OUR TIMELINE
The seed for the Vermont Community Farm dream was planted when Samara was just six or seven years old. Over the years, she built her toolbox with professional and experiential skills that aligned with the farm's vision. Check out the timeline below to see what we have done, what we are doing, and where we are going.
2018
-
While Samara was living in South Strafford, Vermont the community farm vision started to take root as a farm was available for sale that could have been the future location of Vermont Community Farm. Even though the farm property was eventually sold to another buyer, the dream to create a community wellness farm continued to grow.
-
The first iteration of the Board of Directors was created with 7 Board Members. This initial Board Included important people in Samara’s life including a variety of yoga students, attorneys, teachers, and social justice advocates.
-
Partnership with Dartmouth’s Tuck Business School begins through the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network and also first year MBA students work on 40 hr project through their Tuck Community Consulting Group. Their focus was to create the Vermont Community Farm’s Mission Statement and they set a strategic vision for the organization and identified key customer segments and program needs to be served by VCF. Check out their final deliverable here!
2019
-
The Dream marinated and continued to manifest itself.
2020
-
Another year went by of the dream still being alive, but no work was directly being spent on it.
2021
-
Partnership with Tuck continues, a new cohort of first year MBA students work on a new 40hr project. The Tuck Community Consulting group identified community areas of interest and estimates of building costs that were aligned with specific Vermont geographic locations where the Vermont Community Farm could be located. You can look at the 2021 final deliverable here!
-
The first draft of a potential logo is created by x2 Design.
-
To prepare to become a non-profit, the by-laws were written.
-
Another year with Tuck, a new project with the Tuck Community Consulting Group, whose focus this year was to research potential foundation partnerships, created steps towards brand awareness, outlined a job description for a future intern and made connections with local colleges and universities to start the internship process. Look at the most recent project here!
-
Vermont Community Farm becomes a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit.
-
A new version of the Board of Directors is created with two people. Christina Andrle and Megan Campbell are the new board.
-
Begin working with Paul Goldman, a SCORE business advisor to help continue moving things along.
2022
2023
-
VCF hires a social media and market research intern in partnership with the University of Vermont and the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation
-
Conversations are moved along with architects and builders to continue envisioning what the farm with look like.
-
Focus is put on fundraising and learning how to best raise money for a start-up non-profit.
-
Samara begins working with a realtor to find land for the farm.
2026 and Beyond
-
Operational Board of Directors Organized
Complete PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Mentorship and Training
Land or Farm is researched
Fundraising Occurs to purchase land/farm
-
Educational Barn is renovated or built
Founders Lodge is renovated or built
Initial Staff housing is renovated or built
Initial Residential Cabins are renovated or built
Thermal Experience spa is built
Curate Community and Educational Garden with programing around Therapeutic Horticulture
-
Build Therapeutic Horse Barn
Build pastures and enclosures for horses
Build pasture, barn, and viewing area for Nigerian Dwarf goats
Build chicken barn and viewing area
Build hay and equipment barns
Plant hay fields
Additional Staff housing is built
Additional Residential Cabins are built
-
Additional Residential Cabins are built
Additional Staff housing is built, if needed
-
VCF acts a foundation or blueprint for other community farms all around the country and world
