West Hartford-based root2RISE held a very successful event at Town Hall this fall.

root2RISE Community Farm Share event. October 2024. Courtesy photo

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On Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, root2RISE hosted the Fall Community Farm Share Event (CFSE) at the West Hartford Town Hall parking lot, drawing a vibrant crowd of community members, local farmers, educators, and artists.

The event is both a celebration of harvest season and an invitation to engage in meaningful discussions around sustainability, food, and the role the local food system plays in building a resilient and just community.

Through hands-on activities like nature journaling and worm composting, a live cooking demonstration, and a panel discussion, attendees explored key questions such as: “What is a sustainable and just food system?” and “What could it look like in our community?”

root2RISE Community Farm Share event. October 2024. Courtesy photo

Supporting Local Agriculture

The CFSE was inspired by the concept of Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) and highlighted the importance of supporting local farmers and accessing fresh, healthy food. Attendees also had the opportunity to pre-order farm shares featuring seasonal produce, apples, herbal tea samples, native plant seedlings, and more.

“The structure of our community is like a beehive, everyone has a different job to do and if they are not doing their job, the colony fails collectively. We can learn so much from bees,” said Aarvah Quiñonez, Founder of the Aasaaska Foundation.

root2RISE Community Farm Share event. October 2024. Courtesy photo

CFSE highlights included:

• Nature Journaling and Worm Composting Activities: Community members learned about different ways to connect with the natural world.
• Cooking Demonstration: Local farmer Tanica Thompson from Natty Roots Gardens demonstrated creative ways to prepare seasonal produce, inspiring people to try new recipes at home.
• Panel Discussion: Farmers, educators and community members explored pathways toward a more sustainable and equitable food system.

Continuing the Mission

root2RISE remains committed to cultivating relationships between people, land, and food through education, advocacy, and action. By empowering youth and amplifying underrepresented voices, the organization continues to transform and sustain communities.

root2RISE Community Farm Share event. October 2024. Courtesy photo

What’s Next?

To stay informed about upcoming events and initiatives or to learn more about root2RISE, visit www.root2risewh.org

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