Grayson Land Care

The highlight for the farmers market was the construction timber frame pavilion in town park by 60 members of timber framers guild which required chef jen cavey and an army of volunteers to feed them 3 awesome meals a day for 10 days. The online market thrived and provided touchless, curbside pickup during the pandemic and continued to set sales records and the market opened on schedule the 2nd friday in may with 9 new regular vendors.

The free market operated safely when possible, shut down three times when local cases surged. As a result, they focused on targeted services to agency clients needing household goods and loaned medical equipment by appointment and opened two hours a week to receive and process donations. They received a covid grant from the county, purchased an air scrubber and improved air quality and ventilation. The gift shop was held december 4th and the free market will re-open for regular hours beginning december 2nd. Independence elementary school garden became a reality with the construction of 5 raised beds, deer fencing, a decorative picket fence and screen door. Beds were planted in spring 2020 with 4th graders and kids harvested about 20 pounds of potatoes and 8 pumpkins, also lettuce, tomatoes and flowers this fall. The program received a 500 gromoregood garden grant to supplement glc funding and a twin county community foundation grant to purchase a tower garden for indoor growing.

Food independence provided an average of 189 boxes to 171 households totaling 373 people per month with an increase expected for the holidays. They are now sourcing food from feeding southwest Virginia, local supermarkets and meat suppliers and local/regional produce sources. 50+ volunteers deliver/pickup, store, pack and distribute each month. Senator tim kaine visited the pantry in april, and they were also awarded a state community development block grant for 135,000 through the town of independence to purchase supplies, equipment and food.

Equipment purchased to support food independence.