Sweet Pea Farm Deer Fence
Donation protected
Sweet Pea Farm is a new farm business owned and operated by Kathan Teepe. On October 28, 2017, Sweet Pea Farm entered into a two-acre lease agreement with the Ricci Family on the historic Amos Greene Farm in Charlestown, RI. In 2019, the lease will expand to include an additional one-acre plot. Amos Greene Farm is an important piece of Rhode Island history and Sweet Pea Farm is thrilled to be a part of its newest chapter. This campaign is to raise money to construct a deer fence to protect Sweet Pea Farm's crops from wildlife.
Kathan has been working in farming in some capacity for the majority of her career. It has been her dream to own a farm business since she fell in love with farming as a college intern almost ten years ago. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Franklin & Marshall College, a Certificate in Sustainable Farming from the University of Vermont, and a Certificate in Floral Artistry Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. Aside from working on farms with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, she was also the CSA Coordinator for a 3,000+-member CSA in Lancaster, PA and founded and managed a 40-member CSA as the Vegetable Production Manager at Phantom Farms in Cumberland, RI.
The mission statement of Sweet Pea Farm is to produce sustainably-grown vegetables and cut flowers for its community. This year Sweet Pea Farm is running a CSA program with an on-farm pick-up in Charlestown as well as a pick-up on the West End of Providence. Sweet Pea Farm began accepting sign-ups for this program this February with the goal of reaching 60 members. Additional marketing outlets will include several wholesale accounts such as grocery stores and florists as well as floral design for weddings and private events.
Sweet Pea Farm needs to construct a deer fence around its two fields this spring. The fence will consist of 12’ T-posts spaced every 10’ apart. T-posts will be sunk 4’ in the ground, exposing 8’ above ground. 4' chicken wire will be wrapped around the bottom of the fencing (2' below ground and 2' above ground) as further protection from woodchucks and rabbits.
The design currently allows for four gates in the fence, three of which are simply constructed fencing material with wooden support. The gate closest to the access road will be more thoughtfully designed within the historical context of the Amos Greene Farm. This will be a double wooden gate, hinged on heavy steel post embedded in concrete.
The specifications are as follows:
Location: Pond Plot
Dimensions: 125’ by 95’ (rectangle, 440’ fencing required)
Location: Maple Plot
Dimensions: 219’ + 100’ + 75+ 164’ + 125’ (683’ fencing required)
Funds will be used to purchase the materials needed for this project, as well as to rent a hydraulic auger and trencher. Kathan, her father, and other volunteers will provide the labor needed to finish this project.
Starting a farm business requires a tremendous amount of capital. Kathan is fundraising for her start-up capital through a CSA program, grant applications, and other investors, but this project is costly and its construction will greatly impact the success and viability of the farm in its first year.
Kathan has been working in farming in some capacity for the majority of her career. It has been her dream to own a farm business since she fell in love with farming as a college intern almost ten years ago. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Franklin & Marshall College, a Certificate in Sustainable Farming from the University of Vermont, and a Certificate in Floral Artistry Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. Aside from working on farms with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, she was also the CSA Coordinator for a 3,000+-member CSA in Lancaster, PA and founded and managed a 40-member CSA as the Vegetable Production Manager at Phantom Farms in Cumberland, RI.
The mission statement of Sweet Pea Farm is to produce sustainably-grown vegetables and cut flowers for its community. This year Sweet Pea Farm is running a CSA program with an on-farm pick-up in Charlestown as well as a pick-up on the West End of Providence. Sweet Pea Farm began accepting sign-ups for this program this February with the goal of reaching 60 members. Additional marketing outlets will include several wholesale accounts such as grocery stores and florists as well as floral design for weddings and private events.
Sweet Pea Farm needs to construct a deer fence around its two fields this spring. The fence will consist of 12’ T-posts spaced every 10’ apart. T-posts will be sunk 4’ in the ground, exposing 8’ above ground. 4' chicken wire will be wrapped around the bottom of the fencing (2' below ground and 2' above ground) as further protection from woodchucks and rabbits.
The design currently allows for four gates in the fence, three of which are simply constructed fencing material with wooden support. The gate closest to the access road will be more thoughtfully designed within the historical context of the Amos Greene Farm. This will be a double wooden gate, hinged on heavy steel post embedded in concrete.
The specifications are as follows:
Location: Pond Plot
Dimensions: 125’ by 95’ (rectangle, 440’ fencing required)
Location: Maple Plot
Dimensions: 219’ + 100’ + 75+ 164’ + 125’ (683’ fencing required)
Funds will be used to purchase the materials needed for this project, as well as to rent a hydraulic auger and trencher. Kathan, her father, and other volunteers will provide the labor needed to finish this project.
Starting a farm business requires a tremendous amount of capital. Kathan is fundraising for her start-up capital through a CSA program, grant applications, and other investors, but this project is costly and its construction will greatly impact the success and viability of the farm in its first year.
Organizer
Kata Elizabeth
Organizer
Charlestown, RI
