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Help Community Farm Survive and Build a Sustainable Future
0% complete
$8,645 raised of
39 donations
Our Roots & Mission
In 1987, a small group gathered at a library in Ann Arbor, concerned about the threats of industrial agriculture, the quality of their food and the future of small scale farmers. They were excited to learn about a new concept called “Community Supported Agriculture”, known today as a CSA. A year later, the Community Farm of Ann Arbor was founded as Michigan’s very first CSA.
Our foundation is built on three core practices
- Biodynamic Farming and Land Protection An holistic, better-than-organic approach that views the farm as a self-sustaining organism in harmony with healthy ecosystems. We practice soil restoration and traditional, regenerative farming practices that provide clean, nutrient dense food free of toxic, synthetic chemicals. Because the value of farm land exceeds the value of food, farm land is being swept up by housing developments, data centers, and industrial agriculture. Our farm’s land is protected from development by a conservation easement, keeping it a resource for future generations.
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) A direct partnership between people who eat our nutritious food and the farmers. Members pay in advance, providing us with cash flow, and receive a share of our harvest. Members share in the risks and bounty, have a voice in production, and work together with others to make the farm a success. We host an annual fall festival, and regular events like a pizza party around the outdoor oven for the community to socialize.
- Education We demonstrate the advantages of socially and environmentally responsible agriculture. We train beginner farmers, sponsor school and university field trips, hold workshops in beekeeping, composting, soil health, plant studies, solar energy uses in farming, and welcome visitors to the farm.
The Challenges We Face
For nearly 40 years, we’ve proven that interdependent, community-led farming works. And yet, today our farm is under threat:
- Changing Needs of Our Members In order to meet our community where they are today, we are seeking ways to engage and support a new generation of members who seek locally-grown healthy food that is produced in ways that protect our natural resources and our community assets.
- Changing Needs of Our Farmers Beginner farmers today face several challenges including access to land and paid opportunities where they get to do the work they love while maintaining a stable and affordable life. Community Farm is a place for them to hone their skills and earn a fair wage while cultivating our beautiful farm for our members’ food shares.
- Operating with Old/Outdated Infrastructure 40 years takes its toll on farm equipment and buildings, and keeping up with repairs/replacement has been the budget items most likely to get cut.
- Corporate Pressure Agribusiness exploits global resources to maintain the illusion of cheap supermarket produce. As a result, the food we grow is often unaffordable for those who would benefit from it.
We are on the brink of closing our farm forever. The only way we can survive and continue to serve as a vital community resource, is to expand our local retail capacity and educational programs.
How Your Donation Helps
Immediate funding allows us to restructure our model, adapt to rising pressures, and build the critical bridge toward a sustainable, long-term future. Your gift directly funds:
- Marketing/Sales Outreach: dedicated funds for sales related activities such as strengthening our social media presence, and building relationships with potential local buyers.
- Staffing: Fair wages for dedicated farmers and community educators
- Infrastructure: Physical upgrades desperately needed for retail sales, long-term viability, and online presence. Current projects include,
- A new fossil fuel free greenhouse
- New implements for our solar-powered tractor
- Irrigation upgrades
- Classroom and food processing space.
- Education: Expanded hands-on curriculum teaching food justice and land stewardship
Please help us protect our local food future.
Thank you for supporting us.
All things grow with love!
