OUR STORY SO FAR . . .
The first stage of the Hansville Farm Project was conceptual. In March, we brought the idea of a community farm to many community members, and the response was very positive. As a tentative group was formed, we sorted through a variety of community farm models and questioned what would work best with the land that was available and for the people who it would serve. From the proposals, we created a mission statement to guide the project.
The second stage began to develop in April, and it entailed defining what would be practical. We researched how the land might be acquired and what kind of organization we would need to create in order to purchase it. We met with various leaders in our community as well as a number of county officials. We made presentations to the Hansville Greenway Association and the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC) and gained both of their endorsements. In the process, we also earned the support and enthusiasm of two of our county commissioners, Rob Gelder and Charlotte Garrido. We met with several representatives of county and federal agencies, toured the farmland with them, and then gathered information from farmers and conservationists about how to go forward. We also made preliminary inquiries into potential funding sources.
In June, we had a meeting with associates from Olympic Properties (the owners of the land) and discussed possible acquisition scenarios. One idea that came out of that meeting was to lease the property while we built up the funds to purchase it. Over time it became clear that we would best meet the goals of the HFP by forming our own, independent, nonprofit organization.
Around this same time it became clear that many participants from the initial project group were unable to commit to the time and responsibility necessary for the more demanding workload of creating, funding, organizing, and running our future organization. As the remaining members, we have taken the process as far as we can on our own. Bylaws have been written. Articles of Incorporation have been established, and many of the needs necessary to go forward have been defined. With that done, the second stage was complete.
The second stage began to develop in April, and it entailed defining what would be practical. We researched how the land might be acquired and what kind of organization we would need to create in order to purchase it. We met with various leaders in our community as well as a number of county officials. We made presentations to the Hansville Greenway Association and the Greater Hansville Area Advisory Council (GHAAC) and gained both of their endorsements. In the process, we also earned the support and enthusiasm of two of our county commissioners, Rob Gelder and Charlotte Garrido. We met with several representatives of county and federal agencies, toured the farmland with them, and then gathered information from farmers and conservationists about how to go forward. We also made preliminary inquiries into potential funding sources.
In June, we had a meeting with associates from Olympic Properties (the owners of the land) and discussed possible acquisition scenarios. One idea that came out of that meeting was to lease the property while we built up the funds to purchase it. Over time it became clear that we would best meet the goals of the HFP by forming our own, independent, nonprofit organization.
Around this same time it became clear that many participants from the initial project group were unable to commit to the time and responsibility necessary for the more demanding workload of creating, funding, organizing, and running our future organization. As the remaining members, we have taken the process as far as we can on our own. Bylaws have been written. Articles of Incorporation have been established, and many of the needs necessary to go forward have been defined. With that done, the second stage was complete.
Now we are ready to move to the third stage:
from imagining the dream . . .
. . . to creating the REALITY!
And we know we cannot do it without more commitment from the community. We need at least twelve more people to join us, to take positions on the board, to research critical issues, to fundraise, to meet with other movers and shakers in the community, the county, and in the state, so we can get this community farm moving along.
Check out the following Web pages to learn more.
Volunteer Positions (for a list of open positions)
Bylaws (for descriptions of responsibilities and roles for board members)
Check out the following Web pages to learn more.
Volunteer Positions (for a list of open positions)
Bylaws (for descriptions of responsibilities and roles for board members)
