Our fundraising efforts are aimed at supporting the current and future local-foods community. Besides sourcing our supplies for each event from our local farmers and other suppliers, the balance of proceeds is set aside for projects that build new farm/food infrastructure. “small farms - small farmers” seeks to create as many hoop houses in our area as these efforts can muster. Hoop houses can be a great catalyst, transforming our northern climate into a four-season growing environment. They allow farmers to feed us year round and provide a means to match the growing season with the typical academic school year.
“small farms” - a micro credit system is being established to loan funds and physical support to those starting new farms in our region. Farmers will receive funds to purchase theire first kit and volunteers from our ranks will assemble the hoop. The farmer will pay back the loan over time to replenish the funds for additional farmers and will add their efforts and expertise in the construction of future hoops. Applicants have been selected for the August 2009 hoop construction projects. We will be building in Detroit (Brother Nature Produce Farm) on August 1 and on Joy Rd. just north of Ann Arbor (Tomm Becker’s Farm) on August 15. Volunteers of all shapes, sizes and skill sets are needed. Please sign up!
“small farmers” - we partner with organizations such as The Agrarian Adventure to create new four-season gardens on school campuses. It has been shown that kids who eat more fruits and vegetables do better in school and life. Additionally, kids who grow their own food are more likely to taste new foods, leading to this more nutritious and beneficial diet. Modeled on the Tappan School program, children will have the opportunity to garden year round. The garden also is incorporated into the school curriculum, offering opportunities for science, math and other learning. We have already raised the funds for the first new garden program and hope to have it in place during the 2009-2010 school year.
Being all-volunteer with no overhead expenses, partnering with the established expertise of other area organizations, seeking matching funds and lending funds that are eventually plowed back into future work, we can have a great impact, building tangible new assets with our small, incremental resources. All financial information is made public on the website. We are always looking for individuals and groups to partner with in these efforts. I hope you will contact us to join this initiative.