Agape Organic Farm Go Fund Me

Agape Organic Farm is a small Black woman-owned farm that provides Berkshire pork, several varieties of mushrooms, and microgreens out of Dansville, MI.  The farm is run by Shara and her two teenagers Philomena (16), and Dominic (18) who has severe Autism. 

As told by Shara, Agape’s founder:

“I've always loved animals and the outdoors. My grand uncle was an environmentalist and during my childhood he took me on countless projects and jaunts in the rainforest with other environmentalists, biologists, and geologists. However, the impetus of my love for the farm was a chance encounter with another woman farmer in 2013 at the Ohio State fair. I started immersing myself in learning how to farm.”

As a Black female farmer and immigrant, Shara has come face to face with many obstacles - including a financially and emotionally abusive relationship - as she’s worked hard to make her vision a reality. Through the support of her friends, church, two domestic violence shelter, and teachers at her children’s school, she and her two children are finally at a place to continue growing and manifesting the dreams she’s had since childhood.

In the past year, she has secured a new property to house her family and animals and continue to grow an amazing selection of organic fungi, microgreens, and pork. She’s built her business with a great CSA program and is a fixture as “the Mushroom Lady” at local Farmer’s Markets. The opportunities are now available for her to branch out and spread her passion for sustainable farming even further – but she needs your help!

Shara now has the chance to work with the South East Market and the Capital City Market to get her mushrooms and meats on the shelves! In order to be able to meet the demands, there are extensive infrastructure and equipment needs, which is where you come in. Any amount that you donate will help, and when you see the Agape Organic Farms packaging at your local market, you’ll know you had a hand in getting it there!

 

“Thank you for helping us continue to pour love and passion into our animals, fungi, and vegetables in a sustainable manner.”

Things that our farm needs immediately and approximate costs:

Lease 20 acres across the street $3000

Fencing for structured rotational grazing and low stress loading chutes that are organic compliant $12,000

Quonset huts - $6000

Repair of large gravity wagon for corn -$2000

Used Feed grinder for on farm feed milling for better control over feed and fresher feed for the animals -$5000

Used Large outdoor feed storage for roasted soybeans - $2500

Repair of well to make it functional again - on leased land -$3000

16 foot used trailer- $2000

Recertification with OEFFA to get back our organic Certificate -$1350

Automated mushroom bagger for easier production $8500

Greenhouse upgrades and better winter provisions -$3000

New purebred Berkshire breeders with good genetics and qualities needed for our program - $7500

Equipment and supplies for retail packaging - $2500

Organic feed:

Corn - 550 bushel -$6000

Roasted soybeans - $3000

Fertrell pig mineral - $1500

Raw Apple cider vinegar bulk. - $2500