Crosshatch awarded $50,000 to build more resilient farms


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Crosshatch was awarded $50,000 through the Extension Risk Management Education Competitive Grants Program, a program of the US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Crosshatch will utilize the grant to provide programming for small farmers in Northwest Lower Michigan in regenerative agriculture, agroforestry and renewable energy, reducing risk for farmers facing challenges in the current financial climate and helping them to adapt to weather shocks.

Workshops will include silvopasture and alley cropping; forest farming; living fences and hedgerows; on-farm renewable energy; and carbon farming. 

In partnership with the NWMI Small Business and Development Center and Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse and Antrim Conservation Districts, farmers will be provided with individual follow-up sessions to develop and implement business and agroforestry plans.

The popular Twilight Tours series—free farm tours by farmers for farmers— will focus on examples of regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and renewable energy in practice. 

Thanks for a great conference!

“I love the Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference! It is a gathering of many of my favorite people, many of whom I only see once or twice a year. I can count on new things and making connections that are important to me.” —Conference attendee

Thank you for another great conference! From the feedback, you loved the conference as much as we did. Thanks for showing up, digging deep, and learning with us.

In the News: Long Memory Project in 9&10 News

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GTPulse: Long Memory Project Preserves More Than History

October 3, 2019

Brighid Driscoll

I have fuzzy memories of reading The Giver when I was in middle school. What I can remember is a community elder passing down the communities memories through storytelling and teaching. We have history books and media to recount events, but where do communal memories go? When something significant happens in a community, where do the emotions and the details disappear to as time passes? Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology in Bellaire, Michigan is working to preserve Northern Michigan’s memories of hope, activism, social justice and so much more through their Long Memory Project.

Read more at 9&10 News.

Hill House Alum Update

As spring slowly rolls into summer, and we do mean slowly, we take a moment to reflect on our Hill House alums and what they have been involved with over the past few months.

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Passepartout Duo:
This past spring, Passepartout Duo, comprised of Christopher Salvito on drums/percussion and Nicoletta Favari on piano/keyboard, released a new piece on Bandcamp entitled, “A Northern Year,” featuring composer, Hafdís Bjarnadóttir. Listen to this inspiring and haunting track HERE.


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Heather Lockie:
Heather Lockie, a performer/composer out of Los Angeles, released a new song as well, “Genius Machine,” from the album Marshweed in the Garden. This particular song even made it to a Spotify playlist.

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Abigail Lapell:
Abigail received the No Depression Singer-Songwriter Award with the Fresh Grass Festival this spring. In addition to this honor, her modern folk album, Hide Nor Hair, won the Canadian Folk Music Award. Hear a couple of her pieces HERE.

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Jenny Johnson:

The National Endowment of the Arts offered a literature fellowship to Hill House alum Jenny Johnson this year. Jenny received recognition for her work in creative writing. See some of her work HERE.

Hill House Alum Update

Winter breeds inspiration—the home-bound weeks, the quiet, the stark, monochrome world. And when this is more debilitating than inventive, we can help. Check out some happenings from a few Hill House alums to warm your soul.

ARTIST NEWS

Charming Disaster

Charming Disaster, the Brooklyn duo known for their macabre, folk-noir tunes, have reached their goal on Kickstarter for album #3, Spells + Rituals. This compilation will feature songs about poison, witches, steampunk, monsters and the end of the world. Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris have begun work on this album with thoughts of album #4 already a-brewing. Keep up with Charming Disaster and read more about their Kickstarter campaign here.

Passepartout Duo

Passepartout Duo announced that during their residency at De Grote Post in Ostend, they filmed Marta Forsberg's new piece called Gentle Acts. Check this out on YouTube. They will also be returning to the states for residencies and will be conducting concerts in Italy this spring. A new journey begins for the piano/percussion duo in April 2019 for another multi-year journey to commission new works, this time through Asia. The compilation of their similar journey through the Nordic countries can be seen here.

Scott Hocking

Detroit-based artist and Hill House alum Scott Hocking, was nominated to be among 100 influential Detroiters to be photographed and interviewed for Marcus Lyon'sI.Detroit: A Human Atlas of Detroit project. Along with this recognition, Scott has created many site-specific, monstrous installations now gracing southeastern Michigan. From Seventeen Shitty Mountains, created at a decades-vacant Detroit Water & Sewerage building, to The Sleeper (Cowcatcher) created using over 300 railroad ties and artifacts collected from railroad yards of various tracks throughout Detroit and Lansing, to creating a new large-scale site-specific installation for the expansive exhibition Landlord Colors: On Art, Economy, & Materiality, curated by Laura Mott for Cranbrook Art Museum in 2019, Scott has a lot of news. See the entire eblast here.

