New York Mills, MN

Farmers Market News submitted by Heather Cassidy.

Farmers’ Market first day open will be May 31, Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM

Grand opening celebration will be June 14th, Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM

We hope to have face painting and wagon rides.  We are looking for people to provide entertainment for the grand opening.  Are you a musician, petting zoo operator, art and craft teacher, artist, magician, pancake and sausage vendor or clown?  (or any combination of these things?)  We need you to make our Grand Opening fabulous! Call Pat Fredley to sign up as entertainers 385-2187.

 The 14th of June is the weekend of the Think-off and the Parade, so everyone will be in Mills, isn’t this exciting?!

At our last meeting Stephanie Goins brought in some excellent banner designs by Windy Lake sign company, and we finalized the design plans.  She also said Windy Lake Sign Company is donating free billboard space on Highway 10 near the VFW for our farmers market.

Our group is still working on Vendor Member Packets, which will contain all of the info and forms our members need to become vendors.  We hope to finish these at our next meeting, and send them out to our local vendors. 

If you want to sell your fresh veggies or fruits at our market, call Pat Fredley 385-2229.  The cost is 25 bucks per membership for a 10 X 10′ Stall space!  What a deal!  A few final plans need to be made, like insurance and layout of the booths at the park, and opening a bank account, voting on a board of directors, but the end is in sight. 

Everyone needs Friends!  “Friends of the New York Mills Farmers Market” are people just like you, that are excited to see our community becoming more sustainable by supporting local food producers.  To become a member, make a tax deductible donation to NYMFM in any amount that you can.  The money will go to help pay for things like: postage and copies, a changeable sign at the market about the special events for that day, trash service, porta potty rental, traffic cones, and advertising in local papers. 

We appreciate how the community is getting behind us, thank you so much.

Next Meeting is 10AM, Monday May 5th, at the Creamery Meeting Room call 385-JAVA for directions to the Creamery in Mills

Heather Cassidy
Horticulture by Heather LLC.
385-2229
horthelper@lakesplus.com

By Heather Cassidy
Farmers’ MarketCommittee as published in the New York Mills Herald 4/23/08

There is a lot of “behind the scenes” work being done to get the Farmer’s Market up and running here in Mills. The most recent meeting was on Monday April 21st at the Creamery. Some high-lights from that meeting are:

Signs
Dallas Flynn of the Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership announced the availability of a $500 grant to help the Farmers’ Market group purchase our eye-catching banners. Steph Goins will be gathering estimates on banner prices.

Rules and Membership fees
New York Mills Farmers’ Market Bylaws have been written.  There is a membership fee of $25 per vendor, per season. This $25 membership fee would include two free days of display in a 10-foot by 10-foot section.

In addition to the $25 membership fee, the vendors would be charged a fee of $5 for every day they set up their 10′ x 10′ display(excluding the two free days).

Members would have the option of paying for a $100 Full Season Display pass, which would allow them to set up during the two day per week market for the duration of the season ( about 18-20 weeks). At the next meeting we will review the bylaws and the membership form in preparation for mailing these forms out to the local producers.

Recruitment of More Vendors
The farmers already involved grow everything from veggies to fruits, honey, maple syrup, organic pork, herbs, cut flowers, bedding plants, houseplants, freshly baked goods, and a few hand woven rugs and sewn fabric grocery bags. We are still looking for more vendors to be part of this highly anticipated Farmers’ Market. If you know any local farmers who have unique high quality farm products to sell, please tell them about our market.

We are currently drafting a letter to local groups like 4H, FFA, High school Ag class, and churches. Our goal is to get these groups involved as vendors at the market. Can your group (or business) grow pumpkins, or sweet corn, or sell coffee and freshly baked items? The market may be a great fundraising opportunity for you.

Vendors Information Exchange and Discussion
At the last meeting, lots of information was exchanged between the growers on resources available to promote our products through personalized websites, free signs, and business cards. The discussion turned to products we could sell in addition to fresh produce that would help us diversify our product lines. After our next meeting we will spend time supporting each other as growers by exchanging technical information. Come with your questions about growing, scheduling, marketing, etc.

