Hi Everyone,

We are pleased to announce that our Annual Report for Fiscal 2022-2023 is now available for your perusal. We were hoping to have it out sooner but as usual other projects have gotten in the way. Our Volunteer Board(And other volunteers) have been working hard to improve the offerings in our craft section (as well as a floor reset) and we wanted to make sure that everyone had a chance to see the new offerings tomorrow! A big thank you needs to go out to the individuals who worked on our Annual Report as well as a big thank you to the volunteers that worked to expand the craft selection!

Also, just a reminder that our Annual Meeting is tomorrow afternoon. The potluck starts at 4pm and the meeting starts at 5pm. For voting we will have ballots at the meeting and then please keep an eye out in your email if you weren’t able to make it. Paper copies will also be available after tomorrow at the register if you’d prefer to do it in person.

We hope to see everyone tomorrow afternoon!

MRC Annual Report 2023

Hi Everyone,

As the days start to shorten it’s time for us to move to our Winter hours. Effective November 1st we will be open Monday through Saturday from 10am – 6pm and then Sunday 10am – 5pm. Hopefully everyone thought the summer hours were useful. Feedback is always welcome!

To our Members/Customers and Community Supporters;

So a lot has happened in the last several weeks here at the Co-op. We were hoping to get his information out to everyone sooner but it’s been so crazy it’s been a struggle to get to a computer to type up the announcement(plus we needed to wait for the final interconnect). We are very pleased to announce that the Solar Array on the Pole Barn in back of the Co-op is completed and generating electricity. After many months of planning, discussions, evaluations and many many emails the project has finally come to fruition. In the last two years we have seen our energy costs nearly double (despite using the same amount of electricity) and we are hoping that in the long term it helps reduce those energy costs as well as help with our sustainability goals along the way.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals/groups who worked through the process and provided help and guidance along with way. Thank you to our volunteer board who sat through many hours of meetings and discussions trying to work on the best solution for the Co-op. Thank you to our ever gracious landlord who allowed us to move forward with the project on their property. Thank you to SolarLogix for working with us throughout the project and for making a massive final push the week of Common Ground Fair. Thank you to CEI Inc for providing the primary financing to move forward with the project. Thank you to the USDA and the REAP program that will help offset a significant portion of the project cost. And last, but certainly not least, we want to give a big shout out to all our members and customers who donated to our solar fund to help ease the burden of unexpected and increased costs that occurred with the project along the way (isn’t that always the way..). Your continued support and donations will help go toward lowering the long term cost of the project as we are still in the process of paying off some of the increases and have taken on long term debt to finance the project.

Now we move into the phase of evaluating the potential impact of the system (this likely will take several months) and once we have a clearer picture we’re hoping that we will realize some cost savings that we can put back into the Co-op to continue to provide for our membership and community! And finally a big thank you to everyone that continues to make the MRC a reality!

P.S. – If you are curious to see what the array is producing there is now a link on the website under the solar donation button so you can take a look.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it’s time to get your hands dirty! Spring has sprung, and we have some exciting updates to share with all you plant lovers and gardeners out there.

FEDCO SEEDS

If you haven’t ordered your seeds yet, don’t worry, you can pick up Fedco Seeds at the co-op. That’s right, you can get your green thumbs on a variety of vegetable seeds and start growing your own garden. No matter how small or big, we have the seeds you need to get planting. Let’s face it; there’s nothing quite as satisfying as growing your own fresh and delicious produce. 

SPROUTS

If you’re looking for something even easier, we have Seed Sprout Kits available. These jar kits make it super easy to grow your own sprouts in three to seven days. Top your meals with these nutrient-rich greens, and you’ll be feeling like a healthy and happy plant yourself.

SEEDLINGS

But wait, there’s more! For those of you who want to skip the seed stage, Three B’s Organics will offer organic vegetable plants starting Mid-May. You’ll find heirloom tomatoes and peppers—not to mention fragrant herbs and flowers too. So, no excuses; it’s time to get outside and plant a garden this year!

P.S. Don’t worry if you have a black thumb. We’ll also have ample veggies from local producers Stubborn Ox Farm, Seek No Further Farmstead, and Calyx Farm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

As you know, the co-op is run by and for members, and we need your help to keep it running smoothly. We are grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of our members, and we urge you to share your unique skills to help the co-op grow.

We have some exciting opportunities for community members to volunteer and participate in the co-op’s operations:

• Clean the Front Porch & Parking Area: With spring in the air, it’s time to clean away the dirt and winter grime from our front porch and parking area. We’re seeking a few dedicated volunteers to help make the front porch sparkle. This will help us to expand the seating area out front and host more events on the porch. 

• Plant & Maintain Flower Boxes: Let’s give everyone who drives by on Route 7 something beautiful to look at! Do you have a green thumb? Would you be interested in planting flowers in the front planter boxes and barrels and maintaining them throughout the summer? (Funds provided by the co-op to purchase the plants.)

• Help with Spring Cleaning: With the change of season, it’s time for some spring cleaning. We are looking for volunteers to help us clean and organize the store so that it’s fresh and welcoming for our members and customers. 
• Support & Organize Events: We have an exciting event calendar planned for 2023, with more workshops, member potlucks, and a booth at the Common Ground Country Fair. If you’re interested in helping, let us know! Most events require 2-3 hours of your time. 

Volunteering at the co-op is a great way to get involved in and support access to local, healthy food in our community. Not to mention, it’s a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors, too!

Whether you have a green thumb and want to help with our planter boxes or you’re a master organizer and can assist with spring cleaning in the store, your contributions will help make our co-op a vibrant and thriving community hub. If you want to learn more about our volunteer opportunities, please contact us at volunteermarshriver@gmail.com or Kim at 722-3139. Thank you for considering volunteering at the Marsh River Cooperative. 

Now, let’s get excited about spring and the veggies and flowers to come! And don’t forget, we always love hearing from you. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We value your input and will do our best to address any concerns you may have.

Thank you for being a part of the Marsh River Cooperative. We appreciate your continued support and can’t wait to see you in the store soon.