Almont Community Farmers' Market

Ron:

Great meeting with you yesterday and discussing the Almont Community Project. As we discussed it may be time to begin initial discussions regarding the Phase II Community Center efforts. To that end I'm posting a Detroit Free Press article which published this morning regarding new legislation to assist DDA's in the financing of downtown development efforts on behalf of the Sate of Michigan. Ideas that follow these CORE guidelines will likely have an opportunity to be funded.

Please let me know what your thoughts might be.

Best,

Jim

Bills aim to give downtowns boost

Promoting growth, fighting decline is legislation's goal
May 14, 2004

BY TIM MARTIN
ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING -- Downtowns in Michigan communities of all sizes could get help attracting new residents, jobs and investment through legislation introduced Wednesday in the state Senate.

The bills would allow communities to set up historical neighborhood tax-increment finance authorities. That would help establish a financing mechanism to fight deterioration and promote growth in downtowns, bill supporters said.

Other bills would provide tax incentives for making housing and office space available in a downtown district, rather than in relatively undeveloped areas.

"We're creating a toolbox for local units of government to support businesses in their downtowns," said state Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, and chairman of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. "What we are working on is creating jobs, and to make sure we have viable downtowns as we market our communities."

There could eventually be 25 bills in the package, called CORE, or Creating Opportunities for Renewed Economies. Eight were introduced Wednesday, and others are expected to be introduced within the next few weeks.

The legislation also would give downtown development authorities -- which already exist in many Michigan cities and villages -- new options designed to help market their areas. They would be able to create wireless Internet systems, enhance their marketing capabilities and even operate a parking violations collection spot to make paying fines more convenient.

Many Michigan downtowns have struggled for survival in recent decades, losing jobs, businesses and residents to outlying areas.

The legislation is designed to help renew interest in already developed areas and promote more conservative land use.

Supporters say the package is broad enough to potentially help communities as different as Ann Arbor and Alpena or Lansing and Lapeer.

"Anything that could help keep our downtowns vital would be welcome," said Mona Lang, executive director of Marquette's Downtown Development Authority.

Ron:

Just recieved this. It appears you have generated a "very successful" initiative in Almont with your original Almont Framers' Market concept. This is a GREAT THING! Congratualtions! As you know success has many fathers and can take many forms. Remember that immitation is the sincerest form of flattery and one should not be short-sided nor prideful when it comes to the doing of great deeds. As you know the credit goes to those in the arena and you have been a tremendous warrior. Keep your eye on the horizon and continue to enlarge your scope of possbilities.

I think we should explore Phase II of your efforts concerning the Almont Community Center downtown development which would allow us to consider Phase III before the end of the year.

Much continued success. Hope all finds you well.

Best,

Jim



Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As I write to the first draft of this letter on Tuesday night, I’m listening to a huge thunderstorm–much like the storm we experienced pretty much ALL DAY Saturday, our first market day. But those of you brave and hardy souls who came to our first market day already know that. As for those of you who didn’t make it, I can’t say I blame you, as it was perfectly horrid, cold and wet. Yesterday Paul Blake of Blake’s Orchards told my dad that nearly two inches of rain fell over the weekend, and I think about half of it fell on Saturday morning.

Oddly enough, however, we had lots of fun at market. Really, we did! Wez Ligon who stocks the Ladybug Café (our little coffee stand) gave everyone who visited the market free hot drinks & popcorn to celebrate our grand opening. And there was lots of meeting and greeting old friends and new–I saw people I hadn’t seen for over twenty years, and met lots of new people as well. The kids had a great time running up and down the center of the market and playing on the hay bales we set up for them. Lots of folks came out to see us, dodged the raindrops, and left the market smiling, toting their goodies they bought at market.

The good news is, we’ve ordered much better weather for next weekend. Hope you’ll be able to join us. As always, the market opens–rain or shine--at 8 AM sharp, and closes promptly at 1 PM.

