Providence Organic Farm in Central Lake, Michigan, is well-known for growing things. Owners and operators Ryan and Andrea Romeyn have been producing a wide variety of certified organic vegetables and strawberries on their popular CSA farm for 20 years. Today, they’re helping to cultivate a future built on renewable energy thanks to an array of solar panels that power their farm, processing facility, and farm market. The installation was made possible with a grant provided by Cherry Republic as part of the company’s annual 31 Days of Giving campaign.
Cherry Republic’s first gift to Providence Farm came in 2019, when Bob Sutherland shared the company’s vision “that every farm in the north is 100% powered by the same source that powers their crops — the sun. We believe this is a great way to support farmers living independently off Michigan’s land, water and sun,” Bob stressed. Fast forward to December of 2021, and an additional 31 Days of Giving gift to Providence Farm has allowed the Romeyns to reach their goal of energy independence.
We believe this is a great way to support farmers living independently off Michigan’s land, water and sun.
Bob Sutherland
“That $8,000 gift in the beginning helped us get started on our market,” Andrea recalls. “And the extra financial incentive that you offered farmers to ‘go solar’ pushed us to think about doing it! Seed money works wonders, doesn’t it?”
For a family that has made organic farming their life’s work, there seems to be no more fitting way to shine a light on the importance of protecting our delicate ecosystem for generations to come than with a commitment to renewable energy.
Seed money works wonders, doesn’t it?
Andrea Romeyn