Grand Opening Celebration
At the next meeting we will plan our Grand opening date and events surrounding this event. Some of the ideas in the air include: Horse Wagon rides, Seminars by local master Gardeners, and musicians, and children’s activities.

Friends of the New York Mills Farmers’ Market
The community and businesses in Mills are exited about our new Farmers’ Market. The market will draw people into our town and benefit the local businesses with greater traffic flow. Our entire town will have improved access to fresh, local produce, packed with nutrients. We will be supporting local farmers and market gardeners. In short, there are lots of reasons to support the New York Mills Farmers’ Market. “Friends of the NYM Farmers’ Market” is a group of people who are helping with the start up costs of the market through tax deductible donations.

The next meeting is April 28, 1 p.m., at the Mills Creamery.

Contact Pat Fredley at 385- 2187, or Heather Cassidy 385-2229 with any questions about the NYM Farmers’ Market.

Article submitted by Lynn Kasma

Recent news reports have shown a dozen countries worldwide in the midst of food riots protesting the cost and availability of food.  This global issue will inevitably trickle down to us in some form though hopefully not as severe.  Regardless those who are struggling to make ends meet are feeling the pinch of increased prices at the grocery store and gas pumps and any relief available will be welcome.  So the question is:  Is it time to become involved in a community garden to ease your own budget or give to help someone else’s?

In either case the New York Mills community garden needs your help.  As a result of the Horizons program, a comprehensive approach to fight poverty in rural America, a group of dedicated volunteers are working diligently to offer local residents a chance to participate by:  reserving a 10′ by 10′ plot for personal or group use, donating tools and other items or through volunteer time.  In addition to individual plots a shared vegetable, herb and children’s space will be available.  All plots are free of charge with only a nominal commitment of time required.  

To reserve a garden plot contact Lynn Kasma at 385-4060 or through e-mail at lrkasma@hotmail.com.  If you visited the March Trade Show and filled out a form at the Horizons booth then you’re already on the list.  Current plans are for 12 plots unless demands require more.  They will be offered on a first come basis and we welcome civic groups, church groups or service groups who want to challenge their green thumb skills and provide for the needy.

To donate, a list of items needed include: garden tools, hoses, plant support systems, fertilizer, black dirt and a shed.  The drop off location for tools is the NYM Regional Cultural Center.  For any other items contact Lynn or Kevin Cederstrom at 385-4136.

To volunteer time to help prepare the soil, build the shed, paint signage or share your gardening knowledge please contact Lynn or Kevin for times and dates.

In conjunction with the community garden there will be a series of classes covering organic gardening techniques, food canning, freezing and storing methods, green issues supporting local food production and consumption, alternative energy innovations and art classes utilizing the inedible portions of garden plants.  These classes will be offered through the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, 4-H, U of M Extension, I.S.D. #553 and other local organizations.  This collaborative effort is further supported by the City Council with approved use of public land, for the garden, next to the City Shop.

Additional benefits for involvement in the community garden include:

• Support of green issues by eating food locally grown
• Improved health through exercise and consumption of organic produce
• Positive family activity- teaching your children respect for the earth and skills to provide for themselves
• Helping the less fortunate by sharing excess produce
• Reducing the cost of your personal food budget

Your help is needed to help alleviate poverty in our community.  The Horizons program is offered through the U of M Extension Service with a $10,000 grant from the Northwest Area Foundation.

Thanks to Heather Cassidy for submitting this information.

Our next Farmer’s Market meeting will be on Thursday April 17th.

We will meet at the Sculpture park to sketch out a layout for the best traffic flow and customer comfort at 9:45 AM, if the snow is mostly gone.

Then we will head over to the Creamery at 10 AM to blaze through an exciting agenda that will get us closer to our opening date of Memorial day weekend!

