The goals of the Grafton Farmer Market go beyond simply selling produce, we seek to enrich our community. Grafton, and its surrounding towns, have many wonderful non-profit organizations that do amazing things. Each week one or two will stop by the Non-Profit Tent (sponsored by Gaudette Insurance) and tell you a little bit about themselves. Please support these organizations, because they support you!
Interested groups can contact Liz Colognesi at eacolognesi@yahoo.com.
Some organizations that will be stopping by…
The Grafton Land Trust (GLT), works closely with landowners, federal, state, and local governments, and other conservation groups to permanently preserve open space and natural ecosystems in Grafton. Six hundred and twenty acres are now protected. The GLT will participate on July 9th and August 13th.
The Grafton Medical Reserve Corps (GMRC) purpose is to protect the health, safety, and overall well-being of the community during a public health or community disaster response. Our goals include conducting promotional and educational activities and assisting other organizations with similar goals and objectives in order to prepare for an respond to local emergencies.
The Community Harvest Project brings together volunteers – individuals and families, as well as school, church and civic groups – to grow healthy vegetables on our farms. They grow tens of thousands of pounds of tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, squash and other healthy foods, all of which are donated for hunger relief. The CHP will participate on July 16th, September 10th and October 1st.
The Grafton Education Alliance is committed to promoting educational excellence in the Grafton school district and throughout our community. GEA opens new doors by enhancing the educational opportunities and cultural experiences offered to students, teachers and other members of the Grafton community. The GEA will participate on August 20th.
The mission of Rachel’s Table is to distribute donated and specially purchased foods, without charge, to agencies feeding hungry families and individuals in greater Worcester, Massachusetts and to reduce the waste of nourishing food. The Children’s Milk Fund purchases milk for needy children. Rachel’s Table will participate on July 30th.
Apple Tree Arts’ mission is to enrich the community through the arts, by providing high-quality educational music and theatre arts programs for individuals of all ages. AppleTree Arts will participate on August 27th.
Grafton Center Playschool provides a happy, safe, free but guided atmosphere where young children can grow to develop their full potential. The Playschool will participate on July 23rd.
The Grafton Garden Club is wonderful group of green thumbs, dedicated to making Grafton beautiful! The GGC will participate on September 3rd.
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton is located on Grafton Common. The UU Society will participate on August 6th.
Touchstone Community School is an independent, progressive preschool, elementary and middle school celebrating nearly 30 years of providing outstanding education in Grafton for families from throughout Central Massachusetts. Touchstone Community School will participate on July 23rd and October 8th.
The mission of the BVIN is to connect interpreters throughout the Blackstone Valley. The BVIN is a bi-state organization (RI & MA), working under the auspicies of the National Park Service and the Volunteer in Parks Program (VIP). Membership is free to anyone who interprets the treasures of the Blackstone Valley to the public. The BVIN will participate on September 17th.
The Pancreatic Cancer Alliance is a local organization in Central Massachusetts of patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer Alliance will participate on September 24th.
The Nipmuc Nation is a state-recognized Indian tribe in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a reservation and tribal offices in Grafton, MA. The Hassanamisco Indian Museum, established in 1962, is located on the Hassanamesit Reservation and provides educational and cultural programs for tribal members as well as local school, camp and scout groups. Visit us at www.nipmucnation.organd www.nipmucmuseum.org.
MassSave is a public/private partnership that was created to help Massachusetts residents save money through energy conservation. MassSave will participate on October 22nd.
The Blackstone River Coalition is a partnership of numerous organizations working to restore the Blackstone River and the health of its watershed. Through its Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015, the BRC is targeting polluted runoff and stormwater volume as the major issue impacting water quality in all of our waterways. The BRC’s “Tackling Stormwater in the Blackstone River Watershed” Initiative is a four-pronged approach focusing its outreach to homeowners, businesses, municipal decision makers, and developers. See www.zaptheblackstone.org for details. The BRC will participate on July 9th and August 13th.
