The project was initiated by a $1,000 grant from the New Missions account in the Outreach Committee budget to purchase the inputs necessary to produce the crop. This money was doubled when the Richland First Presbyterian Church joined with us in the project. Their money was raised by their youth group, who did a weekend ‘fast.’

At first we were having difficulty locating any land for the project and then Dawn and Randy Vander Ploeg offered the use of 29 acres on their farm, near Decatur, MI. As the planting season slipped away it appeared that we were not going to be able to find anyone willing to farm the land for us. A farmer with land adjacent to our field volunteered to farm the land and to find donors who would provide the seed, chemicals and most of the fertilizer to produce our crop.

We were again blessed when the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portage joined us and raised over $10,000 for the project by hosting a breakfast. They have had FRB projects near Scotts, Michigan, for several years, but lost the land for a housing development.

The seed was planted late for this locale, with the corn plants emerging from the ground on June 1st. As the growing season progressed it was evident that rainfall might not be adequate to bring the crop to maturity. Corn plants in parts of the field exhibited signs of drought but again our field was blessed by small rain showers at critical times. Our experiences mirrored the risks endured by farmers everywhere. At the end of the summer it was obvious that we had produced a bumper crop of corn.

On November 5th, a Harvest Celebration was held at the field and attended by over 50 people, including many from the Decatur community. A pork barbeque lunch was served, complete with homemade desserts of every kind. Jeff Ross led a worship service and his wife, Ann, and daughter, Mackenzie, performed in song and dance. Bernie Rodee (Westminster) and Jim Van Buren did the scripture readings. A notice about the Harvest Celebration was placed in the Sunday bulletin and in the Presbyter and it was announced at the Men’s Group. In spite of these efforts, only seven members of our congregation were present.

This growing project netted a total of approximately $15,000, including the surplus cash raised to cover the out-of-pocket costs. The actual revenue from production of the corn was slightly over $5,000, which was approximately one-half of the actual cost to produce the crop. The shortfall needed to cover the actual cost of production represents the contribution of the farmer and the other agri-businesses toward the project. It might seem more efficient to just turn over the cash that is raised to FRB for investment in mission projects, but by doing this the significant “in kind” contributions would not be realized and the project would have actually netted only about $12,000.

In addition to the money raised by the growing project, there was considerable “community” created among the three churches that participated and with the numerous people in Decatur that were involved in the project. If the project is attempted in 2006 there will be effort made to include the Presbyterian and Catholic churches in Decatur.

Overseas Mission Project
The coalition of contributors for the Decatur growing project selected the Nkhoma Lakeshore Expansion Area Project (LEAP) in Malawi to receive the proceeds for funding of the third year of three-year project.* The Nkhoma Relief and Development agency will double its impact by expanding into a new and very needy area of the country. The goal is to:

• Produce sustainable and measurable change in food production through initiatives such as compost manure, new crops, and animal husbandry.
• Improve storage and marketing of farm products.
  Support literacy and health efforts as the farmers are predominantly womem.

The FRB Implementing Members involved in the Malawie project are:

• Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), Lead NGO
• Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)
• Reformed Church of America (RCA)
• United Church of Christ-Wider Church Ministries (UCC)
• United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

Future of the Decatur Growing Project
The collaborators in the Decatur Growing Project universally agreed that the project was an unqualified success. The land owners, agri-business contributors and the farmer are committed to another project next year. For this year’s project the total out-of-pocket cost for the 29 acres was be approximately $2,500, while a total of over $12,000 was raised to cover out-of-pocket expenses. A good goal for next year could be to dramatically increase the scope of the project, which could be accomplished by:
• Adding 25-50 acres of land in the Decatur area.
• Gaining broader participation among churches (Presbyterian and Catholic) and farmers in the Decatur community.
• Enlisting other churches in Kalamazoo and surrounding communities to raise funds to support the project.

In regard to participation by the congregation at First Presbyterian Church in 2006, it is hereby proposed that the Outreach Committee allocate $1,000 from its budget for financial support. If the Outreach Committee budget will not accommodate this amount, then it is proposed that the Session be petitioned to allow direct solicitation of the congregation so that this important work can continue.

*See web link: http://www.foodresourcebank.com/MalawiNkhomaOverviewYr2%207-7-03.htm.

(Prepared by Jim Van Buren; submitted on December 1, 2005)

Welcome | News & Information | Who We Are | Ministry | Mission | Facilities | Youth News
Newsletter | Pastors | Worship