January 10th, 2012
Sustainable Nantucket would like to thank the following organizations for their recent, generous grant awards:
ReMain Nantucket has awarded SN a $7,500 grant, designed to aid SN in remaining in our downtown offices in 2012. Clif Bar Family Foundation has awarded SN a $5,000 grant to be used for operating expenses. The Agua Fund has awarded SN a $3,000 grant to be used for operating expenses. The Community Foundation of Nantucket has awarded SN a $1,000 grant to assist with our Farm to School Program.
Sustainable Nantucket would like to express our sincere gratitude to these organizations for their generous support of our mission, vision and programs.
Tags: Agriculture, Clif Bar Family Foundation, Community Agriculture, Community Character, Cottage Industry, Economic Opportunity, Education, entrepreneurs, Farm to School, Farmers & Artisans Market, Farming, Grants, Local Economy, Local Food, Nantucket Grown, ReMain Nantucket, specialty food production, Sustainability, Sustainable Farming, The Agua Fund, The Community Foundation of Nantucket
Posted in Farm to School, News
October 14th, 2011
Monday, October 10th marked Sustainable Nantucket’s first
Discover Your Garden and Family Picnic Day at the Joyce N. Furman FARM TO SCHOOL Youth Garden. Over 75 people were in attendance, with Fire Chief
Bill Pittman, Town Manager
Libby Gibson, Nantucket Garden Club President
Paulette Boling, and NPS Food Services Director
Linda Peterson among them. Attendees came to participate in SN’s annual meeting; a ribbon cutting for the Joyce N. Furman FARM TO SCHOOL Youth Garden; and Family Picnic Day.
The day opened under sunny skies with the Annual Meeting and was followed by the ribbon cutting, which was performed by School Superintendent Michael Cozort; SN Board Members Victoria McManus and Beth Davies; and 5 SN Youth Council members – Sophie Davies, Sean Allen, Norah Harrington, Orion Malfatto-Daily, and Caillean Daily. The day proceeded with garden-related activities including tours, the planting of cover crops, scarecrow making, pumpkin decorating and more. The day culminated with a Family Picnic set against a backdrop of live music performed by Nantucket band Four Easy Payments. In addition, several SN Farmers & Artisans Market vendors were on hand to sell their wares.
Executive Director Michelle Whelan noted, “It was a wonderful way to celebrate our programs and inaugurate the garden – the garden looked beautiful and we were so happy to share our progress with the community on Monday. This is a celebration that we’ll consider repeating next year.”
The Joyce N. Furman FARM TO SCHOOL Youth Garden is a project that has come to fruition thanks to the hard work and dedication of Sustainable Nantucket staff, board members, and volunteers and Nantucket Public Schools administration and students. The garden has been funded in large part by donations from individuals and businesses, all of whom will be recognized on the garden’s “Giving Wall” or on plaques throughout the garden. While reaching a milestone this Monday, the garden’s progress remains ongoing, bringing about more opportunities for community involvement through volunteering and sponsors.
Special thanks to our event sponsors: The Toy Boat and Create
Tags: Agriculture, Annual Meeting, Community Agriculture, Community Character, Discover Your Garden and Family Picnic Day, Education, Events, Farm to School, Farming, Garden Team, Joyce N. Furman, Local Economy, Local Food, organic practices, SN Youth Council, Sustainability, Sustainable Farming, Youth
Posted in Farm to School, Garden Team, News, What's New, Youth Council
September 15th, 2011
Sustainable Nantucket has launched our new COMMUNITY FARM INSTITUTE program (CFI) with a Pilot Grazing Project in partnership with the Nantucket Island Land Bank and Faraway Farms. A Sustainable Nantucket intern is working with Island livestock farmers Caleb Cressman, Dylan Wallace, Nicole DuPont and Andy Harris –all of Faraway Farms– and learning how to maintain a small flock of sheep and chickens on the Land Bank’s Craig Property.
Using low-impact rotational grazing, the team is moving the sheep and chickens around the property using portable fencing to contain the animals. Their grazing area is changed frequently on a schedule that is designed to assure the best health and nutrition for the animals, and minimal impact for the surrounding ecosystem. As the sheep graze the property, they eliminate the need for mowing, and as the chickens follow behind they act as “parasite control” as they forage for food.
The end result of this project is education for SN’s agricultural interns and Nantucket’s future farmers, access to land for Far Away Farms, and property maintenance for the Land Bank, which is also fulfilling a part of its charter to support the traditional industry of agriculture. We hope this will be the first of many cooperative farming arrangements for SN and the Land Bank.
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Tags: Agriculture, CFI, Community Agriculture, Community Character, Community Farm Institute, Cottage Industry, Economic Opportunity, Education, entrepreneurs, Far Away Farm, Local Economy, Local Food, Nantucket Island Land Bank, Opportunity, People, Pilot Grazing Project, specialty food production, Sustainability, Sustainable Farming
Posted in Community Agriculture, Community Farm Institute, News
September 15th, 2011
The Fall 2011 edition of Edible Cape Cod features a wonderful article about Sustainable Nantucket, our Programs and efforts within the community. Written by Nantucket native Susan Fernald, the article highlights our COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM, Nantucket Grown ™ brand and much more. A digital version of the magazine can be found on the Edible Cape Cod web site, and hard copies of the magazine can be found in businesses on the Cape – all listed here.
