1st Annual Rootstock
Donation protected
Farming is brave, hard, crazy… like art. Both are often defiant acts of creation. Both are vocation and avocation alike, a calling, a lifestyle. The ultimate DIY. But DIY is even better when it’s DIO (“Do It OURSELVES”.) A community of neighbors, near and far, lending support, whether a cup of sugar, some tractor parts, advice, encouragement, a helping hand, a voice in Washington… And like the granges of years’ past, those communities get together once in awhile for some singing, dancing, eating, drinking, and whooping it up in support of each other. That’s how Rootstock came into being. Like those grange hall hoedowns, we want to pay musical tribute to the efforts of past and present farmers who have been feeding us and protecting our beautiful land for generations, and raise a ruckus to support the next generation!
Rootstock is a celebration of music and farming dedicated to raising awareness and support for young farmers in the Northeast. On November 27th, 2016, at the legendary Towne Crier in Beacon, NY, three acclaimed Americana bands will perform - all of them with ties to the farming and conservation communities - with all ticket proceeds from the festival benefiting American Farmland Trust and National Young Farmers Coalition.
As the average age of the American farmer nears 60, with a shortage of young farmers willing and able to step into their shoes, we jeopardize our nation’s food security and access, and risk losing our valuable farmland to development. To raise awareness for this, we’ve partnered with two energetic, dedicated advocacy organizations, each addressing a unique challenge faced by young farmers today:
National Young Farmers Coalition represents and supports young farmers, providing training, along with a voice in Washington on issues such as debt relief and food policy.
American Farmland Trust is dedicated to protecting farmland and keeping farmers on it, as well as preserving valuable natural resources like soil and water. Their “No Farms, No Food” movement reminds us that it is farmers and ranchers who feed us and sustain America.
Rootstock was founded by two farmgirls: one a roots-rock musician inspired by the vital role of music in social action, the other a sustainable farming advocate, trainer of young farmers, and lawyer. The goal- to raise awareness and support for the young farmers making a go of it in the Northeast, and the special challenges they face.
All proceeds from the event will be split between National Young Farmers Coalition and American Farmland Trust . In order to keep concert ticket prices low, and to make Rootstock accessible to as many as possible, we're seeking to cover our production expenses beforehand. We are paying the musicians a stipend for their performance (although they're very generous in reducing their fees for us, they still have travel expenses and have turned down other paying work to perform at Rootstock instead that night.) Same goes for the sound tech we've hired. Our programs and posters need to be printed beforehand. Covering these production expenses allows all ticket sales and any additional money raised to go directly to NYFC and AFT, increasing the amount we are able to donate. Rootstock is also registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.
The concert kicks off November 27th, 2016. Help us rock out in support of our young farmers!
Rootstock is a celebration of music and farming dedicated to raising awareness and support for young farmers in the Northeast. On November 27th, 2016, at the legendary Towne Crier in Beacon, NY, three acclaimed Americana bands will perform - all of them with ties to the farming and conservation communities - with all ticket proceeds from the festival benefiting American Farmland Trust and National Young Farmers Coalition.
As the average age of the American farmer nears 60, with a shortage of young farmers willing and able to step into their shoes, we jeopardize our nation’s food security and access, and risk losing our valuable farmland to development. To raise awareness for this, we’ve partnered with two energetic, dedicated advocacy organizations, each addressing a unique challenge faced by young farmers today:
National Young Farmers Coalition represents and supports young farmers, providing training, along with a voice in Washington on issues such as debt relief and food policy.
American Farmland Trust is dedicated to protecting farmland and keeping farmers on it, as well as preserving valuable natural resources like soil and water. Their “No Farms, No Food” movement reminds us that it is farmers and ranchers who feed us and sustain America.
Rootstock was founded by two farmgirls: one a roots-rock musician inspired by the vital role of music in social action, the other a sustainable farming advocate, trainer of young farmers, and lawyer. The goal- to raise awareness and support for the young farmers making a go of it in the Northeast, and the special challenges they face.
All proceeds from the event will be split between National Young Farmers Coalition and American Farmland Trust . In order to keep concert ticket prices low, and to make Rootstock accessible to as many as possible, we're seeking to cover our production expenses beforehand. We are paying the musicians a stipend for their performance (although they're very generous in reducing their fees for us, they still have travel expenses and have turned down other paying work to perform at Rootstock instead that night.) Same goes for the sound tech we've hired. Our programs and posters need to be printed beforehand. Covering these production expenses allows all ticket sales and any additional money raised to go directly to NYFC and AFT, increasing the amount we are able to donate. Rootstock is also registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.
The concert kicks off November 27th, 2016. Help us rock out in support of our young farmers!
Organizer
Sara Milonovich
Organizer
Beacon, NY
