CHEFS: Feeding our Future
The Unity region’s agricultural heritage is growing with a new generation of farmers and consumers who value local, healthy food. CHEFS: Feeding our Future is a collaborative venture of Unity Barn Raisers, Unity College, Unity Historical Society and the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust to build a shared permanent fund dedicated to supporting all aspects of the local food system for future generations.
Initiated as a Realizing Maine’s Worth pilot project of Maine Rural Partners, CHEFS has unified around the belief that (a) Community, Heritage, Economy, Farming and Stewardship are all necessary aspects of a community food system, and (b) that we can and must make decisions NOW to invest to secure the future we desire.
Research conducted by Maine Rural Partners identified an enormous opportunity to invest in the future of our rural communities by building a culture of planned giving — essentially giving back by giving forward. If everyone in the Western Waldo County region designated 5% of their estates to CHEFS or related efforts supporting local agriculture, over $5 million dollars would be garnered by 2020 yielding an estimated $250,000 per year in local investment capital. And this fund will continue to grow as each of us takes our turn to pass part of what we’ve collected forward.
It’s time to get started! At the Unity Barn Raisers Harvest Dinner on November 12, a campaign to secure the first 30 bequests to seed the fund is being launched. Five pledges have already come in – add your name to those investing in a great future! For more information, email Mary Ann Hayes or Tess Woods.
Resources
- CHEFS Brochure
- CHEFS Facts
- Sample Bequests & Pledge Form
- Maine Statutory Will
- Realizing Maine’s Worth Report
- Community Legacy Tool Kit (available in November)
- Listing of Estate Planning Professionals (available November 19)