Hello!
My name is Jordan and I live on a decommissioned Air Force base in rural Upper Peninsula Michigan called K.I. Sawyer. Though it was once thriving with the hustle and bustle of Air Force soldiers, these days it consists of around 3,000 residents and there is not much happening economically. Prior to the pandemic there was already a serious lack of access to affordable, nutritious fresh foods. The pandemic highlighted cracks in the food system including how and where it is grown, manufactured and distributed. In the UP Michigan we import over 90% of our food! The exposure of these cracks via empty shelves has left many people (including me!) feeling insecure about our food sources.
As a problem solver and someone whose career was previously in event production, I suddenly had time to do some research in April 2020. Which is when I discovered Victory Gardens! In 1942 the government asked people to help support the war effort by supporting themselves through gardening. By 1944 (Just 2 years later!) victory gardens accounted for 40 percent of all the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the United States (inspiration!) We may not have a grocery store but we do have plenty of land-- and where better to revive Victory gardens than on a decommissioned Air Force base?
Conversations with neighbors alerted us to a few barriers including poor soil (its sand), financial barriers (start up is expensive) and knowledge (not sure how or where to start!) Over the last couple of years we have tried a couple of different angles to address these issues. In 2021 we gathered experts and funding and provided five families with all of the tools and knowledge needed to grow and prepare nutritious food at their homes. But other community members were also interested so in 2022 we hosted two large expo style events with access to free assets and a variety of hands on activities with a variety of experts who answered questions one on one and met people where they were at- that were open to everyone!
Goals for 2023- After two years of looking for a home base, we have just received land use permission from Marquette County to build a community garden!!! Besides addressing food security the garden will also provide area beautification, a location for gathering, recreation, leisure, and areas for children to play. Programming (focused on food) and maintenance will be managed by Let’s Grow KI with volunteers, experts and interns.
Let’s Grow KI (LGKI), is now its own 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to “plant seeds” for a healthier and more self-sustaining community through gardening, nutritional education, access to nutritious food, and community action! Funding for the initial build as well as ongoing maintenance and improvements will be raised by Let’s Grow KI through donations from community members, fundraisers, sponsors, and grants.
Please join us in collaboration to help make this Community Garden goal a reality!
Happy Holidays,
Jordan Russell
