PUTNEY-The land where the Putney Farmers Market and Putney Community Garden have been located for nearly 16 years has been permanently protected as open space.
Green Commons of Vermont Inc. purchased the one-acre parcel from the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust (WWHT) after a successful campaign to raise more than $160,000, reported representatives in a news release.
The effort included a significant grant from the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) with additional support from the Windham Foundation and numerous generous donors.
The land is located across from the Putney Food Co-op, and within walking distance of the town library and Putney Meadows apartments.
"Green Commons is grateful for the support the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) and VHCB have given us in fulfilling our quest to preserve the community garden and farmers market," Thomas Deshaies, president of Green Commons, said in a news release. "We are proud to be a steward of this land, ensuring its continued vitality."
The farmers market and the garden were established next to each other on privately owned land in 2010. Now, more than 30 local vendors sell farm-fresh produce, prepared foods, and handcrafted products at the market from May through October. In the garden, area residents cultivate over 60 plots to grow food, some of which is donated to the Putney Food Shelf.
Green Commons was formed as a nonprofit by a group of local farmers, vendors, and gardeners in 2020 to secure the future of the market and garden as vital hubs. At the time, WWHT was preparing to buy a larger tract, including the one-acre garden and market parcel, for a mixed-income housing project.
The two organizations worked together to integrate housing and green space on the site. WWHT broke ground earlier in May.
Green Commons also collaborated with VLT to raise the money needed to purchase the parcel to preserve the location and keep it open for public use.
"We're gratified to have played a role in this success for the Putney community - contributing to a livable downtown with more open green space, and highlighting the role conservation can play in supporting communities to achieve these goals," said VLT Project Director Jennifer Garrett.
The farmers market, which operates seasonally on Sundays, opened on May 11.
Justin Bramhall, owner and operator of Leaping Bear Farm in Putney and member of both the Farmers Market and the Green Common boards said, "Knowing that we have long-term tenure at this site gives us the possibility of dreaming big and planning into the future" to further enhance the market.
Green Commons organizers plan to create accessible gathering places for all ages and intends to create programs and events. They said the future residents of the WWHT development will also benefit from walkable access to community garden plots, the farmers market, and open space.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.