Buy a Dram, Save a Lansing Farm

There's nothing like coming together as a community to help a neighbor out to make you feel like you can really make a difference. Today is no exception.

There's a great story in this morning's LSJ and Detroit Free Press about a brother and sister in St. Johns that are literally struggling to save their family's mint farm from being foreclosed. It also happens to be the country's oldest mint farm.

ST. JOHNS - Jim Crosby's voice chokes with emotion when he talks about the oldest mint farm in the country, a 140-acre patch of fragrant green about 15 miles north of Lansing that's been in Crosby's family for four generations.

He and his sister Linette Crosby, who co-owns the property, are desperately trying to sell 70,000 bottles of farm-distilled peppermint and spearmint oil by Saturday.

If they don't raise $348,000 by then, their lender has the right to confiscate the oil and their farm equipment, effectively ending the family business.

"That oil is our hope," Jim Crosby said Wednesday. "In each bottle is all my hope, my dreams and my prayers."

We can do this, people! Please, stop by their website, and spare $5, $10, $35 or as much as you can give. I'm off to buy mine now! (due to high traffic, the website maybe a little slow, but patience, it's worth it!)

Miscellaneous Monday Mutterings

First off, a happy Monday, Monday to you and yours, courtesy of the Mama's and Papa's.


Did you know that this week is the Eat Local Localvore Challenge? Join local bloggers Green Tuna and Mensch71 as we all participate.

In case you missed it, the Michigan Policy Summit was a great time and an incredible experience! There's quite a bit about it over at MichLib.

Are you a state employee worried about your job with the looming government shutdown thanks to Mike Bishop and his band of not-so merry Republicans? Be sure to stop by MichLib sometime after 10 a.m. today for some laughs and learn about a brand new contest designed just for you!

If you thought Mondays were particularly bad, let's hope it's not any worse than what the guys over from Office Space had to put up with -


But if you're looking for a new TV addiction this fall, be sure to check out one of my favorite comedies - The Office. Here's a teaser of the new season that starts in three weeks!

Local Treats that make you say Yum!

As a local follow-up to yesterday's debut of the new MichLib feature - Make it Michigan, I thought I'd post some of the local farmers' markets, and encourage you to stop by.

From the fabulous MI Department of Agriculture -

Allen Street Farmers' Market Lansing, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-485-7630 Type: Seasonal Hours of Operation: Open May 25-Oct 26, 3:30-6:30pm; live music; accept EBT Bridge & Project FRESH

Lansing City Market Lansing, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-483-7460 Type: All year Hours of Operation: Open All Year Tu Th Fri Sat 8am-6pm

Meridian Township Farmers' Market Okemos, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-853-4608 Type: Seasonal Hours of Operation: Open July-Oct Wed 8am-5pm; May-Oct Sat 8am-2pm

Williamston Farmers' Market Williamston, MI -- Ingham County Phone: 517-655-2774 Type: Hours of Operation: Open Jun-Oct; Thurs 2pm-dusk

If you're outside of Ingham County but still want to find tasty Michigan treats for half the price and all the while promote Michigan's economy, stop by this page from MDA.