| Patrick McCaffrey Foundation ValleyForgeCenter.org |
Dear Friend, There are few things more important than how we take care of those who have served our country. With your support we can establish Valley Forge Village - a project that has the potential to provide a unique place for military service members, veterans and their families to heal, to learn new skills and enhance their inherent resiliency. The enclosed DVD and documentation convey the urgent need to address the “invisible wounds of war” as defined by recent studies outlining the needs of returning veterans and recommendations for treatment. Valley Forge Village is a unique opportunity to provide the right solution to meeting these urgent needs. We envision a sustainable – intentional community – for military, veterans and their families where resiliency enhancement is possible through experiential learning opportunities and a focus on personal responsibility. Valley Forge Village will focus on optimal wellness for each resident. Wellness goes far beyond physical healing - it requires a holistic approach that includes the body, mind and spirit, and places happiness and fulfillment at its foundation. This approach will compliment traditional medical methods available to military personnel through the Veteran’s administration. The opportunity is now. With help from you and others, we can acquire and re-use an existing property located in Sauk Centre, MN. This extraordinary property is “more than shovel ready” and is capable of housing 200 residents. Sauk Centre is located in central Minnesota, 2 hours from Minneapolis/St.Paul. We cannot do this alone. Pease take five minutes to look at the enclosed material outlining this opportunity to build a place where we can begin to repay the sacrifice made by others to protect our country and way of life. See our DVD at www.valleyforgecenter.org If you would like to know more about the project or would like to be a part of this unique opportunity, please contact: Mike Weisser, CEO (760) 963-0352 weisser1@verizon.net or Jimmie Lee Coulthard Project Director, (612)735-7276 tigerbasellc@comcast.net VFV Web Address:wwwValleyForgeCenter.org Valley Forge Village is a project of the: |
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| Generally Good Advice Find Niche Markets Be Creative in farming, managing, and marketing practices Everything is about relationships! Actively cultivate support for the farm within the community Keys to Success Good Soil: Grow good soil, the crops will do the all the work Good Climate: Utilize all climatic conditions for advantage Right Varieties: Varieties make or break farms! Trial! Trial! Trial! Capital: Always helpful, but if limited be creative: Supportive Community: Communities support projects they identify with Choose partners with complementary skills: Do you know Cathy? Awesome Person!! Market: Creativity, niches, diversity, reputation, know other farmers products Practical Experience: Understand individual abilities and farm appropriately Motivation: Let your interests and passions drive pursuits Access to Information: Know available resources, use technology to advantage Patience: Farming is a lifetime endeavor, learn from mistakes Intuition: Do not ever let imagination ever be a limiting factor Innovation: Improvise, adapt and overcome; always a good creed Systematic 1st Year Approach Create Beds: Find uniform bed shape and stick to it Irrigation: Understand hydrology of land and observe pests, weeds, and diseases Cover Crops: Improve soil, limit pest, weed, and disease pressures Work to Skill Level:- Work accordingly to abilities, identify others with needed skills Diversify Production: Experiment with crops & animals, seek new markets-niches Appropriate Technology: Don’t purchase incorrect or unnecessary equipment Invest in Children: Children are future farmers-consumers & easier adapting to new ideas Skills and Knowledge for Success Business Management Labor: Accounts for ½ of costs-cultivate loyal knowledgeable workers Accounting: Save headaches hire a professional specializing in agriculture taxes Marketing Post Harvest Handling: Intimately know how to handle, store, and ship products Merchandising: Marketing is a skill and art-Maintain freshness, rotate, attractiveness Customer Relations: Loyalty pays, customers will pay for quality and relationships Soil Science Fertility: Grow good soil, grow good crops Tillage: Using the right tool at right time is paramount Plant Science Pest, Disease Weed Management: Spend 1st year focused on learning these locally Cultivators: Climatic Requirements: Know seasons & appropriate crops, varieties, and species Irrigation: Understand hydrology, climate, needs, appropriate technology Timing: Study growth cycles, nutritional-light requirements, and local climate |