If you know a youth group, church group, or farmer that should get in on the action, please tell them!

If you can’t make the meetings, email Heather Cassidy at horthelper@lakesplus.com. I can keep you “in the know”.

There is a great deal of interest in our Farmers Market. It is exciting to know the community is behind this project 100%!

Please join us for a Round Table Discussion focusing on these topics:

Leadership ~ Volunteerism ~ Youth Involvement

Thursday, April 3 – 6:30 to 8:30 pm @ the NYM City Hall Ballroom

Everyone is invited!   Please RSVP horizonsteam@gmail.com.

Sponsored by the Horizons Team Volunteerism & Leadership Future Squads

If you have questions, please call 385-2436 or email jadams@newyorkmills.lib.mn.us.

Are you a farmer in the Mills area?  Do you grow fruits or veggies,  organic eggs, grass-fed beef, make honey, maple syrup or anything else agriculture related?  Then sell your goods at the new Farmers Market in Mills!  We have a vision of a well advertised market close to highway 10.  Come be part of the development of the Farmers Market.  Next meeting is March 17 at 10AM at the Creamery in New York Mills.  All potential vendors are welcome!

Submitted by Heather Cassidy

Horizons Meeting
Monday, February 11, 2008, 5:30 pm,
NYM High School Media Center

Present: Pat Fredley, Lori Rothstein, Julie Adams, Lynn Kasma, Pam Robinson, Janet Malone, Heather Cassidy, Elise Korentayer, Karen Oelschlager, Pat Buerkle, Victoria McWane-Creek, Kevin Cederstrom, Connie Warner, Bill Warner, Todd Cameron, Michelle Helmeke, Beverly Backstrom

Meeting began at 5:40 pm, Todd Cameron welcomed everyone.

Because Pat Fredley had to leave the meeting early, the Economy Future Squad report was moved up in the agenda. Pat reported that the Economy Future Squad has three new members and met two weeks ago. They met with Dallas Flynn from the Detroit Lakes Farmers Market. He gave them information on grants, an outline on how to set up a Farmers Market, etc. Their goal is to have the Farmers Market up and running mid-to-late summer. They have 3 more meetings scheduled, the next one being February 18, 10 am, at Subway. Their main goal will be to find a location and to find 4 or 5 committed vendors. They are writing a grant for signage.

Lori Rothstein gave an overview of the Horizons program.

The minutes from the last Horizons Team meeting on Friday, January 11, 2008 were reviewed.

Todd and Lori gave information on the financial structure and the process for allocating funds. There is $1,729.03 in the account, $1,500 of which is the first part of the $10,000 Northwest Area Foundation grant to be used for the final Work Plan. The remaining $8,500 is coming later. The $2,000 in Barrier Elimination Funds is expected soon. Lynn Kasma also reported that a $1,000.00 grant in conjunction with Youth Service Day was received. This grant will be administered through IMPACT to be used for the Community Garden by the Quality of Life Future Squad. Todd said there is a one page requisition form for Future Squad members to use when requesting funds. All allotments will be signed off by the Horizons Team.

Different aspects of marketing the Horizons program were discussed. Lynn will be organizing a booth for the Trade Show coming up on March 29th. Victoria McWane-Creek handed out copies of the brochure she put together. After discussing how many to print and for what reason, it was decided that Victoria will look into getting a modified quote. Julie Adams discussed how each Horizons Team member plans to meet with an organization or two in the community to discuss the Horizons Program. Todd will be on “Talk of the Town” on Lakes Radio next week. Kevin Cederstrom writes articles pertaining to Horizons as the need comes up.

Lori showed the group the Horizon’s sponsored Minnesota blog http://minnesota.communityblogs.us  and explained the different features. Julie showed the group the New York Mills blog at http://newyorkmills.communityblogs.us. Lori explained that it is very important for us to blog all of our activities as the Northwest Area Foundation uses the blog to track the activities of each Horizon community. Julie gave a brief outline on how to use igoogle to see the latest entries in the blog.

