Twincraft Skincare is a strong believer in supporting the community. One way it permeates that belief throughout the organization is with its annual Community Day, an opportunity for employees to set aside regular duties and volunteer time with a local organization.
And, with the many New Americans who are part of our 200-person workforce, Twincraft dedicated its 2018 Community Day to supporting a New American initiative, Pine Island Community Farm. This collaborative intervale provides a space for former refugees to raise culturally significant foods such livestock like goats and chickens, as well as crops native to their country. Beyond food, Pine Island represents a connection and nostalgic reminder to the many different homelands for their New American visitors.
Employees spent the day assisting with various tasks, including painting a new goat barn, cleaning out facilities, harvesting crops, and installing the new Pine Island welcome sign. Working closely with the on-location farmers and New American residents, employees were able to dig deeper into the culture and history that Pine Island represents while spending a day bonding with each other.
Pine Island primarily focuses on raising goats, a highly demanded and culturally significant food source among much of Burlington's immigrant population. The farm also features chicken and vegetable production, and is in the beginning phases of an ecological restoration project to aid in long-term sustainability.
While Pine Island itself does not sell meat, visitors pay choose to purchase livestock and utilize their community slaughter room to process their purchase. For many New Americans, slaughtering their own meat is an important ritual and cultural tradition; the facility offers a space for buyers to practice this ritual with their families in a safe, clean, and State approved facility.
We look forward to continuing our support of this unique and important resource to so many Twincraft employees on next year's Community Day.
