History Timeline of Gather New Haven
The New Haven Land Trust was founded in February 1982 “with the aim of preserving remaining open space in the City and finding innovative ways for neighborhoods to use open lands.”
The New Haven Land Trust begins focusing thorough energy on environmental education. The Land Trust soon began leading out regular walks in both potential and current land preserves.
As community members began viewing the vacant lots in their neighborhoods as an opportunity, clearing out the lots for garden space, NHLT extended their focus beyond conservation into community gardening.
Years later, parts of Meadow View, South End Marsh, Quinnipiac River Marsh, and Essex Street Marsh were preserved and the mission and work expanding from land preservation to include education and community development.
A local Fair Haven business, Chabaso Bakery, started an organic vegetable garden for its employees.
Chabaso partnered with Fair Haven Community Health Center (FHCHC)’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to manage the garden. Rebecca Kline, the garden manager called a meeting with community members to scale up the garden initiative.
New Haven Farms (NHF) applies to receive 501c3 status. NHF began accepting donations with FHCHC as a fiscal agent.
NHF receives 501c3 status. NHF plants farms at Market & James St., Shelter and Clay and Liberty Street. NHF begins preparing a plot for their Phoenix Press Farm. NHF works with Cooking Matters to deliver first FBWP.
A Farm Manager is hired. NHF serves 40 families through Farm-Based Wellness Program (FBWP). Classes are offered bilingually in English & Spanish. Phoenix Press Farm is added.
NHF breaks ground on Ferry Street Farm site and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is launched.
The collaboration of NHLT and NHF begins. In collaboration with the New Haven Land Trust (NHLT), 20 families joined the inaugural Incubator Garden Program, providing families with garden beds & teaching them to grow their own food.
NHLT initiates a year-long Growing Entrepreneurs program designed for High School Students.
NHF’s Community Health Ambassador (CHA) program is launched, inviting past graduates to serve as mentors to new participants. NHF installs its first heated greenhouse in December. Farm Stand is launched on Ferry Street.
By 2016, 30 families are involved in the Incubator Garden Program.
NHLT absorbs Schooner Inc., introducing the Schooner Camp as new program for youth. The Growing Entrepreneurs Program official curriculum is established, expanding the program to a two-year experience.
Groundbreaking of Ward St. Farm in the Hill North. NHF partners with CARE to launch garden at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) & pilot FBWP.
New Haven Farms and New Haven Land Trust relocate to a new, shared office space on Grand Ave and begin working side by side.
For the first time, NHF offers the FBWP separately in English & Spanish.
New Haven Farms ceases the Community Supported Agriculture Program in an effort to better allocate their resources for the purpose of their mission, replacing the CSA with Farm Stand Pre-Pay.
New Haven Farms partners with the Growing Entrepreneurs program, offering a farming track as a second option to the pre-existing business track.
New Haven Land Trust and New Haven Farms officially merge, becoming Gather New Haven.