We’ve all had that experience: unexpectedly flabbergasted by a friend or acquaintance’s lack of ag awareness, even around their own hometown, from Bay County’s sugar beets to Berrien’s peaches.
Clinton County Farm Bureau recently set out to boost local ag awareness with their Connecting Communities grant. The Taste of Clinton County event welcomed more than 50 attendees to the farm of Clinton County Farm Bureau member Andy Todosciuk.
The social event featured roving appetizers crafted from locally raised beef, pork and chicken; Uncle John’s cider; Cream and Sugar ice cream (made with MMPA milk); Andy T’s own sweet corn and wine from nearby Burgdorf's. The food samples were supplemented by information packets about other products from the county and a Michigan Vegetable Council display.
Clinton County Farm Bureau President Kristi Keilen was elated at the result.
“It was a fun event and the people who came from the community were just raving about it,” she said. “It surprised me how excited and receptive the community was.
“The whole idea behind it was just what the grant says: connecting our community with our farmers, and trying to showcase the food we produce here in Clinton County.”
Young Farmer Chair Allison Schafer targeted associate members with promotional efforts through direct email and social media posts.
“The Connecting Community grant forced us to be really intentional in our planning,” Schafer said. “It helped shift our mindset about who we were engaging — the general public.”
Keilen agreed:
“I absolutely feel like the grant spurred something — a different direction from what we were used to — and helped us get out of a planning rut,” she said. “We’ve already decided that we want to do this event next year and make it a part of our annual programming.”
For other county Farm Bureaus, Keilen has a ringing endorsement: “Don’t overthink it! It’s a very simple event.
“Find your community resources and utilize them. The event allowed farmers and the people they feed time to mingle and chat, allowing them to see they have a lot more in common that they thought.
“It was great to see that relationship being built.”
The 2024 Connecting Communities Grant program awarded 54 county Farm Bureaus $1,000 grants to meet the consumers where they are. Looking to hold a similar event with your county Farm Bureau? Contact Clinton County Farm Bureau for more information.
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