About Us
Mission
The purpose of Countryside Conservancy is to connect people, food, and land by increasing public awareness of how food and farming impact personal, community, and environmental health; and by inspiring personal commitment to building a resilient, sustainable food culture.
We pursue our purpose across Northeast Ohio through numerous regional collaborations, and a unique partnership with Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
History
The Countryside Conservancy was established in 1999 as a cooperating partner of CVNP, and during its first four years focused primarily on rehabilitating and revitalizing the old farms still surviving within park boundaries. That project, called the Countryside Initiative, is unique in North America. Eleven rehabilitated farms are currently operational. A total of 13 farms may be operational by 2014.
In 2004, Countryside established a farmers’ market in Peninsula - the first in a National Park - and a second market in downtown Akron in 2005. The Peninsula Market was moved to Howe Meadow, CVNP’s main festival field, in 2009.
In 2006, The Farmland Center became a “program center” within Countryside – expanding the organization’s work programmatically to include farmland protection, and geographically to include Northeast Ohio as a whole. Since, 1999, Countryside has developed numerous educational programs to support new farmers, as well as engage the general public. Over its first decade, Countryside’s work has come to include programs related to the key links in a sustainable food chain – farmland, farmers, food, and community.
Values
- Integrity – We are honest, responsible and accountable for our work. We walk our talk.
- Land Stewardship – We care for the soil and natural resources necessary for providing sustenance.
- Community Building – We empower and mobilize community engagement and entrepreneurship for the Common Good.