Brooklyn NavyYard in NewYork City,
where a large market afforded the
opportunity for the crew to sell the
remainder of its wares. Then they
planned to fill up with imported goods
and make the trip north before winter
set in.
The “Vermont Sail Freight Project”
was the brainchild of founder Erik
Andrus, who owns a Ferrisburgh,VT
farm along with wife Erica and sons
Julien (8) and Robin (6). The maiden
voyage of Ceres was to prove the
concept that, even in the 21st cen-
tury, wind power, intelligent planning,
navigating and a network of support
could provide a distribution channel
for farms to economically deliver their
products to distant markets. Says Erik
about his project,“A good portion of
the damage conventional agriculture
does to society and the environment is
through our overblown, corporation-
dominated distribution systems. The
idea of a small, producer-owned craft
sailing goods to market, perhaps even a
distant market, is an alternative to this
system.” Arriving at the Mechanicville
docks on Friday, October 11, Erik and
his crew, First Mate Jordan Finkelstein
and Captain Steve Schwartz, were tired
yet cheerful, having begun their journey
with excitement and anticipation of
a busy-yet-productive adventure. At
dinner that evening Erik shared some
of his passion for the idea of sustainable
agriculture mixed with marine delivery
channels, and this listener believes that
he is on to something. I even learned
that the boat’s name – Ceres – is in
honor of the Roman goddess of agri-
culture and grain crops. It’s also where
the word “cereal” comes from! There’s
always something new to learn when
you spend enough time on NewYork’s
upstate waterways. Please visit www.
vermontsailfreightproject.wordpress.
com for more information on this excit-
ing transportation adventure.
boatingonthehudson.com HOLIDAY 2013 19
Ceres visits Mechanicville (L-R): Captain Steve Schwartz, First Mate Jordan Finkelstein, Project Manager Erik Andrus, and Chamber of South-
ern Saratoga County President/CEO Pete Bardunias. The vessel was able to dock at night because the NewYork State Canal System keeps
the locks open after hours for commercial vessels.
“Ceres”, under sail, on the lower Hudson River. Sailing vessels like this once were common
sights on the River. TheVermont Sail Project aims to demonstrate that green, economical
modes of transportation make such vessels commercially viable once again.
HOLIDAY 2013.indd 22
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