Future Squads Updates:
Economy—report was given earlier
Quality of Life—Lynn reported that they have narrowed their focus to working on the Community Garden. They have written an Action Plan and have received a Youth Service Learning grant. They want to start the Community Garden this spring. Right now they are looking at locations. They also hope in incorporate the school and the Cultural Center in on some activities such as having “green” classes, canning classes, and art classes using items from the garden. Todd suggested that he would be interested in teaching a “square foot gardening” class. Their next meeting will be soon.
Leadership—Julie reported that they have met and are looking at sponsoring Leadership Plenty, but in a modified form. Lori had agreed to help teach if her schedule allows. Julie reported that Denise Peltier has been doing research into mentoring programs.
Volunteerism—Victoria reported that her and Connie Warner have met and are putting together a form that will be mailed to all the organizations in the community. They information gathered from the form will help them but together a registry so that connecting people to volunteer opportunities will be easier. They are trying to include youth in on their project. Victoria asked if it is possible if students could get Service Learning credit for volunteering.

Lori reported there will be regional training sponsored by Horizons coming up this spring—the dates and location is to be determined. The topics they hope to cover are Non-Profit 101, Youth Engagement, Resources, and Committees that Work. Lori will get more information out to us as soon as possible.

Lori also reported on the Community Education Fund. There is $1500 in that fund. There is a form to fill out and can be used for trainings and workshops to help the Future Squads jumpstart their work. The applications for those funds go to Lori.

Discussion about the status of the Thrift Store idea that had come from the Study Circles—it was decided that it would be a project that the community would support, so if we find the right person to start this, it could be very successful.

The date for the next Horizons Team meeting was not decided.

The meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm, with the room available for any Future Squads that wanted to meet.

Kevin Cederstrom, New York Mills Herald–Published Thursday, February 7, 2008

The New York Mills Horizons community vision group is holding a meeting Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m., at the school. The meeting is open to the public including all past and present participants in the program, as well as a chance for new people to get involved in this community vision process.

The agenda includes an overview of Horizons and what the group has accomplished to this point, marketing, discussions on the blog site, the Horizons Team Work Plan, and Future Squads update. The Future Squads, four focus groups formed earlier in the Horizons process, consist of Economy, Quality of Life, Volunteerism, and Leadership.

The purpose of these groups is to find ways to better serve the community through ideas such as improving the economy, promoting energetic leadership in the community, helping various volunteer groups to work together, and how to carry out specific ideas such as starting a community garden in New York Mills.

Economy – support and assist agriculture, entrepreneurship and established business support

Leadership – Locating, training and mentoring visionary leaders for NY Mills’ future

Quality of Life – Addressing outdoor recreation, culture and arts, and other issues impacting quality of life

Volunteerism – Unify volunteer efforts, support service organizations, engage new volunteers, mentor youth and volunteer recognition

The public is invited to attend the meeting and encouraged to get involved with one of the four Future Squads.

The Horizons program, sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation and brought to New York Mills by the University of Minnesota Extension, is a community leadership program aimed at reducing poverty in rural and reservation communities with populations of 5,000 or fewer. The program is about the changes a community can make to move from waiting to leading, from talking to action, from control by few to the participation of many, and from indifference to pride. Ultimately, it is about community leadership that can act to reverse a community’s economic and population decline and move toward prosperity.

It explores the perceptions and the sources of poverty, recognizing that it isn’t always just about lack of money. The program focuses on poverty, because poverty impacts everyone in a community. Horizons builds stronger community leadership, acknowledging that leadership is as important as good roads, great schools and clean water.

nym-horizons.pdf

Here is a design with the changes that were suggested.  If someone, would take this and get an estimate to print these, 2 sided, legal, glossy, where the qty price break is etc, that would be great.  Also might want to know what the charge to fold will be this brochure is designed to fold in half twice…if you see anything else that I can add or take away let me know.