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What a Year!
As 2025 wraps up, we’re looking back with full hearts (and maybe a little dirt under our fingernails). It’s been a year of growth in every sense of the word.
This year at New Growth Project, we:
✅ Welcomed over 80 CSA members
✅ Hosted 17 mobile farmers markets
✅ Filled orders across West Michigan through Locavana
✅ Provided job skill development for 18 individuals in our peer mentor program
✅ Watched confidence, skills, and friendships blossom across our farm rows
✅ Began to grow in our hoophouse
✅ Opened a new farm store building
✅ Installed a walk-in cooler
And the best part? We did it together — with your support.
New This Week:
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Just $10,000 to Go!
We launched our Fund the Farm campaign this fall with a bold goal: raise $60,000 to keep our mission growing in 2026.
Today, we’re thrilled to share:
We’ve raised $50,000!
That’s 83% of our goal!
Will you help us close the gap before December 31?
Your gift helps us hire more peer mentors, create more job opportunities for adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities, and keep our farm thriving through every season.
Donate now and take advantage of 2025 tax benefits while you're at it — New Growth Project is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means your donation is tax-deductible.
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🥕 Eat Your Veggies: Holiday Edition
Let’s be honest: the holidays are filled with cookies, pies, cheese boards, and casseroles that involve suspicious amounts of marshmallows.
Our friendly tip?
Eat your vegetables first. That way, you make room for goodness — on your plate and in your body. Roast up some winter squash, toss some kale in a salad, or sneak leeks into your mashed potatoes. Your January self will thank you.
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A Bowling Party That Was So Much More
Last week, we hosted our first-ever bowling party for employees and volunteers—and it was an unforgettable celebration! Between the strikes, gutter balls, laughter, and spontaneous dance moves, one thing stood out above all: the genuine friendships that have formed across our team.
What began as a simple vision to create opportunities for those often overlooked has grown into a vibrant community filled with joy, connection, and purpose. We’re beyond grateful to witness—and be part of—something this meaningful.
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And Finally... A Holiday Chuckle
What’s a vegetable’s favorite type of joke?
A corny one.
(We’ll show ourselves out.)
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🙏 Thank You
From the first seed we planted this spring to the final gift box wrapped this winter, you have been the reason we keep growing.
Your belief in our mission, your purchases, your volunteer hours, and your donations all make it possible for individuals like Bradley, Zimmer, and Hannah to find dignity, purpose, and joy in a place that celebrates their abilities.
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A big thank you to our Fund the Farm team leaders who jumped in and shared our mission with their friends and family to help us raise funds, expand opportunities, and fortify our team.
- Tia & Dan Hooper
- Nicky Conn
- Team Zimmer- Chuck Elliot
- Team Hannah - Kathy Miller
- Team Zack- Brian Verburg
- Team Kyle - Linda Cole
- Tim Clifford & Todd Hennink
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Thank you for being part of this movement. We can’t wait to grow with you in 2026.
With deepest gratitude,
Christine, Carly, and the New Growth Project Team
www.thenewgrowthproject.org
📍 Rockford, MI | 📞 616-824-6068
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🌾To learn more about our mission and our farm, follow us on socials! New Growth Project is on Facebook and Instagram :) |
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