Rose Hartschuh

Rose Hartschuh's Fundraiser

Let's give every student the chance to visit a real, working farm! image

Let's give every student the chance to visit a real, working farm!

Will you join me in making Acres of Adventure a reality?

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$350 towards $1,000

How many people drive by Ohio’s farms every day and wonder about the open fields, the barns and the livestock in the pastures without ever really getting the chance to visit? People are naturally curious about what they do not understand, and it has been increasingly obvious in recent years that many people do not understand how food is produced on farms.

At Acres of Adventure, a red barn sits back a long lane in the Crawford County countryside. From the outside, it looks like any other farm building that they would normally drive right by. But at this farm, they have a chance to follow that curiosity right up the driveway. Guests initially arrive with limited knowledge of food, farming, and the environment, but that quickly changes as they step inside to explore. They have arrived at Ohio’s only nonprofit, hands-on agricultural learning center.

While there are a handful of farms within a thirty-minute drive providing farm experiences such as pumpkin patches and corn mazes, their scopes are generally limited to the fall season. The goals and vision of Acres of Adventure better align to year-round operation and opportunity. In addition, most other operations operate in a for-profit structure with the purpose of supplementing their farm income. No other non-profit agricultural education facilities such as Acres of Adventure have been identified at this time as possible competition. This is a truly unique destination and learning opportunity to showcase agriculture in Ohio.

The Acres of Adventure Activity Center feels exciting. The bright colors and engaging displays instantly attract guests’ attention. Learning stations, sprinkled throughout the building, are full of engaging activities that pull guests into the content. The learning stations revolve around all aspects of agriculture, including the highly technical areas. They pique interest in the variety and importance of the agricultural industry. In addition, the Learning Center will help guests understand that agriculture is so much more than farming; guests will leave with an understanding of the vast number of career opportunities available in agriculture to those willing to learn.

The facility could also be used to facilitate programs that benefit the community and build a connection between Ohioans and agriculture including:

  • 4-H and FFA meetings
  • Career fairs
  • Day camps
  • Ag exploration programs
  • Beginning farmer workshops
  • FFA Career Development Events and youth competitions
  • Community events
  • Local church events

There are countless benefits to the immediate community of Crawford County, Ohio. Agriculture is the number one industry in Crawford County. Acres of Adventure will emphasize the importance of farming to our local economy while also highlighting the measures farmers are taking to proactively protect our environmental resources. In addition, this program will provide a real-world educational opportunity for a variety of audiences. Sometimes, the best learning occurs outside of the classroom.

In terms of the statewide agriculture community as a whole, the time is now to engage consumers in real conversations. Misconceptions abound about modern agriculture. Unless we provide opportunities for the general public to “see for themselves,” they will shape their opinions based on information they read online or the latest marketing scare tactics.

Along with a visit to a real working dairy farm, Acres of Adventures will feature a picnic shelter, a livestock connection center and a water quality demonstration area featuring STEM-based learning activities revolving around agriculture in Ohio. Future phases of the project will include kayaking, go-carts, a catch and release fishpond, and nature trails. In addition, Acres of Adventure plans include an archery range, a low ropes course and an outdoor amphitheater. The entire Acres of Adventure will begin the process of promoting factual information and a connection with the outdoors and agriculture by utilizing trained adventure guides that have a solid base of knowledge in modern agriculture. The Activity Center will provide the space and opportunity to build upon the unique experience of visiting a working farm and all of the other attractions at Acres of Adventure and take learning to the next level for visitors of all ages.

Acres of Adventure needs the help of businesses and like-minded individuals to create this outstanding opportunity to reach consumers with a message that favors modern agriculture and to create a lasting impact on our community. We are finding support for our work through partnerships with businesses, foundations, ag leaders, and farmers who believe in the importance of engaging in personal conversations to really change what people think and feel about modern agriculture. We are also finding support from those who believe that we need a project like this within Crawford County.

Financial projections demonstrate the ability for Acres of Adventure to meet operating expenses and other overhead costs off of annual admissions and programming beginning in 2022. Acres of Adventure plans to host fundraising events and campaigns to fund specific improvements in the future. To date, our organization has raised $125,000 toward our capital project. We are ready and excited to start programming NOW, but we we need a building to serve as the hub for our organization. One of the greatest challenges we have found as we undertake this project is the lack of funding available for capital projects, especially for a start-up nonprofit organization. We know that grant and funding opportunities are readily available for programming, but we need the facilities to get us to that point. We are within $10,000 of making our facility possible. Covid-19 set our fundraising back last year, but we're excited to finally make it to the home stretch, and with your help, we can make this project a reality.

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To help support their fellow local nonprofits in their for good missions, the Community Foundation for Crawford County is launching a 2-day online giving event, #CrawfordForGood, designed to get much-needed operating funds into their hands as soon as possible.

This year, the Foundation will be matching donations raised online on a pro-rated basis from a pool of $10,000 being offered by our Board of Trustees, the Hord Family Donor Advised Fund, and the Carter Family Donor Advised Fund. Donations must be given online during the 2-day event (July 27th - July 28th) to be eligible for the pro-rated match.

Generosity has the power to unite and heal communities in good times and bad. We are presented with a perfect opportunity to come together again as a community.

Please give to support my chosen nonprofit on July 27th through July 28th. No amount is too small, and all gifts are appreciated!

Be a part of the solution - show your support and rally to do good for good!

#CrawfordForGood

#DoGoodForGood