Latham Zearfoss

Latham Zearfoss was named in Art 50 as one of Chicago’s Artist’s Artist. Their work as an artist spans various genres, all to confront the issue “selfhood and otherness.”  Dismissing boundaries between art media and uniting human beings in collective struggle, political and personal, is at the core of their pieces. Their shorts were screened at New York City’s Union Docs this past spring and last year they co-organized Open Engagement in New York City. Since 2005, Zearfoss has co-organized Chances Dances, a queer collective and monthly dance party.

Kevin Doyle

New York-based playwright and director Kevin Doyle has been selected as the sixth Saari Invited Artist. This past September he began working at the Saari Residence for artists and researchers, maintained by Kone Foundation in Mynämäki. Doyle is currently exploring ways to make visible the gap between reality and the compressed and consolidated versions of reality created by media. At the Saari Residence, Doyle wrote several plays that he has been developing for nearly two decades.

Warm winter wishes to you all. Email us if you have alumn updates of your own for us to share!

Hill House Alumnx Update

Our alumnx do great things. While their time at the Hill House may have passed, we like to keep abreast of their work. Exhibitions, albums, publications—our alumnx are firing it up this year.

Scott Hocking

Hill House alumnx and Detroit-based artist, Scott Hocking, was featured on Michigan Radio’s Stateside this month. He discussed the new exhibition of his work entitled Old, on view at David Klein Gallery in Detroit until June 23. Scott states his use of found materials for his various installations is an expression of our relation to past, present and future as a society. “...if I’m creating a sculpture that has these kind of archetypal images, shapes inside vacant structures, for example, things people might see as ‘ruins.’ Then I’m interested in how people see a ruin within a ruin. Why one ruin might be considered a monument while another might be considered negative.” Listen to the interview in its entirety here.

Christa Couture

Award winning performing and recording artist, and non-fiction writer, Christa Couture, did a photoshoot at the end of her pregnancy last fall. Christa, who lost her leg in 25 years ago, wanted to bring awareness to the lack of pregnancy photos of those living with a disability. “It took me a long time to believe I could be a disabled parent in part because I found so few examples of other people doing it,” Couture said. “Disabled people are constantly told they can’t do things — either directly or indirectly in the narratives in movies, sitcoms, advertising etc. This is my one tiny way of combating that.” See the full article by Elizabeth Cassidy of the The Mighty here.

Nicole Garneau

Nicole Garneau’s latest work from the UPRISING project, Performing Revolutionary: Art, Action, Activism, was published by Intellect Books. Nicole, a Chicago-based performance artist and writer, wrote this part how-to guide and part memoir to bring awareness to the role of art in activism. The result of five years of experiential research into political public events, Performing Revolutionary, relays the story of Nicole’s participation in a myriad of events throughout America and Europe to initiate change with radically inspired art-based events. Get a copy of the book here.

Wildmaker

Wildmaker released their latest CD this month, Zion. Brooklyn based musicians, Gabriel Birnbaum, Adam Brisbin, Nick Jost, Sean Mullins and Katie Von Schleicher, collaborated to bring us what they refer to as the first chapter in a musical novel. The album chronicles their years trudging through New York City trying to make that coveted break. From the clouds to the quagmire of a burgeoning New York artist’s life, the music takes listeners through the emotions and places of this journey. Hear a track and get the disc here.

Micro Loan Recipients Announced

Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology and Grain Train Natural Foods Markets Announce Awards for Area Small Farms.

BELLAIRE, MI — Following a successful Micro Loan program in 2016 and 2017, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology and Grain Train Natural Foods Markets teamed up again to offer loans for farms and food related businesses in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Otsego counties.

Farmers, agribusinesses, and food business entrepreneurs were invited to apply for the Micro Loan program aimed at enhancing the food and farming network in the Northwestern Lower Peninsula. With $10,000 worth of interest-free loans, the organization’s goals are to help local farmers grow their businesses while building an economy based in community. Out of seven finalists, three young growers were awarded with funds from the Micro Loan allowing doors to open into new farm ventures for two awardees and, for an already established farm, expansion into four-season growing.

This year’s first loan recipient is Natalya Aho of Madcrow Market Garden.  Madcrow Market Garden is a small-scale, intensive market garden newly located at the Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center in East Jordan. Natalya, a Providence Farm trained grower, plans to use the funds to invest in a cooler, food scale, and perimeter fencing in order to build the infrastructure necessary to become a dedicated market grower.

