3 oct 2025
Building Community, One Farm at a Time
When Emily Eder and Maggie Thomas joined HVADC’s Farm and Food Funding Accelerator (FFFA) program in 2019, they were first-time farm owners navigating the challenges of running Great Song Farm in Red Hook. These challenges included managing the farm's finances, dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, and learning how to market their produce effectively.
Through the program, they refined their business structure and landlord relationship, expanded their CSA from 90 to 145 members with a waiting list, hosted pop-up events, and collaborated with neighboring farms during the pandemic's early days. The FFFA’s mentorship and peer learning gave them practical business skills, and something just as valuable: a network of support.
"The Farm and Food Funding Accelerator program was a great opportunity to learn from other farmers in our community," Eder reflected. "We were exposed to their challenges as well as the different ways that they found creative solutions. It influenced the way we approach our work as farmers in the Hudson Valley in that it made us feel part of a community of agricultural professionals who support each other whenever they can."
A New Chapter at Poughkeepsie Farm Project
After Great Song Farm closed, Eder and Thomas found a new way to carry forward its spirit at the nonprofit Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP). Eder now serves as PFP Co-Executive Director of Farm Production, and Thomas is Facilities & Equipment Coordinator, maintaining equipment while training crew members.
The transition allowed Eder to merge her nonprofit background and community agriculture in meaningful ways. “It’s exciting to be in a position to prioritize creating a positive work culture, especially in production farming,” Eder shared.
The lessons learned from Great Song Farm continue to guide their work. “At Great Song, we knew every CSA member by name,” Eder recalled. “We can’t do that with 500 members now, but we can still cultivate that same spirit of community among our staff, crew, and interns.”
“It’s always a pleasure catching up with past clients, and Emily and Maggie are no exception. Their sense of community and belonging is truly inspiring. I deeply admire their work ethic and dedication to farming, and it’s a joy to watch their continued success,” said Mary Ann Johnson, HVADC Deputy Director and former Great Song CSA member.
Growing a Farm for Everyone
Eder and Thomas’ commitment to community farming aligns perfectly with PFP’s mission to blend food production with education, equity, and engagement.
Each year, the farm grows more than 130,000 pounds of produce and donates at least 30 percent of it to food access partners and community organizations throughout the City of Poughkeepsie. The organization also provides free or subsidized CSA shares to ensure that fresh, healthy food reaches households who might otherwise go without.
“We’re working toward a farming model that’s sustainable for both the land and the people who steward it,” Eder explained. “It’s hard to charge enough for vegetables to pay a living wage, but we’re making progress — diversifying our revenue, raising farmer wages, and improving benefits wherever we can.”
For Eder and Thomas, farming has never been just about food — it’s about cultivating belonging and shared purpose. That spirit came to life during PFP’s Juneteenth celebration, which featured food, music, a community harvest, and a screening of Farming While Black.
“The land is so beautiful and so close to the city,” Eder emphasized. “It’s important to provide opportunities for people to engage with it.”
Looking ahead
This year, PFP is entering a strategic planning process that includes input from staff and community members alike. Eder sees it as an opportunity to clarify goals, strengthen programs, and deepen the farm’s role as a resource and gathering place for the City of Poughkeepsie.
Her advice to other small farms echoes lessons from Great Song Farm. “The CSA model really helped us,” she observed. “It provided upfront costs each season, and because we had close relationships with our members, we had high retention. Know your local resources — and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
From managing a few acres in Red Hook to helping lead one of Hudson Valley’s most visible community farms, Eder and Thomas continue to show how collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose can sustain both farmers and the communities they feed.
To learn more about HVADC’s multi-faceted approach to supporting the economic growth of farms and food businesses, visit https://www.hvadc.org/agribusiness-growth.