Sandhill Agricultural Community Project
Donation protected
As founders of Sandhill CSA, the Miller "“ Seif family, with
a lot of supporters, have worked diligently at developing the skills to farm
successfully on a small scale. Along with Case Michielsen and Mandi Creveling,
they are developing an expanded community supported agriculture (CSA) project
that will deliver healthy and locally produced food to more people, and Sandhill will explore agrarian cooperative models as a means of rural community development.
Residents of Sandhill CSA will integrate into a rural community and use the farm to help neighbors identify new resources, business models, and mutual aid initiatives that will facilitate economic and social self-determination. The competency building that is experienced through farming can be the key to an individual's ability to cultivate problem solving skills and overcome obstacles. In addition, Sandhill will provide free or low-cost women's services and empowerment programs, therapy and substance abuse counseling, and offer a place of retreat and renewal. These services will be provided by Jenn Seif, a certified doula and La Leche League leader, area midwives, and Scot Miller, a graduate level social worker. Pastoral Care will be available for those seeking such relationships as Scot is an ordained Master of Divinity.
The Sandhill Agricultural Project wants farming and food to go beyond simple subsistence by identifying new resources and creating new opportunities for cooperative spirit and restoration; sustainability enhanced by building long-term community relationships. This new vision of CSA community building, where shareholders not only receive healthy food, but assist the farm residents in providing services and creating opportunities in an under-served rural area, will.address economic justice issues that go hand in hand with community-based food projects. The educational component of the farming project will include assistance in developing chicken and turkey business models, community garden concepts, and folk-art opportunities such as soap making, wool production and spinning, and community housing rehab efforts.
Our project of engaging rural neighbors and sharing competencies that lead to self-determination will be the focal point of what will be a repeatable model across the state - potentially in urban areas. The creation of similar alternative economic models which focus on small business skill-sharing, agricultural diversity and sustainability, and competency building will promote self-sufficiency and market solutions that find success in cooperative models of entrepreneurship in contrast to those of individual business start-ups. Those families and individuals who are the primary consumers of locally produced food are also citizens who are supportive of low-cost community services being made available to underserved populations.
Sandhill's goal is to join a community in finding the way toward sustainability. We want to work with residents of all income levels based upon a cooperative means of contributing to a free market system, a system that is viewed as favorable in terms of growth, rural development, and our nation's agricultural future. By joining a community, we will not only be a resource for long-time residents, but a working repository for years of agricultural and mechanical know-how to be passed down in a time when farming is increasingly corporate in nature. The farm hopes to employ neighbors as well as offer business start resources and provide internship opportunities. Of course, our biggest hope is to provide a lot of folks with fresh nutritious food.
Now, Sandhill CSA is looking to buy the farm! Indeed, we have located a potential farm in the Sand Lake/Cedar Springs area. Seeds of Justice has promised $10,000 toward our down payment, and we are looking to raise matching funds to move forward with a purchase. Oh - Guess what? We are a 501 (c) 3 under the auspices of the Institute for Global Education in Grand Rapids. We found 14 acres with a barn and a nice sturdy home. We envision great things, and hope you can be partners with us as we move forward with our dreams of farming and community building.
Residents of Sandhill CSA will integrate into a rural community and use the farm to help neighbors identify new resources, business models, and mutual aid initiatives that will facilitate economic and social self-determination. The competency building that is experienced through farming can be the key to an individual's ability to cultivate problem solving skills and overcome obstacles. In addition, Sandhill will provide free or low-cost women's services and empowerment programs, therapy and substance abuse counseling, and offer a place of retreat and renewal. These services will be provided by Jenn Seif, a certified doula and La Leche League leader, area midwives, and Scot Miller, a graduate level social worker. Pastoral Care will be available for those seeking such relationships as Scot is an ordained Master of Divinity.
The Sandhill Agricultural Project wants farming and food to go beyond simple subsistence by identifying new resources and creating new opportunities for cooperative spirit and restoration; sustainability enhanced by building long-term community relationships. This new vision of CSA community building, where shareholders not only receive healthy food, but assist the farm residents in providing services and creating opportunities in an under-served rural area, will.address economic justice issues that go hand in hand with community-based food projects. The educational component of the farming project will include assistance in developing chicken and turkey business models, community garden concepts, and folk-art opportunities such as soap making, wool production and spinning, and community housing rehab efforts.
Our project of engaging rural neighbors and sharing competencies that lead to self-determination will be the focal point of what will be a repeatable model across the state - potentially in urban areas. The creation of similar alternative economic models which focus on small business skill-sharing, agricultural diversity and sustainability, and competency building will promote self-sufficiency and market solutions that find success in cooperative models of entrepreneurship in contrast to those of individual business start-ups. Those families and individuals who are the primary consumers of locally produced food are also citizens who are supportive of low-cost community services being made available to underserved populations.
Sandhill's goal is to join a community in finding the way toward sustainability. We want to work with residents of all income levels based upon a cooperative means of contributing to a free market system, a system that is viewed as favorable in terms of growth, rural development, and our nation's agricultural future. By joining a community, we will not only be a resource for long-time residents, but a working repository for years of agricultural and mechanical know-how to be passed down in a time when farming is increasingly corporate in nature. The farm hopes to employ neighbors as well as offer business start resources and provide internship opportunities. Of course, our biggest hope is to provide a lot of folks with fresh nutritious food.
Now, Sandhill CSA is looking to buy the farm! Indeed, we have located a potential farm in the Sand Lake/Cedar Springs area. Seeds of Justice has promised $10,000 toward our down payment, and we are looking to raise matching funds to move forward with a purchase. Oh - Guess what? We are a 501 (c) 3 under the auspices of the Institute for Global Education in Grand Rapids. We found 14 acres with a barn and a nice sturdy home. We envision great things, and hope you can be partners with us as we move forward with our dreams of farming and community building.
Organizer
Scot Miller
Organizer
Orangeville, MI
