As a statewide organization, we get calls from everywhere, some towns are familiar and some not, ... "Hayfork?" Bloom puzzled, searching Google Maps to pinpoint where the caller was from. "Ah, Trinity County" she exclaimed triumphantly, after finding his hometown on the map, "I've never been there".
Louis Ruud, the kind gentleman on phone, was calling about the Hayfork Growers' Alliance (HGA), a fledgling organization already making great strides in its community promoting local agriculture. Ruud invited Bloom to journey to Hayfork to explain FarmLink's programs and services and how our organization might help them reach their goals.
The HGA has an optimistic and achievable mission: the HGA "intends to restore, re-energize, and redevelop the agricultural base of the Hayfork Valley by providing educational advice and instruction, marketing assistance and business models for individuals interested in reviving agriculture by enhancing local food production." HGA members and Bloom met at the Hayfork Community Center, and talked about the various directions the HGA could go. Full of ideas, they're currently pursuing 501(c) 3 status and hoping to develop or revive a community kitchen, as well as cold storage, meat processing, and a small dairy/creamery. With some excellent ideas on how to market and help each other, Bloom hopes to help them secure funding to create their food distribution center.
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