and distribute fresh produce in Athens County. The Good Earth team teaches people, especially those facing hunger, the importance of knowing how to garden and live a self-sustainable life.
Paul Clever, the farm manager, believes that although the county might be cash-poor
it is always land-rich. He employs the theory that staying connected to the land will benefit the community because the land will always be able to provide food in times of need, a belief reflected in the farm's motto, sharing the joy of food with all who hunger.
Good Earth Farm has distributed to more than 35 locations in past seasons; however, it donated most of the food to Community Food Initiatives' Donation Station this year.
The Donation Station is a local non-profit organization that accepts donations of only fresh produce and locally-grown food, distributing to about 40 local service agencies. It acquires produce from community gardeners, Athens Farmers Market and the Chesterhill Produce Auction. Good Earth Farm contributed about 33 percent of the 60,000 pounds of produce that the Donation Station collected in 2009, said Ronda Clark, executive director of Community Food Initiatives.
We battle hunger try to increase the health of our residents and teach people how to live closer to the earth Clark said.
The Clever family opens their four-acre farm to the community every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Working on a farm
there's never a shortage of work to do and I think that's a good model for service
Paul Clever said.
Ohio University students make up about half of the volunteers that participate every weekend. One of these students is Dan Continenza, a senior studying plant biology, who has been volunteering at the farm since June.
A bonding community
I think
is going to be a key element in the development of the world today
Continenza said. If we all bring ourselves to the same level and help each other rise up from there
there would be no class struggle or separation.
Good Earth Farm aims to grow and donate more than 20,000 pounds of produce in 2010.
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