RutherfordBARN
Building Agriculture Relationships Now
Our Governing Body
Rutherford BARN is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports a locally-based food system that: a) improves public health and well-being by increasing dietary intake of fresh produce; b) improves access to fresh produce by limited resource families c) enhances the capacity for sustainable food production, processing, and distribution by addressing the educational needs of the producer and consumer; (d) supports agri-tourism and economic development; (e) provides an atmosphere conducive for exchange of information and ideas between producers and consumers, and; (f) strengthens the social fabric of the local community by increasing awareness and support of local agriculture and the arts.
We believe in the inclusion of those we serve. “Nothing about us, without us, is for us.” We believe in the power of the local food system to nourish those in need locally, and strive to connect local farms to local plates to accomplish the mission of reducing local food insecurity. We believe in the capacity of our local community to sustain local farms, and believe that local farmers deserve to work for a living wage.
In keeping with these ideals, we will strive to always include our local communities in our discussions. We intend to operate with the farmers’ best interests at heart, and wish to adequately represent both the farmer and the consumer. We will act as a liaison between local organizations, helping move the mission forward in a holistic manner. Our organization is not best suited to work in every aspect necessary to reduce food insecurity, and we need to support our local partners in their work. We wish to help streamline the local response to food insecurity, so that our efforts multiply, but not duplicate.
Rutherford BARN, Inc. Officers and Board
Darla Henderson – President – Community (2020-2023)
Stephanie Rzonca – Vice President – Organization (2019-2022)
Marie Rapisarda – Treasurer/Secretary – Vendor (2021-2024)
Beverly Aiken – Vendor (2021-2024)
Brandon Higgins – Vendor (2019-2022)
Bob Young – Vendor (2019-2022)
Bill Coxe – Community (2021-2023)
Stephanie Higgins – Vendor (2020-2023)
Amy Bridges – Organization (2021-2022)
News and Updates
Rutherford County Farmers Market Artisans Explain Benefits of Handmade in a High-Tech World
Forest City, NC – October 25, 2019 – As people become increasingly dependent on technology as their source for nearly everything, from news and communication
Kid-Approved Lunches Start at the Rutherford County Farmers Market
Forest City, N.C. (August 15, 2019): With the new school year comes the return of daily routines for parents and children including meal prep. The
How a Mom Found Magic at the Farmer’s Market
I didn’t expect to find magic at the Rutherford County Farmers Market in Forest City, NC, last month, but I did. As a mother, I
Monthly Minutes
June 2019 Monthly Meeting
Rutherford BARN (Building Agricultural Relationships Now) Board Meeting – June 13, 2019, 10:00 am, Cooperative Extension AGENDA Members present: Brandon Higgins, Wendy Shumaker, Bob Young,
May 2019 Monthly Meeting
Rutherford BARN (Building Agricultural Relationships Now)Board Meeting – May 21, 2019, 10:30 am, Cooperative Extension AGENDA Members present: Brandon Higgins, Tiffany Rigell, Wendy Shumaker, Steve
April 2019 Monthly Meeting
Rutherford BARN (Building Agricultural Relationships Now) Board Meeting – April 10, 2019, 10:30 am, Cooperative Extension Meeting Minutes – Prepared by Stephanie Rzonca via audio
February 2019 Monthly Meeting
Rutherford BARN (Building Agricultural Relationships Now) Board Meeting – February 13, 2019, 10:30 am, Cooperative Extension Meeting Minutes – Prepared by Stephanie Rzonca Members Present:
January 2019 Monthly Meeting
Rutherford BARN (Building Agricultural Relationships Now)Board Meeting – January 22, 2019, 10:30 am, Cooperative ExtensionMeeting Minutes – Prepared by Stephanie Rzonca Members Present: Wendy Shumaker,
