Consider joining one of the Action Teams, which meet in small groups to work on specific subjects. Email info@savethefarm.net to join.
Communications
The Communications Action Team works on external and internal communications such as: website and social media content, messaging, media interviews, advertising (such as lit drops & yard signs), donor and investor relations, improving group agreements & processes, sending out meeting agendas/minutes, and reaching out to the community and elected officials. Help spread the word about Save the Farm!
Diversity / Inclusion
The Diversity/Inclusion Action Team aims to create a space to discuss, prioritize, equalize and align racial, economic, social, and humanist based values into the initiative when and after the Voit Farm land in Madison, WI is purchased. This platform will help build a bridge of inclusion and accessibility versus exclusion and privilege for finding new and innovative ways to bring affordable housing, urban agricultural and environmental sustainability through purchase and community development of Voit Farm.
We also commit to listening to, fully understanding, and pushing this project and the broader City of Madison to correct the injustices experienced by Christopher D. Sims and so many others like him, as outlined in his recent poignant article: Housing Injustice And Inequity In Madison, Wisconsin: A Personal Experience.
Grants / Concept Plan
The Grants/Concept Plan team has two objectives: to bring in more financial resources to clarify the details of the project, and to embody those details in a living document. The team aims to distill the work of other action teams into written & visual form, with the help of professional consultants and other experts. This document will serve to communicate the vision and feasibility of the project to the community, funders, and municipal stakeholders.
Legal / Finance
The purpose of the Legal/Finance action team is to work with attorneys and organizations similar to Save the Farm to develop a legal structure that best integrates the interests of all entities involved in the purchase of the land. We are reviewing how entities organized as a charitable nonprofit, community land trust, and investment cooperative could take on symbiotic ownership roles. This action team also coordinates how purchase price funding from the general public, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and CDFI’s will interact with the ownership structure.
Urban Agriculture
The primary goal of the Urban Agriculture Action Team is to understand and implement food justice goals with a 20 acre urban farm. We believe healthy food for all is a human right and we wish to implement programs that provide access to healthy food for everyone, in particular marginalized communities of color. We are exploring initiatives including community gardens, a commercial prep kitchen, a farming co-op, and other programs that will enable those who live off the land to earn a living wage and those who live onsite–up to 1000 families, to be connected to farming, soil, and healthy food systems.
Conservation
The goal of this team is to protect and restore the northern half the Voit property as a nature conservancy, with 32 acres largely comprised of wetlands, upland prairie and forest, floodplains and a quarry pond. Conjoined with Starkweather Conservation Park to the East, and continuing the “green corridor” along Starkweather Creek from Olbrich and OB Sherry Parks to the south, this area offers a unique opportunity to expand essential riparian habitat while creating a valuable area resource for public access, education and enjoyment. The team works with non-profit and governmental bodies to determine appropriate land designation and funding opportunities to preserve and enhance this as a conservation easement with appropriate City zoning.
If you are interested in joining an Action Team, please email info@savethefarm.net and we will connect you with the Action Team leader.