PUTNEY — What is the future of the Putney Community Garden and Farmers' Market? That is a question that a newly-formed nonprofit, Green Commons of Vermont, seeks to answer.
According to Emma Bliss, a member of Green Commons' board of directors, some members of the garden and farmers' market, along with several community members, have created the organization.
“As you might know, Windham and Windsor Housing Trust is purchasing the property currently held by Putney Gateway Associates to build housing,” Bliss wrote in a news release. “Our goal is to purchase a portion of the land and preserve it for public use.”
The basic mission of Green Commons of Vermont “is to acquire and preserve green spaces for the community, to promote local agriculture, and to make food accessible to everyone. This includes the continued success of both the community garden and farmers' market,” Bliss wrote.
Beyond that, Bliss said, the project organizers “are striving to provide a public space for recreation and relaxation where our whole community can thrive.”
Green Commons expects to gain tax-exempt status from the IRS later this fall and begin fundraising to buy the property. It was incorporated as a Vermont nonprofit in June.
Other board members include Tom Deshaies, Louise Garfield, Lindsay Reopelle, Linda Smith, and Gino Palmeri.
The group will be co-hosting a community forum with Windham & Windsor Housing Trust via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. Visit bit.ly/578_greencommons to RSVP for this event.
For more information about Green Commons, email [email protected].