Organic farm grows community ties In its third season, cooperative seeks to expand its reach

By John Vandiver
Daily Times Staff Writer

BIVALVE -- Jay Martin along with roughly 100 partners is entering his third season at Provident Farm, with a mission to bring more organically grown produce to the Lower Shore.

The community-owned operation is working to expand a project called "Share the Harvest," which will provide churches and charitable groups with an opportunity to become partners in the farm, and in the process provide fruit and vegetables to needy families.

"Last season we worked with a food pantry and were able to help three families," Martin said.

This year, the Bivalve farm hopes to get more charitable groups involved in the effort.

Provident Farm operates in the community-supported agriculture tradition that began in post-World War II Japan, when the country began to urbanize and people became concerned about their food supply.

Members, or shareholders, pay $530 and receive freshly picked organic produce each week from May to November. People who volunteer time on the farm get a $100 discount. The 14-acre farm produces a range of vegetables, from lettuce and asparagus to peppers and carrots.

Amy Liebman, a shareholder who helps run the farm, said the project is evolving into a community endeavor.

"We have a lot of people helping with the harvest. It really reconnects people," she said.

Provident Farm has survived its first two years, despite a drought and a summer of excessive rain.

"We didn't get any blessings from the weather," said Martin, who hopes to expand Provident Farm's reach into the community in the coming years.

Provident Farm also is in the process of forming a nonprofit offshoot to help the region's growing Hispanic community, particularly those involved in farming.

"We want to locate some of these people and help them get started with organic farming," Martin said.

In addition to growing its membership, Martin said the eventual goal is to establish Provident Farm as a learning center for organic growing practices, while building on its community outreach efforts.

"Food is the vehicle, community is the destination," he said.

For information about Provident Farm, call 410-860-9850.

Originally published Friday, January 16, 2004