Our thanks to Susan and Edible Cape Cod!
Tags: Agriculture, Articles, backyard gardening, Community Agriculture, Edible Cape Cod, Farm to School, Farmers & Artisans Market, Farming, Mid-Island Farmers Market, Nantucket Grown, Susan Fernald, Sustainable Farming
Posted in Announcements, Community Agriculture, Farm to School, Farmers & Artisans Market, Nantucket Grown, News
September 7th, 2011
The first season of Sustainable Nantucket’s Mid-Island Farmers Market at 113 Pleasant Street has come to a close, but SN staff and volunteers, encouraged by the positive response to the Market, are already thinking ahead to the 2012 season.
The Mid-Island Market, which ran from July 12th through August 30th, was conceived with the goal of making the Market experience convenient and accessible for those who are unable to attend the Saturday Farmers & Artisans Market at its downtown location, and for those who would like to supplement their Saturday Market shopping. The Mid-Island Market featured Island growers and food vendors only – unlike the Saturday Market which also includes Artisan vendors. SN has recognized the need for a mid-island, mid-week Market for some time, and after much hard work and planning on the part of SN staff and Market committee members, was finally able to make this Market a reality for the height of the summer season – July 12th through August 30th.
Market attendance nearly doubled over the course of seven weeks, and shoppers at the Tuesday Market responded positively to the location and hours. Some shared constructive feedback about the things they’d like to see at next year’s Mid-Island Market, and that feedback will be taken into consideration during the planning stages for the 2012 season.
Mid-Island Market information, along with the Downtown Farmer & Artisans Market information, vendor applications, and handbooks for the 2012 season will be available in early 2012.
Tags: Agriculture, backyard gardening, Community Agriculture, Community Character, Cottage Industry, Economic Opportunity, entrepreneurs, Farming, Local Economy, Local Food, Mid-Island Farmers Market, Nantucket Grown, specialty food production, Sustainability, Sustainable Farming
Posted in Farmers & Artisans Market, News
September 1st, 2011
Sustainable Nantucket is seeking a part-time development intern for Fall 2011. Excellent opportunity to gain experience in development and non-profit work.
The intern will work under the Development Coordinator updating the database, performing research, assisting with fundraising campaigns, solicitations and events, and various support activities. 10-25 hours per week.
Required Attributes & Skills: Ability to work independently, working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, attention to detail, reliability.
Preferred Attributes & Experience: Interest in sustainable agriculture, experience with Giftworks, prior experience working in a non-profit setting and/or on fundraising events.
Please send brief cover letter and resume to Rachael@sustainablenantucket.org.
Tags: Opportunity
Posted in Announcements, News
August 19th, 2011
Sustainable Nantucket is seeking to fill the position of Market Manager for the 2012 season. Applicants should have a passionate interest in working with local community members, stimulating the local economy, and helping to create policies that benefit the awareness and availability of local produce and locally made items. Each applicant should have solid research, writing, interpersonal and communication skills, and strong Microsoft Office computer skills. Each applicant should have some event planning and/or service industry experience.
Market Manager Responsibilities:
• Work with Program Manager to develop Market budget
• Manage Market expenses within approved budget
• Recruit & manage volunteers during season
• Design & order product inventory
• Work with Market Committee to formulate current Market policy, review vendor applicants
and generate new ideas. Draft agendas, facilitate meetings, send out follow-up memos and task
lists, coordinate committee activities.
• Coordinate 2 Market days per week:
o Planning: research, outreach, scheduling, inventory, permits, finances, etc.
o On-site: Overall set up, PR/volunteer/ vendor management, collection of fees, customer
relations, break-down etc.
• Vendor management – application process, correspondence, schedules, lay-out
• Attend Market Manager Conference
• Coordinate and hold Market workshop
Compensation & Hours:
• Annual Salary – Commensurate with experience
• This is a year round position – hours to be discussed and will vary seasonally.
Tags: Agriculture, Community Agriculture, Community Character, Economic Opportunity, Farmers & Artisans Market, Farming, job opening, Local Economy, Local Food, Market Manager, Mid-Island Farmers Market, Opportunity, People, Position, Sustainability, Sustainable Farming
Posted in Announcements, Community Agriculture, Farmers & Artisans Market, Market Announcements, News
On September 24th, Sustainable Nantucket and Far Away Farms intern Justine Paradise; Sustainable Nantucket’s Farm-to-School intern Elizabeth Murphy; and community volunteer Zack Dusseau lead a team of volunteers in tending Sustainable Nantucket’s Small Friends Garden as part of 
Sustainable Nantucket is thrilled to announce that its Farm to School Program has received a generous $5,000 grant from the Nantucket Garden Club. The funds received will be used for garden infrastructure, including loam and compost, a slow-drip irrigation system, supplies for preserving food grown in the garden, and more.
Sustainable Nantucket’s Farm to School Program has been awarded a generous $15,000 grant from the 
