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Seeking city’s help for farm— Community Roots farm founders Chris Baker and Elisha Lee convince the Lake Helen City Commission to waive the fees for their use of Hopkins Hall for a pancake breakfast and silent auction. The April 25 fundraiser will support Lake Helen’s organic community farm.
By Pat Hatfield
posted Apr 3, 2009 - 9:32:22am
Getting a community organization off the ground isn’t easy — especially one as complicated as a community cooperative farm.
Farm founders Chris Baker and Elisha Lee went before the Lake Helen City Commission asking for the city’s support and help.
The first bit of that help will come 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 25, for a fundraising pancake breakfast and silent auction. The city is allowing the farm free use of Hopkins Hall for the event.
Lee is asking for donations of auction items.
“Artwork, services, goods. All items will go to benefit the farm,” Lee said.
The group needs money for fencing, a pump, and other equipment.
The Lake Helen farm, called Community Roots, is putting down roots and growing. Organizers have incorporation papers, and expect to have 501(c)(3) nonprofit-organization status any day.
Baker and Lee began to grow the farm idea last May. They called it “It’s Our Farm.”
In June, Baker, Lee and Oscar Williams, along with other volunteers, began work on the farm’s first plot of donated ground on McKenzie Road. They discovered some of the difficulties of farming, such as the challenge of finding a plow tough enough to break through bahia sod.
Now, roots are going down on another piece of land: 6 acres on King Street in Lake Helen, next to Lake Helen Equestrian Park.
“The property on King Street is much more accessible,” Williams said.
Another plus is, it’s already zoned agricultural, with one strip zoned commercial.
Steve Costa is leasing the acreage to Community Roots for $10 a year, Williams said.
Baker and Lee hope for more help from the city. They need city water, and hope to get building-permit fees and inspection fees waived. They also need use of the rest-rooms at the Equestrian Park.
One step at a time, commissioners told the group.
The first step was free use of Hopkins Hall at 192 Connecticut Ave., for the pancake-and-auction fundraiser. Commissioner Cameron Lane made the motion, which fellow commissioners approved unanimously.
Lane said he’s all for the project.
“It will be one of those things that benefit everyone,” he said.
Commissioner Vernon Burton agreed.
“A community garden would pay for itself over time, and be an asset to the community,” Burton said.
Lee and Baker hope to involve the community.
While not everyone can run a farm or successfully grow a garden, individuals can be part of community-supported agriculture, Baker explained.
Involvement can be limited to buying shares in the farm and getting produce in return, or can go as deep as getting your hands in the dirt and working on the farm.
Educational programs for schoolchildren and people who want to start home gardens will be a big part of the farm. For more information, or to donate auction items, call Elisha Lee at (386) 228-2905.
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Miss Lee....question.....do you or any of your "founders" reside in or own property in Lake Helen?
I have attended meeting my entire time in this city, and you are completely clueless if you think ANY of the Commissions have been "conservative". The majority are registered democrats, and have been for years. It is the vocal minority that attempts to keep the $$$$$$ in check, but since we are dipping into reserves......that is conservative? PLEASE
Although this project is commendable, the City needs to reduce it's utility costs not increase them.
Progress Energy does not give the citizen or the City a "break" on it's usage bill.
Somewhere there has got to be some conservation. Yes, it takes electricity to run the pumps that provide water to the system.
This project should be done with private donations.
You are correct..." routinely" is the key word. This routine is was has us going into the red. We cannot sustain this routine.
Dear Miss Lee,
Your endeavor may be a laudable one with great promise...but you have got to come to the realization that THE CITY is the taxpayer. Although you have to ASK the Commission for permission, it is the citizen who pays the tab.
We have been shortchanged for the last 10 years or more on infrastructure improvements with OUR $$$$, so, in these tight times, the room for more indiscriminate spending is simply not there.
Please....continue with your private efforts to raise capital for your project....but give the taxpayer a break.
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