Title
Proclamation Honoring the Ann Arbor Branch of the Woman's National Farm & Garden Association
Memorandum
Whereas, the Ann Arbor Branch of the Woman's National Farm & Garden Association was founded by Mildred Matthaei in 1946. They held their first Greens Market and awarded their first scholarship to a student in the U-M School of Natural Resources in that same year; and
Whereas, the Ann Arbor Greens Market, the oldest philanthropic holiday bazaar in the greater Detroit metropolitan area, has raised more than $49,000 for grants and scholarships for local, state and national projects in horticulture, agriculture, and the environment, including Project Grow, the 4-H endowment, the U-M Biological Station, U-M School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, among others; and
Whereas, the Ann Arbor Branch of Woman's National Farm and Garden has supported the Agrarian Adventure at Tappan Middle School since its inception, with grants, to expand the garden, improve and integrate the curriculum, and build a fruit orchard. In addition the Ann Arbor branch's Horticultural Therapy program, the oldest volunteer group at Mott Childrens Hospital, provides flowers and flower arranging activities for patients and their families; and
Whereas, the Ann Arbor Branch of Woman's National Farm and Garden has provided funding to restore the walled garden at the Michigan League, to landscape areas at the Ann Arbor Art Center, the Historical Museum on Main Street, & the Project Non-Violence Safe House; and to assist in planning the Wellness Garden at Glacier Hills Retirement Community. The association has also supported Growing Hope with grants to build a 96' long hoop-house at their new Education Center, and has been a major influence on the urban farming movement in and around Ann Arbor; and
Whereas, the Ann Arbor Branch of Woman's National Farm & Garden's Ann Arbor Greens Market celebrates its 64th year on December 3, 2009. Along with its sister event, the Ann Arbor Garden Walk, they've raised more than $450,000 for programs benefiting the community .
Now Therefore, I John Hieftje, Mayor of the City of Ann Arbor, do hereby declare December 3rd , 2009,Woman's Farm and Garden Day in Ann Arbor. We recognize the organization's 60-plus years of philanthropic contribution, community involvement & dedication to raising awareness and promotiong edudcation in horticulture and the environment.
I hereby set my hand and seal
This 3rd day of December, 2009
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John Hieftje, Mayor