Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming is committed to supporting farmers, food system workers, community members, and especially those most vulnerable during this trying time. We’re undergoing a double transition: adapting to digital alternatives during the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting new Interim leadership. Welcoming Interim Leaders. Groundswell Executive Director, Elizabeth Gabriel, gave birth to…

Dirt under his nails and a warm smile behind a scraggly beard, John Whitmore of Shagbark Gardens in Danby, NY sat down with me on Tuesday to reflect on his experience in the “Grow Your Farm Business Course”, held every winter here at Groundswell. Situated atop the Autumn Leaves Book Store in a cozy little…

Sara Sirois is the owner and operator of Georgic Farm located in beautiful Virgil, New York. This is Georgic Farm’s first operational year, mainly driven by CSA sales. Sara’s journey into agriculture is one we can all relate to – and of course, be inspired by. A recent grad of Groundswell’s Grow Your Farm Business…

Krystal Zwiesineyi Chindori-Chininga is a senior International Agriculture and Rural Development Major at Cornell University. Originally from Zimbabwe, her experience with community agriculture organizing around the world has given her a unique perspective as the youngest member on Groundswell Center’s Equity & Accountability Committee. She also is currently working with our Director to draft new organizational Diversity and Equity…

Interview and article by: Nico Hirscl, Cornell University William Htoo is the newest farmer at Groundswell Center’s Farm Business Incubator Program, and just completed his first growing season. William is a refugee from Burma (also known as Myanmar) and came to Ithaca, NY in 2011. William and I sat down to have a conversation about…

Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming in Ithaca, NY coordinated a Community Caravan of 18 people from Ithaca to Grafton, NY, outside of Albany, for a Day of Community Farm work, with over 100 others from all over the Northeast, at Soul Fire Farm. We collectively accomplished, what seemed like close to a week’s worth of farm…

This fall Groundswell welcomes three inspiring students to our team! Two Cornell SC Johnson Graduate School Board Fellow’s have joined our Board of Directors this year. The Johnson Board Fellowship aims to provide MBA students an opportunity for professional development through service on non-profit Board of Directors. The Board Fellowship allows for strengthening ties between…

Come visit Incubator Farmers, Paw Pha and Poe Htoo, at the Farmers Market! Paw’s Veggie Farm Wednesdays 4-7pm East Hill Plaza Farmers Market 380 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca Fresh, Sustainably-grown Asian Vegetables

We’re thrilled to welcome Adriana Pickett-Becerra as the new Business Development & ESL Program Coordinator. Adriana’s role at Groundswell is multi-faceted. She is available to provide individual one-to-one guidance to beginning farmers with business development, financial planning and navigating resource opportunities locally or Federally. She is also working closely with our community partners to develop…

Allan and Bob Cat, owners of Main Street Farms in Homer NY, are graduates of Groundswell Center programs who now operate a small diversified vegetable farm that does CSA and wholesale and farmers markets. They currently have 30 acres in vegetables, 15 in cover crop, a aquaponic operation, and a plan to farm their entire…

Faces of Groundswell

The significance of our local food system: Groundswell’s response to COVID-19

Connecting Community Through Food: An Interview With Up-and-Coming Local Farmer, John Whitmore

Instant Inspiration: An Interview with Sara Sirois

Instant Inspiration: Krystal Z

Newest grower at Incubator Farm has flourishing first season

November 10th Community Farm Day at Soul Fire Farm

Our New Interns and Fellows: Welcome Mary-Kate, Mark, and Eli!

Paw’s Veggie Farm at Market

Welcoming Adriana to Groundswell!

Groundswell Story: Main Street Farms