BY SUSAN BLOWER
Indiana Correspondent GREENFIELD, Ind. — When selling, most farms look to get the best price. And when hiring, most ag businesses look for the most qualified with the best resume. Not so for Brandywine Creek Farms in Greenfield, Ind., whose mission is to feed the food insecure and make new farmers out those who need a second chance. Brandywine grew 560,000 pounds of produce on 55 acres to donate to local food pantries or to sell at below-market price in 2017, the non-profit’s second year. Jonathan and Amanda Lawler, founders, are lifelong farmers. They retain a smaller section of their farm to grow produce for profit. “We work 70 hours a week. When we decided to do this, we never expected to grow so fast. For a non-profit we’ve grown quickly. What we are doing is really resonating with a lot of people,” Amanda Lawler told Farm World. The Lawlers also own the largest urban farm in the state, Finish Line Farms on the east side of Indianapolis, which trains at-risk young people how to work in food production. Brandywine partners with the Flanner House, a food pantry, to run a second urban farm in the city. In addition to youth, the urban farms hire military veterans and those who need a second chance at a job. The Lawlers hope to open another urban farm in Anderson, Ind. next year if they can find available land to rent or purchase. “Veterans who have seen combat have lived through stressful situations. Getting them involved in farming is a way to reintegrate them into society,” said Gabe Nix, an Army veteran and military liaison for Brandywine. Kubota donates tractor The Lawlers have found support from the community. Many financial partners and volunteers – from hospitals and organizations to local individuals – have come alongside them. Most recently, Kubota Tractor Corp.’s northern division, based in Groveport, Ohio, donated a small tractor, Kubota L3301, to the farm in a ceremony earlier this month. Valued at $20,000, the tractor will save $900 a month that the farm was spending on a leased tractor, Jonathan Lawler said. The tractor also has a tiller, donated by Land Pride, a subsidiary of Kubota based in Salina, Kan. “Kubota recognizes what we’re doing. It’s the best partnership we could’ve had,” Lawler said. “Kubota is the best for produce production. The extra tiller will save us time, and the faster we can get the fields done, the faster we can get it to people.” The donation is part of Kubota’s annual philanthropic program in a 13-state area to assist people “who move the earth and give back to their community,” said Drue Gray, merchandising manager at Kubota. Lawler will be able to use the tractor on his farm and take it to the urban farm to turn compost, feed animals and handle dry fertilizer, among other things. They also are raising 16 Guernsey-Angus cattle to eventually donate to families. Healthy food for all Lawler donates food or keeps his produce price down so those who need to eat healthier – can. “Food should not have an elite feel. Food should be for everyone,” Lawler said. “Most of our clients are employed, some with two jobs, and they make enough that they don’t qualify for benefits. They can’t afford to eat healthy. Sometimes they have a bigger family.” Brandywine Farms grows tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, watermelon or cantaloupe, as well as sweet corn and green beans with the help of another farmer. The family’s first interest in starting a non-profit farm was triggered when their son came home talking about a classmate who visited the food pantry. “I started talking to the food pantries, and fresh, local food was not available there,” Lawler said. “We partner with Finish Line (a sports goods retailer) to fill a need in the largest food desert in the state. A food desert is defined as having no close access to a grocery or unaffordable prices for food,” Lawler said. Lawler said that 50 percent of people who land in the ER could’ve been helped with greater access to healthy food. Two of his major financial supporters are Community Health Network and Hancock Regional Hospital, along with AARP, CICE in Indianapolis and the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Fund. Lawler said he would like to take his model to the national level with the help of other farmers. “If we find the right person, we will give him all the support we can. Our non-profit is set up so that it can be taken across state lines.” Even if a farmer wants to donate five acres, the Lawlers would give whatever support is needed, he said. The farm has up to 15 seasonal employees and two full-time, including a new farm manager, Aaron Riley. For more information see www.brandywinecreekfarms.com |
