Let's Save Michigan

Hamtown Farms

About the Project

Project Goal:

Hamtown Farms’ primary focus is to regrow a community by establishing a working orchard, community gardens and public spaces. 

Impact on Community:  

One of the most critical steps in making a place is keeping it secure.  Hamtown Farms would like to construct a reclaimed pallet fence around the perimeter of the orchard and community garden to help create a windbreak, deter vandalism and control pedestrian traffic.

Despite using free pallets for the bulk of the fence, the costs for pressure treated 2x4’s, cement and auger rental are far beyond Hamtown Farms’ current budget.

A fence line has always been a part of the master plan but it has been placed on hold until a funding source could be identified. In addition, logic suggests that one should use available funds to create something worth fencing first. Our fundraising efforts have generated funding to meet our phase one planting goals. And now, we’re on to our next challenge.

As we have been preparing the site for our upcoming planting day, neighbors and other passersby have shared one common question about the project. “Will there be a fence?”

Clearly the community is interested in becoming involved with the project, however their interest in erecting a fence demonstrates a desire to protect the time and energy they would potentially invest.

If chosen for a Let’s Save Michigan grant Hamtown Farms could erect this unique fence that would create a greater sense of security, physically mark this new space and actually wind up including more members of the community than it aims to deter.