It is time for our annual garden fundraiser! I understand not everyone can give. My intention is not to make anyone feel pressure through this campaign, but to share my excitement and appreciation for this special garden. If you can give, any amount is appreciated. We greatly appreciate you sharing this effort with your friends and family, or on social media if you do that sort of thing!
This year, we are combining all our fundraising efforts into one big garden project – upgrading and repairing our solar electric system.
Our goal for the $eedMoney campaign is $3000 and we are dedicated to raising additional funds through our annual grant requests.
We rely 100% on the electricity generated by our solar panels. We have solar battery storage that is not holding enough of a charge to reliably power our well pump and pressure pump that waters the entire garden and livestock on the property. Some of our solar panels were purchased almost 30 years ago second-hand! All funds raised this year will go towards new batteries, new panels, and the hardware and labor to install the upgraded parts. Fortunately, solar has become easier and more affordable since we first installed our system.
Last year we raised over $3000 from your generous donations, earning us an additional $600 in bonus grants from $eedMoney. I personally cannot express my gratitude enough.
I was able to join the garden members for the end-of-season harvest and work party, preparing the garden for winter. It was a joyous and well-attended event. After a morning of work, we shared a lunch of squash soup, chili and cornbread. The goats and chickens appreciated the extra treats of garden scraps that day and the weather was beautiful! Over the last nine years, everyone who has contributed to this annual fundraising effort has become part of our garden family. Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. I have had the joy of watching the garden expand, feeding more and more people over the years. I learned to love gardening through this project and watched others do the same. We have hosted permaculture workshops, had volunteers from all over the world, shared the gift of fresh produce with countless families through food bank donations and free or affordable seasonal garden shares.
I would love to share more about the Atalanta Cooperative Orchard-Garden. Please reach out if you have any questions or if you would like to visit!
All donations are tax-deductible and through the amazing $eedMoney platform, 100% of the money donated goes to the garden – they do not charge any fees. If you are able, I also encourage you to donate to $eedMoney. It is an amazing organization doing wonderful things for garden projects all over the world.
With Love and Gratitude,
Marcella
Board Member