NEXT WEEK AT MARKET there will be even more than last week–you’ll be able to find herbs, unusual & heirloom plants, hanging baskets, a selection of annual & perennial bedding plants, pork products, beef jerky, probably some pies and cakes, tomato plants, natural soaps, stained glass and floral notecards & art. As always, all goods are made, grown, or produced locally by the people selling them to you. We’ll still have hot drinks and popcorn at the Ladybug Café (though you’ll have to buy them this time, but the proceeds support a good cause. We use the profits to help cover the operating costs of the market). There will probably be some last-minute additions to the roster, but I haven’t heard from those vendors in time to include them in this newsletter. So we’ll all be pleasantly surprised on market day.....

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS: At 11 AM next Saturday, we’ll hold the First Official Meeting of the children’s Ladybug Society at the Children’s Garden behind the greenhouse. This is a free, weekly event. (Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to attend with their children). I’m going to talk with the kids about ladybugs and worms and dirt. Each week at 11, we’ll have a brief garden lesson & combine it with some hands-on activity. So next week we’ll be playing in the dirt. (The entire thing ought to last about 15 minutes).

One last request. If you have a chance, please let a friend or acquaintance know about our market. And many thanks for visiting (or intending to visit) the market yourself.

See you at Market,
Jill

Hi Ron:

I may not be available to meet today becuase of the field-trip with one of my student interns to Indian Springs Metropark. Please give a shout prior to coming to the observatory. If we are unable to connect it is because we are still on the field-trip.

We can reschedule for Wednesday it that works for you.

Best,

Jim

Ron:

Thanks for stopping by yesterday to do some strategic planning on your Almont Community initiative. I was glad to hear that the critical mass (community partners) necessary for continued success has begun to come together at the Almont Community Farmers' Market on some of the past week-ends.

Additionally, becoming aware of the work you have been doing with your outreach ideas (Crop-Walk / faith-based initiative, Love Inc., Project Fresh, 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) are to be commended. Also, it didn't hurt that the DDA found it in their hearts to help you out a little in the financial area. Your efforts to be wise and prudent with their dollars is also quite admirable. I believe their financial commitment is in good hands.

As we discussed you should probably contact the faith=based groups and determine weather they wish to facilitate the Crop Walk or simply have your/their own "walk for faith and hope" initiative. Perhaps the money raised would be better served with-in the local Almont community.

We also discussed the need to obtain permission to use the 4-H logo in your brochure and to develop a simple letter describing how 4-H youth might participate at the market and on behalf of their community.

Something along these lines might be appropriate;

Dear 4-H Administrator:

My name is Ron Grundberg and I am working on a community project in downtown Almont called the Almont Community Farmers' Market. This is an effort to bring the local Almont community together in the downtown area. The market will be located at the downtown Pocket Park and has the support of the Downtown Development Authority. The market partners will be offering locally grown produce, flowers, eggs, and other food-goods as well as other non-consumable products one might naturally encounter in such an effort. It had always been my intention to have the young people in the area participate in some fashion in this community endeavor. After all they are the future of our community.

Therefore, I wish to inquire of the 4-H organization weather it is possible to develop a program that would allow your students to participate in the development of the market since youth and their success is your business. I believe the market program could offer a wonderful opportunity for your students to learn about marketing, sales, personal skills, community service, etc. while simultaneously serving their community. Addtionally, their ideas may prove to be the best things accomplished by this effort.

If there is an interest in developing a program along these lines I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss it further with you at your convenience. Please let me know what your schedule might allow.

I have included a flyer on the market and some published newspaper articles.

Thank you for your time and consideration

Kind regards,

Ron Grundberg
Almont Community Farmers' Market


Let me know what your thoughts might be.

Best, my friend

Jim

Ron:

The CROP WALK infomation can be accessed at the following:

http://www.churchworldservice.org/CROP
blogger

Best,

Jim

Ron:

I understand that a few people stopped by the market on Sunday afternoon and they were supportive of your efforts on behalf of the community. This is a good sign. Keep up the informal discussions. They are the gold.

Let me know what I can do to further your efforts regarding the Crop Walk event this month. I believe it has merit and as you and I discussed it can act as a catalyst for true community engagement.

Much continued success!

Best,

Jim

Ron;

How did your initial efforts on Saturday go at the pocket park?

Best,

Jim