By Emily Bowie
Two Dickinson ‘12 Alums — and former Idea Fund Executive Board members — Daniel Grover and Scott Hoffman are renting out the Peddler next Wednesday, October 31 from 8:00-10:30am on Britton Plaza to raise funds for their own vegetable business they’ll start in February 2013. Located just under an acre of borrowed land at the Northland Sheep Dairy in Marathon, New York, they’ll be growing upwards of 50 varieties of vegetables to sell at a nearby local farmers’ market, with the help of draft animals (horses, mules, and a donkey), using techniques they learned while working at the Dickinson College Farm.
peddler ad2The owners of the Northland Sheep Dairy — Donn and Maryrose — run a horse-powered sheep dairyand sell their cheese at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market. They are looking to diversify their farm, help provide more food to the community, and support young, beginning farmers like Scott and Daniel. They’ll share their land, some tools, horses, water, compost, electricity etc. for free to help kickstart Scott and Daniel’s business. Thanks to Donn and Maryrose’s generosity, much of the expenses of starting their own farm are mitigated; however, Scott and Daniel still need to obtain seeds, a small hoophouse, heat mats for starting seedlings, rowcover, some tools, and a stand for selling their vegetables at market. They are hoping to use the Peddler as a fund-raising source.
To rent out the Peddler for your event or organization, please contact Peddler Managers Nick Bailey or Rebecca Shenton  for more information.