In 2014, a group of like-minded people came together with the mission to build an innovative model of organic farming. They started the Chester Agricultural Center with the goal of preserving Chester’s black dirt, converting it to organic growing practices, and providing affordable long-term leases to beginning-level farmers.

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In 2017 the CAC began a process of transforming its mission and expanding its goals. In addition to addressing land access, the CAC is working to address regional farmer and farmworker issues, and re-develop with local stakeholders a thriving community.

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Remaining mindful of the often tenuous financial viability of small- and mid-scale family farms, the CAC puts forth values and practices for farmer lessees that are intended to promote greater fairness and equity for farmworkers.

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Many thanks to the original investors: The Ralph E. Ogden Foundation, Michael Bruno, William Brown, Amanda Fuller, Dominik Eckenstein, and Doug Land.