“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.” 

 — Winston Churchill

 The term “Advent” means “coming” and is a season of expectation and hope, the time of waiting for the coming of the Messiah that is celebrated at Christmas. While we are waiting for the promise that is Christmas, we reflect on this past year. Where we have come. Where we are. Where we are headed.

Christmas Past: Our mission is to operate, promote, and demonstrate the use of sustainable agriculture as a vehicle for job training, employment, food access, and community development. Plainly, the produce we grow is donated to the community via food pantries and food banks. We have an employment program to train those with job insecurities and give them the skills needed to enter the workforce with our community partners. Between 2017 and 2020 Evan and Autumn made significant investments in building a greenhouse and hoop-house that allow us to grow enough food to give away 20,000 meals, but we wanted to give away even more. In order to give away more, we ask you tell your friends about what we are doing. Share our blog or website on social media today!

Christmas Present: We currently have a crop of 680 head of lettuce ready to be harvested and distributed for Christmas. We are ready to provide a nutritious meal to those who would not otherwise have enough food at Christmas. This fall we applied for, and were awarded, a grant through the Indiana Health Department and the CDC in order to purchase a tractor and implements that will enable us to give away 43,000 additional meals next year. This equipment allows us to begin farming more land than we can do by hand.

We also rely on our volunteers who come out and plant, weed and pick produce, they have been a huge help this year! They are eager to help and do more for the families we serve here in central Indiana. Next year we will have work for even more volunteers so that we can increase how much grow and give away! No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn and a heart for giving food to those in need. Come join us as a volunteer by giving your time to feed families in need.

Christmas Future: The future is bright. Your support will have a huge impact on the children and families in our community. Our long term goals are simple. We want to give away over 500,000 meals a year and provide training opportunities through our employment program to 80 individuals a year. With your support, we can achieve these goals. You may hear this everywhere you go, but every $1 counts in feeding families in need! As little as $50 can feed 300 people a meal. Or $377 helps train 1 employee for a week learning life long skills that will get them on the path of rehabilitation. Your donation will help train our first person in need in 2022, but we envision 80 people a year learning on our farm through your donations.

What can you do today?

• Please consider setting up a monthly donation. Any amount is helpful and is tax deductible.
• Volunteer! Farming takes many hands. If we want to reach our goals for next year we need help.
• Spread the word. If out mission resonates with you please spread the word to your friends, family and place of business. Word of mouth is the best way to spread the mission.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Evan and Autumn