“A Couple of Bright Spots in an Otherwise Disheartening Year.”

That’s the headline on the lead article by Tom Springer, president of the St. Joseph County Conservation District, in the organization’s 2009 Annual Report.

Springer said, “Too much of Michigan has been hard hit with layoffs, business closings, reduced asset values, and slimmer operating margins.  Your St. Joe County Conservation District was not immune to this downturn.”

Springer explained that, during the summer, the district’s funding from the State of Michigan “was reduced to zero and it has not been returned in this latest State budget.”  He said, “At just the same time as your Conservation District was expanding its services to our county’s small farmers with the purchase of the MILLFARM property on M-66, we saw potential contributions from local and national foundations wither away as their own assets dwindled in the stock market debacle of last winter.  Too, Soil Erosion permitting (a revenue generating program of the Conservation District) saw a dramatic decline this past year as builders and landowners decided to forgo construction projects in the county as the collapsing housing bubble reassured no one of an appropriate return on investment.”

As a result of the hard times, the MILLFARM property has been put up for sale.  It’s listed now with Randy Sharp of RE/MAX Elite Group for $119,900.

The Conservation District’s Tim Peterson played an important role in fostering MILLFARM, an acronym for “Michiana Initiative Linking Local Foods and Regional Markets,” envisioned as a project that would transform the small farm west of Colon into a community kitchen co-op, educational center and retail outlet for small farm products.  In commenting on why the facility is closed and for sale, he noted the funding issues, but also cited “one positive reason:  We met our major goals of promoting local agriculture and incubating new businesses.”

Tim Peterson, then director of the St. Joseph County Conservation District, poses with the sign at the MILLFARM Cooperative during an open house in June.

Peterson gave the following examples:

•    “We connected urban customers with several area CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture operations) and specialty producers.
•    MILLFARM members have spun off to start a bakery, a butcher shop (under construction), and a large licensed commercial kitchen for processing fruits and vegetables (also under construction).
•    We filled local farmers markets and produce auctions with members’ produce and other local products, providing several families with a livelihood.
•    We distributed over $10,000 to our members in a four-month period.
•    We researched and wrote new legislation to legalize small-scale home food sales (two versions now pending in Lansing).
•    We established contracts with three area restaurants to provide local fresh produce and other farm products weekly.”

Reflecting on the situation, Peterson said, “So the project continues, and the work goes on, just without the showcase property on M-66.  Perhaps when we feel the time is right we can retool the effort and emerge in a new and better facility.  I think such a project could involve the entire tourism and economic development community, but right now everyone seems to be drawing back into some sort of shell until the political and economic climate is better.”  And he said, “I think we have demonstrated that it is feasible to partner, grow, and innovate our way out of these tough times, but for now we are being forced to focus on our core programs.”

Peterson explained that, as part of the streamlining, day-to-day management of the Conservation District has been turned over to Amy DeShon “in order to combine all administrative functions under one position.”  Also, Peterson’s “only role for the District now is to issue and enforce soil erosion permits, and to assist staff in other programs as needed.”

Peterson said he has accepted a teaching job in Sturgis for the remainder of the school year and will only be in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to process permits and deal with complaints.  But, he added, “By April we should have some additional staff to help deal with permits.”

Peterson said, “The next four to six months will be a difficult time for all of our Conservation Districts in Michigan.  Please be supportive and patient as we deal with a shrinking state budget.  Thankfully, our county Board of Commissioners is very supportive of our office and programs, and has enabled us to continue to provide services throughout the year.”

Peterson suggested checking the Conservation District’s website at www.stjoecountycd.com for up-to-date information on the organization’s programs.

Returning to Tom Springer’s comments in the Annual Report, Springer said that, despite all of the bad news, “There are some seriously positive bright spots we should be focused on as we move into 2010.”  He noted that St. Joseph County, which he described as “one of our most agriculturally prolific counties,” received funding for a new federal program called the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (or AWEP).  He noted that the Conservation District hosts a Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Technician who assists farmers in both Branch and St. Joseph counties.  He pointed to the District’s Annual Tree Sale program that has generated an additional 31,000 planted trees for St. Joseph County in the last four years.   And he said, “This year’s sale is featuring native species in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.”

The Conservation District’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Colon Public Library at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20th.  It will feature Steve Chadwick, State of Michigan Wildlife Biologist, who will speak on “Deer Management on Private Land.”