For the completion of our Commercial Incubator Kitchen

The last part of the original vision of Grow Benzie, the completion of a commercial incubator kitchen to serve many in our community, was finished this summer under the supervision of Peter French, a Grow Benzie volunteer, who pulled together the finalization of this long awaited dream.  We hired a part-time Kitchen Manager, Lisa Richter Manrow, who has worked diligently to draw in the public and educate people on how to become an entrepreneur.  After only three months of operation we had one person baking bread and selling it at Farmers Markets, and 22 others who were in various stages of bringing their product to retail- obtaining insurance, creating labels, and working with Michigan's Dept. of Agriculture Inspector to obtain a license.   We ran a series of 8 classes introducing all the necessary steps involved with creating a food processing business and they were very well attended.  What a fabulous start for a long awaited dream!  These 22 people are on their way to creating jobs and income for themselves and others as their businesses prosper.

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For the highly successful Farm Party event

  

For Grow Benzie celebrating its 5th Birthday

 

We celebrated our fifth birthday at our Labor Day Farmers Market with extra special events.  It was so successful that we anticipate having special markets next year, perhaps 3-4 depending on how the season goes.  Only 50% of nonprofits survive the first year so we are grateful for all of the support that has made our longevity possible.

Click here 

labor day birthday 2013

for more about the Labor Day Birthday party.

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For our expanding school programs

1.  Our ongoing program at Platte River Elementary where many activities have taken place and are being expanded.

Picture from last spring with students preparing to plant.

Grow Benzie volunteer Lorna Mason helping student close down the garden for the winter. 

This year we are planning to involve the families from the school to continue the work in the gardens throughout the summer with the produce going home to the families who participate.

For more indepth stories on this program, click the following:

trip to Hoop house.  with details on closing down the site.