Rock Steady Farm

What Rock Steady Farm does

Rock Steady Farm is a queer and trans-led multiracial worker cooperative operating 12 acres of regenerative vegetable farmland in Millerton, New York. Founded in 2015, it is structured as a worker cooperative fiscally sponsored by the 501(c)(3) Good Work Institute, with worker-owners including co-founders D Rooney and Maggie Cheney plus farmer Kyle Ellis. The cooperative runs three interlocking lines of activity: a sliding-scale Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program serving upstate neighbors and New York City pickup sites at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center (Chelsea and Brooklyn) and the Brooklyn Community Pride Center; the POLLINATE! apprenticeship and HIVE! alumni program that trains QTBIPOC beginning farmers; and a Food Access Program that allocates 70% of all produce grown to subsidized Solidarity Shares and wholesale distribution to food pantries, mutual aid projects, and community partners including NECC, Free People's Market, Black Trans Liberation Kitchen, and Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors, targeting 35,000+ pounds of food-access distribution in 2024.

The farm monetizes through a hybrid of subscription CSA fees (annual billing across Solidarity, Middle, Upper, and Contributor tiers), wholesale produce, a small e-commerce Farm Store selling $15–$35 apparel and EBT-enabled produce boxes, document sales (POLLINATE! and HUDSY films), and tax-deductible donations and grants routed through Good Work Institute, supplemented by speaking and consulting engagements. Distribution relies on community partners rather than owned retail, and the marketing motion is community-led through field-notes content, email, Instagram, documentary filmmaking, and bi-annual NY Foodways Gatherings rather than paid acquisition.

Strategically, Rock Steady has built an ecosystem of influence disproportionate to its operating scale: co-founder Maggie Cheney helped launch the $465,000 Food Sovereignty Fund (sourcing from 30 BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ farms statewide), co-founded the 500+ member Northeast Queer Farmer Alliance, and helped establish the Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative alongside Sweet Freedom Farm, Wildseed Community Healing Village, and Catalist Farm. The organization publishes open-source cooperative governance documents in English and Spanish and operates on a non-extractive model in which the dominant share of physical output is given away rather than sold.

Name

Rock Steady Farm

Legal name

Rock Steady Farm

Website

https://rocksteadyfarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rock Steady Farm is a queer and trans-led multiracial worker cooperative that runs a 12-acre regenerative vegetable farm in Millerton, NY, delivering sliding-scale CSA shares, food-access produce, and apprenticeship training to QTBIPOC farmers and low-income community members across the Hudson Valley and New York City.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112), Other Crop Farming (1119)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm-to-Consumer Produce Boxes / CSA Delivery (AFAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture
• Community supported agriculture
• Farmer training programs
• Food access initiatives
• Worker cooperative farming

Headquarters

HQ city

Millerton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. CSA Membership Fees: Revenue from Community Supported Agriculture membership fees with sliding scale pricing, including vegetable shares plus egg, fruit, meat, cheese and yogurt share options from neighboring farms. CSA members at middle, upper, and contributor tiers help resource farming operations and enable food access programs.
2. Wholesale Produce: Distribution of produce to food pantries, community organizations, and mutual aid projects. 70% of all food grown is distributed for food access.
3. Merchandise Sales: Farm store selling merchandise including apparel (socks, hats, totes, tanks), films, and farm worker support fund items.
4. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible contributions through fiscal sponsor Good Work Institute (501(c)(3)). Includes sustaining donor programs, business sponsorships, employer donation matching, challenge grants, planned giving/bequests, and grant funding.
5. Film Sales: Documentary films including the HUDSY Film and POLLINATE! Film available for purchase or donation, with proceeds supporting the Alumni Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Rock Steady Farm is a queer and trans led multiracial worker cooperative that operates a 12-acre regenerative vegetable farm in Millerton, NY. It sells Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares on a sliding scale, runs food access programs distributing 70% of produce to community members facing food insecurity, and delivers farmer training programs (POLLINATE! apprenticeship, tractor training retreats) for QTBIPOC farmers.