The second loan recipient is Rachel Cross of Spirit of Walloon located in Boyne City near Walloon Lake. Five short, intense years ago, the farm began on just ¼ of an acre. Seven greenhouses, 1.3 acres of production in place, and thousands of pounds of produce later, Rachel had the desire to expand the farm further. The Micro Loan funding will help Rachel create a four-season wash-and-pack-station enabling her to increase on-farm efficiency and provide local fresh food every month of the year.

The third recipient is Nicholas Paxton of Joli Cochon Farm. Nicholas of East Jordan (also a Providence Farm trained grower housed at Wagbo) is on a mission to raise happy, healthy animals and the best tasting pork possible. This new business venture requires shelters, freedom feeders and fencing for his hogs which he is financing through the Micro Loan.He is also experimenting with custom milled feed, and so is purchasing a hammer mill and shopping for grain from other local farms.

“The Micro Loan Program is a great example of what true community can accomplish: coming together to strengthen the livelihoods of those who nurture the people around them with healthy food,” says Jen Harris, Program Coordinator for Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology who heads the Micro Loan review process along with members of Grain Train. “Our efforts to support the small farm community culture of Northern Michigan is accomplished by bringing capital to a level that is manageable.”

The next Micro Loan application process will kick off once again in January of 2019. Keep your eyes open and your farm projects brewing.

XH News & Hill House Alumni Update

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

January was conference month for us here at Crosshatch. We, along with the minds of a stellar committee and the wizards behind the curtain, Events North, put on a farmer’s shebang that is THE event of the winter: the Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference. 

That being said, while we are rebooting, vacationing and planning for the Crosshatch spring and summer event line-up, we’ve realized the Hill House alumni update is long past due. While our artist residency may be on hold for the time being, our alumni are cranking out some fine work.

HILL HOUSE ALUMNI:

Logan Farmer

"I had the opportunity to go to an isolated cabin in the woods and record an album,” Logan writes. “I didn't shave and I packed lots of flannel, all the stuff you would expect from a folk singer in 2017. But despite the isolation and lovely autumnal setting, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to make a city album.” Check out Logan’s album written almost entirely while in residence at the Hill House.

Robinson & Rohe

The anticipated album, Hunger, by Robinson and Rohe, has arrived. Written during their travels between the East Coast and the Upper Midwest. (Hey, that’s us!), Hunger is an album of songs about love and land . Fetch yourself an album and hear more about their updates here. In related news, Jean Rohe recently received full funding for a solo album through PledgeMusic. We cannot wait for this! We will let you know when we know more.

Kay Belardinelli

Kay Belardinelli released Fill Your Lungs with her band, Mar, in 2017. Mar is a two-piece blend of doom metal, noise, and punk with lyrics about trauma and recovery from a feminist perspective. She finished her autobiographical zine, Murmurs, Chants, and Screams, vol II covering dreams, healing, and the subconscious. Kay also developed a solo-music performance with video projection called Mariassunta, based on the life of Saint Maria Goretti. In this performance, she blends harsh guitar noise with simple, organ melodies and combines scenes from the 1949 film based on Goretti's life.

Passepartout Duo

Nicoletta Favari & Christopher Salvito of Passepartout Duo (you may remember the cool video they made at the Hill House) have been busy. They are collaborating on a new album with visual artists from Beijing, Yannis Zhang and Yumo Wu. Their work continues on the Skammdegi/Náttleysi project, a project inspired by light cycles present in the Nordic countries, collaborating recently with composers Marta Forsberg and Hafdís Bjarnadóttir. In addition, they were featured in an article from NYLON magazine about their recent appearance at the Myrkir Músíkdagar festival in Iceland (in English, that means “darkest days”). To see all of their accomplishments and hear their super interesting and diverse work, visit their page here.

Warm winter wishes to you all. Email us if you have alumni updates of your own for us to share! jeannie@crosshatch.org

 

Crosshatch is hiring a Development Coordinator!

Now Hiring /// Development Coordinator

Overview

Crosshatch is a small nonprofit in Northwest Lower Michigan dedicated to building strong communities through the intersections of art, farming, ecology and economy. We are seeking a Development Coordinator with strong skills in donor development and grant writing. 

The Development Coordinator will refine and implement a fund development strategy that includes mail campaigns, special events, sponsorships, and grants of many kinds. You will also provide technical and research support for major donor relationship development, and manage a portfolio of donors. You will enjoy close support from the staff and board of Crosshatch, and report directly to the co-directors.

