With the New Year came great news for continued progress at Pittsford Village Farm (PVF).
At the last PVF board meeting of 2024, the board unanimously voted to accept the Rutland County Parent Child Center’s (RCPCC) application to operate an Early Childhood Education center at the PVF Farmhouse, once renovations are complete. After receiving the news, RCPCC Co-Executive Director Stephanie Carvey and PVF Board Chair Lorrie Byrom signed the Memorandum of Understanding, according to a Jan. 15 news release.
Solidifying this partnership marks a huge milestone for Pittsford Village Farm, a local non-profit that has been working for years toward the renovation of the 8,000 square-foot farm house that sits on 150 acres of publicly-accessible land in the heart of Pittsford’s village center.
If all goes according to plan, RCPCC will open the early childhood education center at Pittsford Village Farm in the spring of 2026.
The Pittsford Village Farm’s mission is to strengthen the vitality of the community by connecting social, cultural and educational opportunities that help build a stronger community for all. While also managing our 150-acres in downtown Pittsford and coordinating outdoor performances and programs, the renovation of the Farm House has been a primary focus for the volunteer board. Once completed, the Farm House will be home to a community center on the ground floor, and an early childhood education center on the first floor and two affordable two-bedroom apartments on the second floor.
“We are thrilled to enter into a partnership with RCPCC for a number of reasons,” said Pittsford Village Farm Board Chair, Lorrie Byrom. “RCPCC is so clearly an organization that is deeply rooted in the community, yet it is also connected to a broader network that provides the type of support that ensures a successful program. It is equally meaningful to us that RCPCC has the experience and resources to offer a high-quality early childhood education program, while also working to support the whole family. This is a wonderful and unique piece that benefits the entire Pittsford and Rutland County community, which is central to our organization’s mission.”
Since 1985, RCPCC has been dedicated to removing barriers and providing concrete support to caretakers, youth and families within the Rutland County region. The agency’s reach and programming has expanded over the years to meet the varied needs of families in our area, including workforce development, children’s integrated services and family support, parenting classes, and much more.
“Community partnerships are imperative to supporting and uplifting families,” said Stephanie Carvey, co-executive director of RCPCC. “We are especially excited to expand nature-based programming with young children utilizing the beautiful space provided by the Pittsford Village Farm. Given its central location in Rutland County, we hope to serve communities who have not yet had access to early childhood education, which is critical not only to the development of young children, but also a valuable resource to working families.”
Pittsford Village Farm is located at 42 Elm St. in Florence.
For more information, visit: pittsfordvillagefarm.org.