Product overview

Rock Steady Farm is a queer and trans-led multiracial worker cooperative operating as a multi-product food systems organization rather than a traditional software company. Their core offerings include a sliding-scale Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program distributing culturally meaningful vegetables, the POLLINATE! Apprenticeship training program for QTBIPOC farmers, and a Food Access Program distributing 70% of grown produce (targeting 35,000+ pounds annually) through subsidized Solidarity Shares and food pantry partnerships. Additional programs include tractor training retreats, Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative, NY FoodWays Gatherings, virtual workshops, and open-source cooperative development resources. Their Farm Store sells merchandise and farm products, while their documentary films (POLLINATE! Film and HUDSY Film) document trainee stories and farm operations. The farm generates revenue through CSA subscriptions, merchandise sales, grants, speaking engagements, and a comprehensive donation program fiscally sponsored by Good Work Institute.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000+ pounds of produce planned for food access distribution in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and FarmingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaborated in many ways over the years. RSF is a participating farm in the CSA is a SNAP program, an effort to make Community Supported Agriculture more accessible for folks receiving SNAP benefits. RSF participated in their Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator program in 2019 and collaborated with Glynwood to launch the Food Sovereignty Fund, which currently funds food access projects across New York State sourcing from 30 different BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ run farms, totaling $465,000 in funds for food.
• North East Community Center (NECC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Located just down the road from the farm, working together since Rock Steady's first season in 2016. With financial support from the Food Sovereignty Fund out of The Glynwood Center, RSF supplies thousands of pounds of produce each season to NECC's Community Food Access Hub and bi-weekly food pantry. NECC distributes fresh, healthy, culturally responsive food throughout Northeastern Dutchess County, NY. RSF also participates in NECC's summer youth employment program as a host farm for weekly internship programming.
• Callen-Lorde Community Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader in LGBTQIA+ health care, education and advocacy, providing services to the community regardless of ability to pay. RSF hosts CSA pick ups at both Callen Lorde's Chelsea and Brooklyn locations, and works with Callen Lorde's care coordinators to match eligible patients with fully subsidized Solidarity Shares. CL has supported RSF from the jump!
• Brooklyn PackerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn based, Black led and worker-owned cooperative that sources, packs, and distributes for small food delivery companies and organizations that champion fresh and healthy food. RSF coordinates delivery routes and sales with BK Packers as well as regional organizing and food movement work in collaboration with NEFOC. The three organizations co-host the NY Foodways gatherings twice annually.
• Black Trans Liberation KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAims to end homelessness within the trans population by providing access and resources from community partners. With support from Pixie Scout, Rock Steady Farm vegetables are transformed into lush weekly fellowship dinners and offered farmers' market-style at no-cost to fellowship attendees.
• Brooklyn Community Pride CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIncorporated in 2008, provides services and support to the borough's LGBTQ+ community through original programming and partnerships. The BCPC team volunteers their time and space to host RSF's CSA distribution.
• Free People's MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded by Ruby Olisemeka, the Free People's Market of Mt Vernon serves low-income community members experiencing food insecurity. They distribute RSF vegetables as part of the CSA's Solidarity Share program.
• Good Food Farmer NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlugs into the Free People's Market effort by delivering produce for RSF, supplementing additional farm fresh food products for the market, and helping with RSF's fundraising efforts.
• Ancramdale Neighbors Helping NeighborsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmall, grassroots volunteer organization in Ancramdale. Their programs assist local, working families with weekly supplemental food deliveries. RSF provides Solidarity Shares to 16 families every week throughout the growing season.
• Soul Fire FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarms and land-based partner in the regional network supporting QTBIPOC farmers and food sovereignty work.
• Rise & Root FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarms and land-based partner. Maggie Cheney co-founded Rise & Root Farm. Partner in the regional network supporting QTBIPOC farmers.
• Northeast Queer Farmer AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Maggie Cheney at Rock Steady Farm, now has 500+ members. Regional network connecting and supporting queer farmers across the Northeast.
• Northeast Farmers of Color Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarms and land-based partner collaborating on regional food sovereignty organizing. NEFOC collaborates with RSF and Brooklyn Packers on NY Foodways gatherings.
• Queer Farmer NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network supporting queer farmers, partner in sharing resources and best practices across the movement.
• Co-op Hudson ValleycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCooperative development support organization providing technical assistance for RSF's worker cooperative operations.
• Democracy at Work InstituteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides cooperative development support and resources for worker cooperatives.
• Cooperative Development InstituteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides cooperative development support and resources for worker cooperatives.
• National US Federation of Worker CooperativesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNational organization supporting worker cooperatives with resources and best practices.
• Cornell Cooperative ExtensionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAgricultural extension services providing technical support and education for farm operations.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUSDA agency providing conservation planning and technical assistance for sustainable agriculture.
• Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp (HVADC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides business development support for Hudson Valley agricultural operations.
• Relational UprisingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHelped with values work that contributed to RSF's purpose, vision and values statements.
• Food For The SpiritcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the NY Foodways Gatherings organizing committee, collaborating on regional food systems work.
• Tierra Viva CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NY Foodways Gatherings organizing committee, collaborating on regional food systems work and cooperative development.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Soul Fire Farm: A BIPOC-led farm in Petersburg, NY that operates an immersive farmer training program for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx growers and runs food sovereignty initiatives. Identified in Rock Steady's partner network and is a direct peer in QTBIPOC farmer training and food access.
• Hawthorne Valley Farm: A biodynamic farm in Columbia County, NY running a 300+ member CSA and extensive educational programs. Comparable in CSA scale, Hudson Valley geography, and farm-based education, though broader in agricultural focus.
• Rise & Root Farm: A queer and women-of-color-led farm co-founded by Maggie Cheney, operating a CSA and food access programming. Direct peer in cooperative structure, CSA model, and QTBIPOC-led food justice mission.
• Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC): A regional land trust focused on farmland access and tenure for farmers of color in the Northeast. Identified as a Rock Steady partner and a direct peer in food sovereignty and land-based organizing.
• Poughkeepsie Farm Project: A Hudson Valley CSA and food access farm operating in Dutchess County. Comparable in CSA membership, food access distribution, and farm-based education serving similar communities in the Hudson Valley.
• Wildseed Community Healing Village: A Black, queer, and trans-led healing and land project in the Hudson Valley, listed as co-member of the Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative with Rock Steady. Direct peer in QTBIPOC-led land-based community work.
• Black Farmer Fund: A nonprofit that raises and deploys capital to Black farmers and food businesses in the Northeast. Peer in BIPOC food sovereignty funding and ecosystem organizing, complementary to Rock Steady's Food Sovereignty Fund work.

Broad incumbents

• Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming: A regional food systems nonprofit that incubated Rock Steady via its Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator and co-launched the Food Sovereignty Fund. Acts as a broader incumbent in regional food and farming across the Hudson Valley.
• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: A larger, well-resourced nonprofit farm and education center in Pocantico Hills, NY focused on regenerative agriculture and food systems transformation. A broader incumbent in Hudson Valley sustainable agriculture and farm-based education.

Others

• National Young Farmers Coalition: A national advocacy organization supporting early-career farmers with policy, training, and network resources. Comparable in farmer training and policy advocacy mission, though broader in scope and not a farm operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/rocksteadyfarm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rock-steady-farm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rock Steady Farm