Help Danny Lutz keep his farm in operation

Hello, my name is Sheila Rutkowski, many know me as manager from Family Dollar or Vinckier Foods in the town of Yale. I am trying to raise money to keep my friend, Danny Lutz's Organic farm in operation, he is the proud owner of Maple Creek farm in Yale, Mi.

On my days off, I volunteer at Maple Creek Organic Farm for Danny Lutz on Speaker Road in Yale, Mi. I met Danny 6 years ago through Family Dollar, he was my customer. He started talking about his farm and needed help with some overgrown weeds. I had 2 days off in a row so I volunteered. Fell in love with his animals and his farm. Been there ever since. I work full-time and help on my days off. Helping him on the farm gives me complete satisfaction that I am doing something good for the environment and keeping people healthy with clean food. Not saying sometimes it's not rough. Farming is hard work, pulling weeds and picking vegetables in 95* heat is exhausting. Always worried about what Mother Nature is going to hand us.

I am asking for the communities support financially, the once very successful organic farm is struggling.

A massive setback for him was being diagnosed with bladder cancer a few years back. He has also had over a hundred skin cancers removed and still more that needs to be removed. The doctor bills are still piling up. Of course, last years record drought and this year receiving 2 seasons worth of rain in 5 weeks did not help. We had a total crop failure of our tomatoes. Normally we have 1/2 ton a week to sell.

If he doesn't have the vegetables we don't have the income. His tractors are down, in need of propane for house and greenhouses, taxes, vet bills, seeds for next year, gas, extreme medical bills, electric to keep his micro greens going, plastic for greenhouses, the list goes on. I hate to see him struggling, he is such a hard-working man.

He has always given to the community. During the farms good years, he was proudly supporting local animal shelters, hospitals, a large contributor to Forgotten Harvest- Michigan's largest food rescue organization, Capuchin Soup kitchen and supports Saffron Community Kitchen with providing food to people in need. During Covid he was donating vegetables, plants and meat birds. He's an extremely generous man, with a heart of gold.

I myself have always contributed to the local charities, food bank, senior center, medilodge, veterans, I love making gift baskets to help raise money for many causes in our community. It makes me feel good to help people in need.

I am just asking to please donate a little money to help Danny Lutz financially to keep his farm operational. So it can be that once again successful farm. Any little bit we would be very grateful, so he can continue to grow clean, organic vegetables.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️.

Sheila