
As we celebrate two years since the opening of the market at Reed's Farm, we’ve taken some time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished in 2024. This year has been one of progress and purpose, fueled by a shared commitment to sustainability, community, and regenerative agriculture. Let’s take a closer look at some of the milestones that have defined this incredible year.
Feeding Our Community
In 2024, we remained steadfast in our commitment to addressing food insecurity and increasing access to fresh, healthy produce. This year alone, we grew over 27,000 pounds of fresh, organic food on our farm. Our market featured an impressive 115 varieties of produce, giving our customers access to a diverse array of nutritious offerings. 25,000 pounds of fresh produce were made available to members of our community via retail and wholesale channels, with all proceeds from the farm market going back to supporting our mission. Over 2,000 pounds of produce was supplied to residents of Atlantic City through donations to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and through partnerships with other organizations, with the amount expected to more than double in the coming year.
Cultivating Connections
This year, we continued fostering deeper connections with our community through exciting new programs and impactful collaborations. We introduced Feed at Reed’s, a Saturday afternoon program that invites visitors to help care for our animals, providing a hands-on educational experience for all ages. Through the Green Coalition of Atlantic City, we partnered with other nonprofits to develop infrastructure around food sovereignty and equitable distribution. Looking to the future, we finalized our 5-year permaculture plan with help from our trusted partners, Adam Dusen from Hundred Fruit Farm and Jason Gerhardt from Real Earth Design. This plan will guide the continued growth of Reed’s Farm as a hub for sustainability, education, and community engagement.
Empowering Our Community Through Vocational Programs
Our vocational programs have been at the heart of Reed’s Farm this year, and have provided numerous opportunities for learning, growth, and employment. We worked with 168 participants in 2024, providing over 2,500 hours of cumulative instruction. Of those 168, 46 were paid for their meaningful work at the farm, and we were pleased to offer employment to four individuals who began their journeys as program participants. These achievements speak to the transformative power of hands-on vocational training and education, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build pathways for community empowerment.
Launching New Initiatives
This year, we introduced two major initiatives to enhance the ways that our community connects with the farm. The launch of Reed’s Roots, our membership program, has given supporters a new way to engage with our mission while enjoying benefits like discounts and exclusive access to events. Additionally, we made our products more accessible with the introduction of our online store. This step allows customers to browse and shop for handmade goods from the comfort of their homes at any time, ensuring more people can enjoy the bounty of Reed's Farm no matter where they are.
Advancing the Farm with Key Developments
2024 was also a year of growth in the physical spaces of Reed’s Farm. One exciting accomplishment was constructing the animal therapy barn, a serene space designed to foster meaningful connections between people and animals. We also added a roof to our wash house, a practical improvement that helps ensure our produce can be processed efficiently in all weather conditions. To make navigating the farm easier and more educational, we installed new property signs that were placed throughout the grounds. These signs provide visitors with a deeper understanding of our regenerative farming practices and the farm’s layout, enriching every visit.
As we look back on 2024, it’s clear that our accomplishments were made possible by the collective efforts of our staff, program participants, and the incredible support of our community. Thank you for being part of our journey and for helping us create a space where growth, sustainability, and connection thrive. We can’t wait to see what we achieve together in the year ahead!
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