Beads of sweat trickled down Theogène Mahoro's temple as he shoveled goat manure and hay onto his pickup truck. Mahoro, a chicken farmer at Pine Island Community Farm in Colchester, had awakened at 5 a.m. to feed his poultry and was still hard at work five hours later. Less than a mile away, Mahoro's wife, Hyacinthe, tended to their garden as she waited for him to deliver the manure. She was among a half dozen gardeners toiling in silence but for the sounds of birds and cicadas. Goats grazing nearby bleated intermittently, reminding a visitor of the farm's origins. When Karen Freudenberger started the farm in 2013, it was known as the Vermont Goat Collaborative. The Burlington resident, who had extensive international experience in community development, was the driving force behind the farm and dedicated herself fully to the project. It was later renamed Pine Island Community Farm when it added chicken, garden and bee collectives. Freudenberger's idea was to provide a space for New Americans to produce food for themselves and their communities, as well as to help them reconnect with their agricultural traditions. Since its inception, the farm has run year-round but is busiest during summer months. At first glance, this year appears no different, but Pine Island is missing its most ardent advocate. Last December, Freudenberger died peacefully in her sleep. Her husband, Mark Freudenberger, said she had suffered from a heart condition. "I don't feel good because we lost a good friend," Mahoro said. His children, Solange, 6, and Kevin, 5, share their father's sentiment. "We miss Karen," said Solange. But Mark still visits the farm, she added. Six months since his beloved wife's passing, Mark Freudenberger, a senior associate with Tetra Tech ARD in Burlington, said he's deeply touched that her vision for the farm is "strong and alive." Not only has Pine Island continued to thrive, but the farmers have plans to improve and build new infrastructure, he noted. "So many people have offered their support," Freudenberger said, in the form of "very significant contributions of time" at the farm. "That expression of love for the vision is an expression of love for Karen and for me," he said, fighting back tears. An interim management team is helping the collectives continue and is crafting a long-term sustainability plan. Though Pine Island has nonprofit status, it exists as a partnership of the Vermont…
Beads of sweat trickled down Theogène Mahoro's temple as he shoveled goat manure and hay onto his pickup truck. Mahoro, a chicken farmer at Pine Island Community Farm in Colchester, had awakened at 5 a.m. to feed his poultry and was still hard at work five hours later. Less than a mile away, Mahoro's wife, Hyacinthe, tended to their garden as she waited for him to deliver the manure. She was among a half dozen gardeners toiling in silence but for the sounds of birds and cicadas. Goats grazing nearby bleated intermittently, reminding a visitor of the farm's origins. When Karen Freudenberger started the farm in 2013, it was known as the Vermont Goat Collaborative. The Burlington resident, who had extensive international experience in community development, was the driving force behind the farm and dedicated herself fully to the project. It was later renamed Pine Island Community Farm when it added chicken, garden and bee collectives. Freudenberger's idea was to provide a space for New Americans to produce food for themselves and their communities, as well as to help them reconnect with their agricultural traditions. Since its inception, the farm has run year-round but is busiest during summer months. At first glance, this year appears no different, but Pine Island is missing its most ardent advocate. Last December, Freudenberger died peacefully in her sleep. Her husband, Mark Freudenberger, said she had suffered from a heart condition. "I don't feel good because we lost a good friend," Mahoro said. His children, Solange, 6, and Kevin, 5, share their father's sentiment. "We miss Karen," said Solange. But Mark still visits the farm, she added. Six months since his beloved wife's passing, Mark Freudenberger, a senior associate with Tetra Tech ARD in Burlington, said he's deeply touched that her vision for the farm is "strong and alive." Not only has Pine Island continued to thrive, but the farmers have plans to improve and build new infrastructure, he noted. "So many people have offered their support," Freudenberger said, in the form of "very significant contributions of time" at the farm. "That expression of love for the vision is an expression of love for Karen and for me," he said, fighting back tears. An interim management team is helping the collectives continue and is crafting a long-term sustainability plan. Though Pine Island has nonprofit status, it exists as a partnership of the Vermont…