Save The Farm Healthy Food Options
Donation protected
Dear Friends,
We are Robert & Julie (Proud Farmers in our Community - Small 4 Acre Farm).
We find ourselves in an odd position here. We have always been on the giving end of things, such as donating time to Habitat for Humanity, providing free food to ACCESS and other local food programs, etc..
We are now in need of your support for our Community Farm Stand Project. One we which we have invested over $60,000 of our own money into, in order to provide access to healthy food choices in our community. We have jumped through all the hoops, filled out all the forms, paid all the fees, and we have done our very best to be in "compliance". Yet this has not been enough for us to continue.
In an effort to keep the community of White City, Oregon a Food Desert, the Jackson County government has issued a notice demanding we close our Farm Stand or face fines upwards of $10,000. Please note, your donation WILL NOT go to pay ANY fines. You are NOT donating to the government. All funding will go directly to supporting our fight to continue our Community Farm Stand Project.
White City, Oregon is considered a Food Desert by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As quoted from the USDA website; "Food deserts are defined as urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease."
Not only is the local government and state working to create an unfair trade environment within White City by closing us down. They are now after the very health of our community by limiting their choice to consume fresh, healthy, and affordable food. We DO NOT purchase excess food or discounted food from Cash & Carry stores and try to pass it off on our guests as "Farm Fresh". EVERYTHING WE OFFER IS GROWN RIGHT HERE ON OUR LAND. It is Non GMO, Herbicide and Pesticide Free.
As we all know too well, large corporations such as Monsanto, Syngenta, and Walmart have the government in their back pockets. It's time we all take a stand and demand access to REAL FOOD in White City and beyond! Please know, we have NEVER made a profit from the Farm Stand, and it is NOT a business. We do this because we care about our community and the people who live in it. Most of what we grow goes to food programs such as ACCESS.
We have recently partnered with Ex-NFL Football Star Jason Brown, who turned down a $37 million dollar football contract to become a farmer. He has provided us the opportunity and seed to start our own "First Fruits Garden". Our partnership with Jason and his farm has allowed us to grow an abundance of food for those in need within our community. Again, Jackson County Oregon government wants to shut down our ability to provide this service to our community.
We have already paid over $8,000 to obtain water rights. We did in fact receive our water right certificate. However, the certificate has been pulled by the State of Oregon and we are back on a permit until we spend another $5,000 to drill a new well we do not need. We drink from this well, there is nothing wrong with it. It tested 100% perfect. The State of Oregon claims we need a new well due to one box not being checked on a well permit from 1962.
Jackson County government wants us to pay $4,000 for a land use review for our portable shed we use as a farm stand. They claim we are running a "commercial enterprise" on land which is already zoned for this type of use.
The county has gone as far as making us pay an $85 plumbing permit fee for the right to screw a garden hose into a common household faucet.
The assessor came out and said they are going to "tax" us on our portable sheds and Farm Stand. The list just goes on and on.
We ARE Fully Committed to Grow and Fight for Our Community to Have Access to Healthy Food Choices.
- GOVERNMENT WILL NOT FORCE US OUT! -
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us.
Your Farmers - Robert & Julie
Peppercorn Acres Farm Stand
We are Robert & Julie (Proud Farmers in our Community - Small 4 Acre Farm).
We find ourselves in an odd position here. We have always been on the giving end of things, such as donating time to Habitat for Humanity, providing free food to ACCESS and other local food programs, etc..
We are now in need of your support for our Community Farm Stand Project. One we which we have invested over $60,000 of our own money into, in order to provide access to healthy food choices in our community. We have jumped through all the hoops, filled out all the forms, paid all the fees, and we have done our very best to be in "compliance". Yet this has not been enough for us to continue.
In an effort to keep the community of White City, Oregon a Food Desert, the Jackson County government has issued a notice demanding we close our Farm Stand or face fines upwards of $10,000. Please note, your donation WILL NOT go to pay ANY fines. You are NOT donating to the government. All funding will go directly to supporting our fight to continue our Community Farm Stand Project.
White City, Oregon is considered a Food Desert by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As quoted from the USDA website; "Food deserts are defined as urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease."
Not only is the local government and state working to create an unfair trade environment within White City by closing us down. They are now after the very health of our community by limiting their choice to consume fresh, healthy, and affordable food. We DO NOT purchase excess food or discounted food from Cash & Carry stores and try to pass it off on our guests as "Farm Fresh". EVERYTHING WE OFFER IS GROWN RIGHT HERE ON OUR LAND. It is Non GMO, Herbicide and Pesticide Free.
As we all know too well, large corporations such as Monsanto, Syngenta, and Walmart have the government in their back pockets. It's time we all take a stand and demand access to REAL FOOD in White City and beyond! Please know, we have NEVER made a profit from the Farm Stand, and it is NOT a business. We do this because we care about our community and the people who live in it. Most of what we grow goes to food programs such as ACCESS.
We have recently partnered with Ex-NFL Football Star Jason Brown, who turned down a $37 million dollar football contract to become a farmer. He has provided us the opportunity and seed to start our own "First Fruits Garden". Our partnership with Jason and his farm has allowed us to grow an abundance of food for those in need within our community. Again, Jackson County Oregon government wants to shut down our ability to provide this service to our community.
We have already paid over $8,000 to obtain water rights. We did in fact receive our water right certificate. However, the certificate has been pulled by the State of Oregon and we are back on a permit until we spend another $5,000 to drill a new well we do not need. We drink from this well, there is nothing wrong with it. It tested 100% perfect. The State of Oregon claims we need a new well due to one box not being checked on a well permit from 1962.
Jackson County government wants us to pay $4,000 for a land use review for our portable shed we use as a farm stand. They claim we are running a "commercial enterprise" on land which is already zoned for this type of use.
The county has gone as far as making us pay an $85 plumbing permit fee for the right to screw a garden hose into a common household faucet.
The assessor came out and said they are going to "tax" us on our portable sheds and Farm Stand. The list just goes on and on.
We ARE Fully Committed to Grow and Fight for Our Community to Have Access to Healthy Food Choices.
- GOVERNMENT WILL NOT FORCE US OUT! -
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us.
Your Farmers - Robert & Julie
Peppercorn Acres Farm Stand
Organizer and beneficiary
Farmer Bob
Organizer
White City, OR
Robert Russell
Beneficiary
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