Hope Activity Center Receives Grant for Community Garden

Mindy Erffmeyer of the Hope Activity Center and Matt Brickel of Northstar Bank celebrate the first Agricultural Experiences Grant.

The Agricultural Experiences Fund was created in 2021 to support programs and projects that provide agriculturally related experiences for Huron County residents. Agriculture is part of Huron County’s way of life and we are honored to have grant resources dedicated to providing high quality experiences and education to the next generation.

HCCF received many applications for the inaugural grant. The Port Hope Activity Center’s project was ultimately chosen due to its educational and community service components. The $500 grant will be used to bolster the Community Garden at the Activity Center. Throughout the summer, the Activity Center hosts Summer Enrichment programs for students. During that program, the students will plant and care for the garden, harvest crops, read books about where their food comes from, and cook recipes using fresh ingredients from the garden.

The Huron County Agriculture Experiences Fund was created this year to provide grant support for agricultural education and experience programs. Nearly $20,000 was transferred from the Northstar Fund to act as seed money for this new effort. Matt Brickel, Senior VP - Lending for Northstar Bank presented the check to Mindy Erffmeyer at the Activity Center.

“We’re grateful for the continued support and partnership from Northstar Bank. This new fund allows us to reinvest even more dollars into our community in meaningful ways.” added HCCF Executive Director Mackenzie Price Sundblad. “With Northstar’s roots in agriculture, this partnership was perfect”.

While the fund was started with dollars from the Northstar Bank Fund, others can support these efforts with a gift to the Ag Experiences Endowment as well. “As soon as this fund was created, the family of Mag Leppek chose to continue her legacy by directing memorial contributions to the Ag Experiences Fund.” said Price Sundblad.

Congratulations to the Hope Activity Center!