Farmer Residency at SEEDS in Michigan

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Taylor in Business, Community Development, Farming Resources, Finding Land, Food Systems, Incubators, Sustainable Agriculture // 0 Comments

Request for Proposals for Farmer Residency at SEEDS in Traverse City, Michigan – 2020

Are you a Farmer or farming-inclined and just wish you had a plot of land in Traverse City to grow and experiment with? Do you have a vision and capacity for an agricultural or horticultural installation that invites visitors and the public to look and learn? SEEDS is seeking proposals for the 2020 growing season at Historic Barns Park!

Proposals Due By : January 30, 2020.
Interviews and Selections will be made during February, 2020

Farmer Residency Summary: SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers manages just over 5 acres of the Historic Barns Park. This 56-acre parkland is part of the Grand Traverse Commons and the old State Asylum complex and is now owned by the residents of Traverse City and Garfield Township. It is being redeveloped into a one-of-a-kind regional hub for public recreation, community events, agriculture, horticulture, and environmental design. Since 2010 SEEDS has operated a farmer residency program on portions of its management area.

Eligible Activities: All entities including individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits are welcome to apply. Activities can include small scale farming, installations incorporating and demonstrating regenerative land use concepts, native plant installation or nursery, and other related ideas.

Activities must use landscape management methods and amendments that are considered acceptable under the rules governing Organic Certification, including no petrochemical fertilizers or pesticides. No animal husbandry/livestock activities may be conducted on the property.

Farmer Residency Responsibilities: SEEDS will provide the land. Fee structures, access to utilities (e.g. soil amendments, water), and communications or outreach support shall be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Access to Conservation Corps labor can also be negotiated. Resident Farmers will be solely responsible for their specified activities, maintaining a safe and inviting aesthetic, and reporting progress regularly throughout the year. In accordance with SEEDS desire to not unfairly compete, any produce or items produced on the Farm intended to be sold must be disclosed and sold at the high end of local market pricing.

Qualifications: All entities including individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits are welcome to apply. Proof of appropriate insurance coverage will be required. Applicants with more experience related to their proposal concept will be given priority.

Sites: Proposal Three different management areas are available. Please visit HERE for the map and description of each area.

Proposal Components: Submit all proposal documents to jennifer@ecoseeds.org as attachments. Include “Historic Barns Park Proposal” in the subject line.

Proposals should clearly describe proposed activities to take place on SEEDS management area and indicate which portion and amount of acreage needed for proposed activities. Include:

Detail on past land management/farming/artistic experience and any other experience relevant to the proposed activity (MAXIMUM 2 PAGES)
Narrative description of proposed activity (MAXIMUM 5 PAGES)
Any additional experience you wish to communicate
Any planned business activities (this is not required, but must be disclosed) including means of bringing any produce or product to market
Description of strategies to manage waste and enhance the land including composting, soil amendments, pest management, public safety
Description of any interest in public engagement and a draft calendar of activities
Description of planned or desired marketing activities/outreach
Equipment planned or desired to be utilized
Description of required or desired storage space or other structures
Budget and description of financial sustainability (1-2 PAGES)
Artistic/conceptual projects should include a sketch and images of prior works

Proposal Evaluation-Proposals will be evaluated based on the following considerations:

Demonstrated experience in proposed activities
Alignment with SEEDS mission to implement carbon drawdown strategies, clean energy
demonstrations, and clean food solutions at Historic Barns Park
Collaborative elements that engage both the public, SEEDS, and Park partners
Ability to creatively address a unique problem in the community or demonstrate a unique concept not incorporated elsewhere at the Park
Financial support and sustainability for duration of activities

Any selected Resident Farmers will be expected to complete a contractual land rental agreement with SEEDS and acquire the necessary licenses and insurance by April 1, 2020.

Contact for Questions about the Farmer Residency: Jennifer Flynn jennifer@ecoseeds.org or 828.380.9541