RVC's Partnership with the Farm at YMCA Camp St. Croix

River Valley Charities is proud to partner with the Farm at Camp St. Croix, a unique collaboration that directly addresses food insecurity and improves access to nutritious food in the St. Croix Valley. This collaboration merges RVC’s mission of supporting families with the Farm’s commitments towards sustainability, education, and community engagement.

​A Collaborative Vision for Better Nutrition 

The idea for the grow tunnel at Camp St. Croix originated from a former director at the Camp, who recognized unused farmland that could be put to good use. With input from RVC, this project evolved into an innovative initiative aimed at addressing a significant gap in emergency food programs. Instead of just providing food, the goal was to ensure that families have access to fresh, locally-grown produce—something often missing from traditional food assistance.

This partnership directly addresses the nutritional challenges many families face, providing access to fresh, healthy food that is often lacking in food distribution programs. In 2024 alone, the Farm’s yield helped provide 52,000 individuals facing food insecurity with access to healthy, fresh, high-quality, dignified food. At RVC, we believe that just because a family needs to rely on emergency assistance, it doesn’t mean they should be deprived of the choice to eat nutritious, healthy foods.

Education and Community Engagement 

The Farm at Camp St. Croix is not just about growing food—it’s also about educating the next generation. The farm partners with RVC to grow and harvest vegetables and eggs, which are donated to families in need. Educational farm camps allow children and families to learn about farming practices, sustainability, and nutrition firsthand.

In addition to the camper groups, the Little Seeds Nature Preschoolers are actively involved in farm activities, visiting the farm every day and helping grow vegetables. This unique, hands-on learning experience provides children with a deep connection to the land and the importance of growing and eating nutritious food. The farm is also supported by a dedicated group of local community volunteers who contribute to its operations.

The farm also provides fresh, farm-to-table meals for campers at YMCA Camp St. Croix, reinforcing the importance of healthy, locally-sourced food. Additionally, community events like the Fall Harvest Fest and Pizza Nights help raise funds and awareness for the farm’s ongoing operations.

It is these connections—uniting community members through education, sustainable farming practices, and a shared mission to provide fresh, healthy food—that make our partnership so successful. Together, nearly 8,000 pounds of fresh eggs and produce are given directly to food-insecure families right here in our community.

How It Works

RVC provides an annual grant to the Farm to help cover operational costs. We also facilitate volunteer events for both new and existing corporate partners of RVC who wish to host a unique employee give-back day with our YMCA partners. In return, the Farm donates the majority of its annual harvest to RVC’s network of food insecurity partners in the St. Croix Valley, offering nourishing, fresh produce to families in need.

Join Us in Supporting This Partnership

Through our partnership with the Farm at Camp St. Croix, RVC is creating lasting solutions that empower families to overcome food insecurity and lead healthier, more sustainable lives. We encourage you to get involved—whether by volunteering, donating, or simply learning more about the farm.
Together, we can continue to grow this important partnership, strengthen our community, and help families access the nutritious food they need to thrive.