Tyner Pond Farms

Chris Baggott, owner of Tyner Pond Farm, a local farm utilizing sustainable agriculture practices spoke to Kiwanis about his venture.   The farm located at 7408 East 200 South in Greenfield was purchased by Baggott in 2010.  The farm now hosts laying and broiler chickens, cattle, pigs, a chicken processing area and a rental farmhouse.   Baggott says environmentally sustainable farms depend on multiple businesses being based on 1 farm and the direct marketing and sales of products.

In 1900, Indiana had 222,000 farms.  By 1962 the number of Indiana farms had dropped to 126,000.  In 2012 the number of Indiana farms is estimated to be 58,000.  The majority of these farms buys their supplies and sells their products to companies based outside Hancock County.  It is estimated that the Hancock County households spent $180 million last year on food.  Local sustainable farms can capture a part of that $180 million and create an enterprise that will yield  more than just crop farming willing on comparable acreage. 

Sustainable agriculture based on grass feeding of livestock requires fencing and chicken houses must be moved from one area to another of the farm on regular basis.  Baggott can raise and process and then sell the meat and eggs directly through online orders.  He hopes to be able to have store that does not require reservations of sales. 

For more information you can visit the website, www.TynerPondFarm.com , visit their Facebook page, or drive out to 7408 East 200 South and visit the farm.   

Mental Health Gift Lift

 

Kiwanis heard from Mental Health America of Hancock County about the Christmas Gift Lift for 2012. Kara Harrison, Executive Director; Jill Null, Gift Lift Chair; and Nancy Striebeck, Personal Care Gift Chair told Kiwanians that volunteers provide individualized gifts and a personal care box for 500 individuals.  The Gift lift serves isolated senior citizens, chronically mentally ill, and developmentally disabled identified from local nursing homes, group homes, and mental healthcare providers. 

Gift Request tags for specific gifts can be picked up at the tree in Wal-Mart, local churches and the Mental Health America Office.  Gifts of personal care items including shampoo, toothpaste, hand soap, lotion, facial tissues, lip balm, body wash, toothbrush, hand sanitizer, deodorant, comb, calendars, and puzzle books can be left at the donation box in Wal-Mart or brought to the MHA office.  Financial gifts, Wal-Mart gift cards, and gift cards for fast food restaurants in Greenfield are also needed. 

Individual and group volunteers to wrap gifts and put care packages together are needed as well.  To make a contribution or drop off presents or volunteer contact the Mental Health America Office at 98 East North Street, Suite 204, Greenfield.  Their phone number is 462-2877.  Further information is available at their website www.mentalhealthamericahc.org .