Hours and Location

40 hours/week including some evening and weekend work. You will primarily telecommute (as do all Crosshatch staff) with a high level of autonomy and equally high levels of expectation. We are based in Northwest Lower Michigan—our service area runs the coasts from Manistee to Mackinac, with major areas of impact centered in Bellaire, Traverse City and Petoskey. You may live anywhere in this region, though a central location is advantageous. Travel (with your own car) throughout the region is a regular requirement of the position (mileage is reimbursed). Similarly, excellent telecommuting skills are required, including texting, email, phone, Glip, social media and other internet communication technologies.

Major Responsibilities

Donor Relationship Development

  • Implement and improve two key annual giving activities: a year-end letter and spring matching gift campaign. The Development Coordinator will craft timelines and strategies, and will implement the day-to-day logistics of the campaign.
  • Prospect, steward, and engage new donors.
  • Manage a portfolio of major donors.
  • Record and send tax receipt for all gifts.
  • Work with Crosshatch staff to integrate special events into a larger fund development strategy.
  • Plan and implement future capital campaigns.
  • Build an annual report and other specific program reports as needed.
  • Manage Salesforce, tracking all donations, sponsorships, and address changes for contacts; run reports for staff and board as needed.

Grant Writing and Management

  • Write 15-20 grants per year, including both one page requests to family foundations and complex federal grants. The Development Coordinator will also write letters of inquiry to granting organizations.
  • Manage and report on grants received.

Sponsorships and Corporate Support

  • Secure sponsorships for all Crosshatch events, prospect new leads, and maintain current relationships.

Other Responsibilities

  • Attend board meetings as needed, and provide reports and evaluations of development efforts.
  • Engage in ocasional professional development opportunities (i.e., conferences and workshops, locally or afar).

Minimum Qualifications

  • Demonstrated capacity in raising funds through both grant writing and individual gifts.
  • A working knowledge of the partners, donors and influencers in our region.
  • An understanding of the major themes in sustainable agriculture, environmental concern and the arts at a local, state and national level.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Skilled in building and following budgets.
  • Ability to rapidly adapt to change, innovate, go with the flow, simplify and discover practical solutions to hard problems.
  • Flawless attention to detail and impeccable personal organization skills.
  • Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Self-motivated and professional demeanor.
  • Expertise in Salesforce, Google Drive, MS Office and/or iWork, email, Mac OS

Compensation and benefits

Salary is dependent on applicant’s experience. Benefits also include flexible work schedules, ample paid time off and retirement plan. We are working toward offering partial health care coverage beginning in July 2018.

Equal Opportunity

Crosshatch is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Application Instructions

Interested folks should submit an application here.

This position will remain open until filled by the right person.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Amanda Kik, amanda@crosshatch.org.

MICRO LOAN IS BACK!

In 2017, Crosshatch and Grain Train Food Co-op awarded Pitchfork Farms with a Micro Loan to get their berry production started. Matt and Ellie Evans live in Petoskey with their 4 kids: Bo, Remy, Tucker, and Annie and their 1,500 chickens. Pitchfork Farms has been in operation, mostly offering raw milk herd shares, for the past 6 years. Three years ago, they began raising chickens for eggs and meat. And this year, thanks to a boost from the Micro Loan, they began work on their berry production - strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries that, as of Summer 2018, will be available for U-Pick at their farm in Petoskey.

Ellie was thankful for the Micro Loan to start a project that, at this point, no one else is doing in Petoskey. “The loan goes beyond helping the farming community, it helps the community at large too,” said Ellie. “There’s been a demand for u-pick berries, and right now people have to drive out of Petoskey to find it. To provide something that no one else is doing right now feels really good.”

This is the Micro Loan program at its finest. With zero interest rates, long pay-back times, and facilitators that care about the food & farming community, the Micro Loan is a welcome alternative to traditional methods of financing. Crosshatch, in partnership with Grain Train, is happy to be able to coordinate this program, to help small farms like Pitchfork build their business, and to show that their work is valued. “It was such a great feeling,” said Ellie, of being alerted that they had been awarded the loan, “to know that someone else believed in what we’re doing.”

The 2018 Micro Loan application is now open, and there are a few changes we're excited to announce:

  • Total funds available upped from $6,000 to $10,000 this year!
  • Repayment terms dependent on loan size
  • 0% interest rate
  • No application fee

The deadline to apply is February 12, with loans going out in early March. Apply now and spread the word. Learn more at: www.crosshatch.org/micro-loan/