Avalonia Advisory Council Has First Field Trip!
The Avalonia Advisory Council held its inaugural meetings this past February and June. Created to bring people representing a broad demographic into the Avalonia fold, the Council now has 19 members and is still growing. At the first meeting, members introduced themselves and benefited from a presentation by Avalonia President Dennis Main; the second meeting featured a talk by guest speaker Amy Paterson, Executive Director of the CT Land Conservation Council, on the benefits of open space to public health, as well as a legislative round-up by Council member State Senator Cathy Osten.
The Council meets via Zoom three times per year, but opportunities for in-person convening, learning, and socializing are being built into the schedule. The first of these occurred on July 26.
Council member Mia Colasuonno, co-owner of Lathrop Farm in Lebanon, provided a perfect first field trip! This compact, certified-organic operation grows herbs, vegetables, and fruits; produces its own honey and maple syrup; and makes available the eggs of its 30-plus chicken flock, representing about 10 varieties. The tour, led by Mia and co-owner Andrew Lathrop, included an introduction to the farm’s history; a walk through the growing fields; and refreshments at the tour’s conclusion that featured a variety of vegetables straight from the fields. Almost half the Council members, plus their guests, attended this enlivening event.
For more information about Lathrop Farm, go to: https://www.lathropfarm.com/ourstory
We hope you enjoy these pictures from our morning at Lathrop Farm!
Elanah Sherman
Avalonia Board Member and Advisory Council Chair