Community Farm Of Ann Arbor Sprouts Again

Community Farm of Ann Arbor Sprouts Again

   Last year, a group formed in the Arn Arbor area, arising out of a variety of interests and concerns, determined to develop and support (both financially and socially) a community farm in Washtenaw county. As our first step, a three-acre vegetable and flower garden on Whitmore Lake Rd. became the "farm" during the 1988 growing season. Through organizing efforts, the group grew into a member shareholder farm where 140 shares were taken by people interested in establishíng a connecton with a farm in exchange for that support the members recoived the bounty of the harvest.

   Despite the drought, the season was a success Members received 29 different kinds of vegetables and herbs and the accounting shows that for every $150 share, $180 worth of produce was received. That reflects the quantitatlve gain but equally important is the unmeasurable - what was learned and exchanged between all that particpated in this alternative form of agriculture.

   The long range goal of the project is to develop into a full farm organism, containing all the elements a healthy farm needs to sustain itself while producing an excess to be consumed by its supporters. In addition to vegetable and fruit production, the farm would include cows, chickens, and enough land to raise their feed.

   At this stage, we do not have animals to care for in the winter months so the farm has been dormant since the October frosts. But the seeds the community planted in the past season have germinated and are about to sprout anew. The first organizational get-together is on Feb 12 at the Steiner School, 2775 Newport Rd. It all starts (appropriately) with a potluck at noon, followed by a 1:30 pm meeting. Please call 665-8047 if you would like further information.

Community Farm of Ann Arbor, 665-8047.