Who We Are
Our Mission
Common Roots connects farmers, educators, youth, and community members to build a sustainable future through food and land stewardship education. By collectively growing food for our programs and food shelves, we celebrate the soil and soul of community. Our regenerative farming practices provide food and soil security nurturing our common roots.
Our Grassroots
Common Roots grew out of a gathering of parents, teachers, and farmers who originally met in 2005 to discuss health, nutrition, and food systems. Today we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit community organization connecting farmers, educators, youth, families, and the wider community in building a sustainable future through our education and service programs.
Our Vision
"Nourish to Flourish"
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Natural Resource Stewardship – Our mission is deeply centered on finding harmony between human, animal and plant species, our shared ecosystems, through preservation and restoration of wildlife corridors, maintaining clean waterways, soil fertility, biodiversity and encouraging use of renewable energy sources through:
Working with land-based programs and enterprises that have integrative models, with both city and private entities using regenerative soil practices at the Farm at South Village, Underwood property and at the Wheeler Homestead.
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Native Studies of our Community Roots – Our mission engages community members in learning their local history, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and economy through Gatherings on the land. In this model, students, teachers, and community members of all ages work together to build a more vibrant ecosystem, solve civic and environmental problems through inquiry, with collaboration through:
Building a curriculum for all ages and hands-on learning opportunities, including field trips, and other community Gatherings on the land
Support education on our farmlands that honor the Abenaki people.
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Building the Culture of Wellness – Our programs, farms and Farmstand engage community members of all ages, interests, and experience in its educational, agricultural, and stewardship initiatives through:
Growing organic food and processing produce in our licensed kitchen
Farm to School lessons and videos for children preschool through grade 5
Farm to Go, after-school nutrition and cooking program with middle school students
Setting up a Farmstand at the South Burlington Food Shelf each time is open May through Thanksgiving. We provide organic farm produce and house-made products for families and households in need.
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Sustainability – By uniting people, place, and planet we demonstrate a unique approach to community building, sustainable development, thriving soils, enlightened educational opportunities, and food security.
