The Rondout Valley Growers Association (RVGA) has occupied a unique role in the local agricultural community. It’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the local food system and supporting the region's vital farming heritage.

Executive Director Matt Igoe, a steadfast advocate within the Rondout Valley’s agricultural landscape, has helmed the group since 2017. The organization now encompasses 121 farms and farmers, and attempts to collaboration and providing crucial support between its members.

To offer the journalist a firsthand look at the vibrant community fostered by RVGA, he arranged a visit to Clove Valley Community Farm in High Falls. Aileah Kvashay has managed the farm for the past 16 years, and we got to check in on its annual plant sale. During the visit, a diverse array of plants, including herbs, perennials, vegetables, and flowers, were available for purchase, showcasing the fruits (and vegetables) of the farm's labor.

It was also the farm’s weekly community day – every Thursday, Clove Valley Community Farm opens its doors for a communal gathering, inviting members, volunteers, and the public to share a meal.

Kvashay had worked on a number of farms, including a stint “WOOFing” for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms before establishing Clove Valley. That spirit is carried over in its operations.

The farm operates without official staff, relying entirely on a community-supported agriculture (CSA) model, in which, members and volunteers, many of whom also reside on the property, collaborate and share the crops. This once-unconventional approach has been growing in popularity across the country, particularly since the pandemic. Visitors can purchase items, such as four-packs of plants for $5, using cash or Venmo.

Rondout Valley Growers offers tangible help to its members. New York State allocates $18,000 annually to RVG, the majority, roughly $15,000, is directly distributed to 8-12 local farms through economic development grants. Additional funding for these grants, plus other RVG initiatives, comes from the organization's own balance and fundraising efforts.