Raise the kitchen, Save the farm
Donation protected
RAISE THE KITCHEN, SAVE THE FARM
Farmers Donna and Gary Schneider have an organic farm in Bokeelia Florida called Pine Island Tropicals and they run a cottage industry called Momma Donna’s. Gary and Donna have operated this family-owned nursery since 1993, specializing in organically grown plants, fruit trees and vegetables. In addition, Momma Donna's Jams and Sauces are made with these fruits and vegetables, and are created in the old fashioned way, in small batches, to ensure the freshest of locally made products. In 2015, their tireless efforts and excellent products won them the Martha Stewart American Made Award and they were featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine.
The quality of their products is well known throughout Pine Island but what has truly set them apart is their sense of, and service to, community. They have supported the agriculture community since 1980 donating their time, plants,food, tropical flowers, knowledge and vehicles to people in need. They are always the first to extend a hand and to participate in fundraising efforts on behalf of others.
Over the years, Pine Island Tropicals, like many family farms, have been confronted with the devastating challenges that have threatened their survival. Plant diseases, shifting weather patterns, fires and major hurricanes often meant starting over and rebuilding their cottage industry. In 2004 Hurricane Charlie wiped out much of their plant nursery and they needed to start over by actually changing some of their product lines and specialty plants. In 2011, a fire started by a neighbor burned down 8 of their 16 acres and again, they needed to start over. More recently, Hurricane Irma destroyed two of their hoop buildings and devastated many of their more valuable plants and crops.
Compounding this recent loss is the financial demands of raising two young children. In 2016, Gary and Donna were unexpectedly given emergency custody of their then 7 and 5 year old grandchildren. At the age of 68 and 63 respectively they now have permanent custody of their granddaughter and grandson. The combination of the loss of resources and the additional responsibilities and expenses of raising their grandchildren, has been a perfect storm causing the Schneider’s to take on additional loans to stay afloat only to find themselves slipping behind again.
In order to survive, Donna and Gary have contemplated selling a portion of their farm. But there is a catch 22: if they sell a portion of their farm, they can pay off debts but then they will also reduce their resources and further limit their potential to generate a living wage once those debts have been paid off.
Fortunately there is another option that was beginning to take shape several years ago prior to getting custody of their grandchildren and to the impact of Irma: building a commercial kitchen. A commercial kitchen would allow them to expand their business beyond a cottage industry with its legally limited market, and to become eligible for commercial license to sell their products to retail shops. In the final analysis, the only way to move forward in a sustainable way is to build a commercial kitchen that will allow them to expand their Momma Donna's product line and thus to save their farm and support their family of four.
Beyond this, their hope for the future is to continue to help support the local farmers, employees, and the larger community. They are also striving to be an Eco Aggro Farm so they can give more Farm tours and continual to help share their knowledge of Tropical Fruits and Flowers.
They invite all to come tour their farm if you are in the area of Pine Island Florida.
Estimated cost of project:
With building, septic, permits, equipment plus,plus, plus:
$175,000 if I Gary does mostof the work himself.
$225,000 if The job is hired out, (which would mean that they can start production a lot faster)
Farmers Donna and Gary Schneider have an organic farm in Bokeelia Florida called Pine Island Tropicals and they run a cottage industry called Momma Donna’s. Gary and Donna have operated this family-owned nursery since 1993, specializing in organically grown plants, fruit trees and vegetables. In addition, Momma Donna's Jams and Sauces are made with these fruits and vegetables, and are created in the old fashioned way, in small batches, to ensure the freshest of locally made products. In 2015, their tireless efforts and excellent products won them the Martha Stewart American Made Award and they were featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine.
The quality of their products is well known throughout Pine Island but what has truly set them apart is their sense of, and service to, community. They have supported the agriculture community since 1980 donating their time, plants,food, tropical flowers, knowledge and vehicles to people in need. They are always the first to extend a hand and to participate in fundraising efforts on behalf of others.
Over the years, Pine Island Tropicals, like many family farms, have been confronted with the devastating challenges that have threatened their survival. Plant diseases, shifting weather patterns, fires and major hurricanes often meant starting over and rebuilding their cottage industry. In 2004 Hurricane Charlie wiped out much of their plant nursery and they needed to start over by actually changing some of their product lines and specialty plants. In 2011, a fire started by a neighbor burned down 8 of their 16 acres and again, they needed to start over. More recently, Hurricane Irma destroyed two of their hoop buildings and devastated many of their more valuable plants and crops.
Compounding this recent loss is the financial demands of raising two young children. In 2016, Gary and Donna were unexpectedly given emergency custody of their then 7 and 5 year old grandchildren. At the age of 68 and 63 respectively they now have permanent custody of their granddaughter and grandson. The combination of the loss of resources and the additional responsibilities and expenses of raising their grandchildren, has been a perfect storm causing the Schneider’s to take on additional loans to stay afloat only to find themselves slipping behind again.
In order to survive, Donna and Gary have contemplated selling a portion of their farm. But there is a catch 22: if they sell a portion of their farm, they can pay off debts but then they will also reduce their resources and further limit their potential to generate a living wage once those debts have been paid off.
Fortunately there is another option that was beginning to take shape several years ago prior to getting custody of their grandchildren and to the impact of Irma: building a commercial kitchen. A commercial kitchen would allow them to expand their business beyond a cottage industry with its legally limited market, and to become eligible for commercial license to sell their products to retail shops. In the final analysis, the only way to move forward in a sustainable way is to build a commercial kitchen that will allow them to expand their Momma Donna's product line and thus to save their farm and support their family of four.
Beyond this, their hope for the future is to continue to help support the local farmers, employees, and the larger community. They are also striving to be an Eco Aggro Farm so they can give more Farm tours and continual to help share their knowledge of Tropical Fruits and Flowers.
They invite all to come tour their farm if you are in the area of Pine Island Florida.
Estimated cost of project:
With building, septic, permits, equipment plus,plus, plus:
$175,000 if I Gary does mostof the work himself.
$225,000 if The job is hired out, (which would mean that they can start production a lot faster)
Organizer and beneficiary
Ana Alvarez
Organizer
Bokeelia, FL
Donna Schneider
Beneficiary