In the rolling hills of the Northern Catskills, a quiet revolution is taking place. At the heart of this movement is the Catskills Agrarian Alliance, a community-led initiative dedicated to fostering a vibrant, equitable food system through production, distribution and farmer training.
Our mission is simple yet profound: To reshape the agricultural landscape in our region by scaling our local farm economy through collaboration as we center the needs of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. We believe that access to healthy, local and sustainably-produced food is a fundamental right, not a privilege. This belief drives every aspect of our work, from the crops we grow to the partnerships we cultivate.
What sets CAA apart from other nonprofits is our hands-on involvement in food production and distribution. Unlike organizations that primarily offer technical assistance, we get our hands dirty — literally. Through our programs, including fostering farm incubation at West Branch Commons and production farming for mutual aid at Star Route Farm, we provide regenerative agriculture training and create land access opportunities for new and emerging farmers. This holistic approach supports farmers by creating markets, connecting them to those markets, and providing a place for new farms and farmers to thrive.
Inclusivity is at the core of our operations. We prioritize access to land, training and resources for historically marginalized communities, ensuring that culturally appropriate, nutritious food reaches those who need it most. Our efforts span from Upstate New York to New York City, bridging the gap between rural farmers and urban consumers.
CAA’s roots run deep. Our organization grew from a decade-long collaborative effort among farmers in Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties. What began as the Lucky Dog Food Hub evolved into The 607 CSA, a program designed to ensure food security for the New York City foodshed by scaling through collaboration rather than consolidation. The CSA and its cooperative spirit remain at the heart of everything we do.
Operating from facilities in Charlotteville and Hamden, we partner with organizations such as Essex Food Hub, Choy Commons and GrowNYC, extending our reach into the Hudson Valley, New York City, the Adirondacks, and as far as Vermont. In a region with limited trucking options, our network plays a crucial role in ensuring that fresh, local produce reaches communities far and wide.
Our impact speaks for itself. We collaborate with more than 53 small-scale, sustainable family farms, providing direct-to-consumer produce to more than 2,760 individuals, including 306 discounted or solidarity shares in the Catskills and New York City. Beyond our CSA program, we support mutual aid efforts, distributing more than five tons of food weekly, and partner with schools to make local food accessible to thousands of students.
Of course, this work is not without its challenges. Increased trucking expenses and navigating the shifting environmental, social and political landscape are just a few of the hurdles we face. Yet, with challenges come opportunities. For example, we’re looking into leasing our own truck to increase efficiencies and cut costs; our participation in the NY Food Hub Collaborative is another step toward enhancing the economic viability of our mid-tier value chain partners: advocating for an equitable version of the Farm Bill and growing interest in regionalism present further opportunities to advance resilient rural planning patterns.
As we look to the future, we seek funding to sustain and grow our operations. Our goals include expanding to year-round operations, improving market access for socially disadvantaged producers and expanding technical assistance to support our network of farms and mutual aid partners with compliance so that they might have more access to wholesale markets and fair compensation. With your support, we can continue to make a tangible difference in our communities, fostering a food system that is not only sustainable but also just and inclusive.