UFedMe

The snow will be flying in Michigan soon and we're trying to save the greenhouse roof! Last year we raised more than $25K to boost food production in our local area by putting a dormant 1-acre greenhouse back into production. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, we were able to do many repairs and replace half the plastic.

To avoid damage this winter, the second half of the plastic really needs to be replaced. The plastic is already ordered and paid for and the installation is scheduled, but we need to raise funds to cover the cost of the installation. The bid we have is for $5400 and we have $500 on hand for the task.

This is a worthy project that can really help reduce food insecurity in mid-Michigan. Already this summer the green house has been supplying free food to Daniel's Kitchen (a local pay-what-you-will eatery that serves healthy meals to anyone regardless of ability to pay). In addition, a wonderful crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, carrots, beets, was grown chemical and pesticide-free, harvested, and shared at reasonable cost. (If you'd like to enjoy some of the greenhouse's fresh produce, come see us each Monday through Thursday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.)

$5,000 will pay for the needed installation of plastic, and if more is raised, we will repair the sides, buy row covers, and/or purchase additional topsoil. Other than a paid farm manager, this is a volunteer operation and many hours have been put into bringing it back to life. There is still work to do, but things look incredible compared to where they were just one year ago. Please help push this project over the top by helping to get the plastic installed before the snow flies! Your donation is tax deductible and will be greatly appreciated!

In about 2010, a $750,000 investment went into putting up a 15-bay greenhouse that covers about an acre of land in Cedar Lake, Michigan. Following that, a processing house was erected for about the same figure. All of this was debt free. Donors who believed in this project and a thoughtful bequest made this possible. With a lot of sacrifice and hard work, the dream to provide both work opportunities and education became a reality.

Today this beautiful, state-of-the-art greenhouse needs to be refreshed. A dedicated team of local gardeners is heading up the project under the name Cedar Lake Growers* (Cari Haus, Mike Messer, Heidi Sandvik, Steve Williams, Pastor E.J. Wolf). They recently leased the greenhouse with the intention of bringing back the original vision, and in addition, providing locally grown produce and a place for people to learn and grow food alongside our team.

The first steps are cleanup and repair. A team of nearly 40 community volunteers put their hands to the shovel on Sunday, March 26, to get things off to a “flourishing” start. In addition to cleanup, the greenhouse also needs to be re-covered with fresh plastic.

The restoration of the greenhouse will take place in three phases. The first phase involves cleanup, making things operational, and growing some crops this summer.

Future plans include:

This project is not starting with a lot of resources, but our team fully expects it to be self-sufficient once it swings into full production.

Over a thousand seedlings have already been planted. Cleanup continues to be underway, but your help is needed. In order to revive the dream and set things in working order, our goal is to raise $25,000. This is a relatively small investment for the restoration of an asset with such intrinsic and educational value.

That’s where you come in! Your gift today will help make this dream a reality.

*Cedar Lake Growers is running under the non-profit UFedMe, an Edmore, Michigan based 501(c) which also runs Daniel’s Kitchen and The Second Mile Thrift Shop. All donations to Cedar Lake Growers are tax deductible.