The Learning Connection of the Flint Hills received a $10,000 grant from the Loretto A. Langley charitable trust on Tuesday, allowing The Learning Connection to continue its Emporia Farmers Market operations next year.
“We’ve been operating on a shoestring for so long, and this year, we got down to dental floss,” Learning Connection acting director Tracey Graham said. “We were looking at closing our office in the Kress building and running the market out of my house. This grant means we won’t have to do that.”
TLC plans to use the money to enhance the Farmers Market experience by adding cooking and flower-arranging demonstrations, entertainment, children’s activities, recipes and nutritional information.
The grant will also allow TLC to reorganize and explore funding sources to continue its community classes and adult literacy program. TLC’s community classes have been suspended due to lack of funds.
The organization is forming a committee to develop new directions for both TLC and the Farmers Market. Anyone interested in joining the committee may call 343-6555 or e-mail to tlcfh@yahoo.com.
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
Another innovation for 2008 is a planned loading zone at the kiosk and/or small wagons to help customers get their purchases to their cars. We’re also thinking about expanding the season with some special markets for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Although there isn’t a lot of produce available from our farmers those times of the year, it could provide a great outlet for the market’s top-notch bakers!
TLC regrets having to suspend its community classes, but the funds necessary to pay someone to run them, and to publish the catalog, simply aren’t available at this time. The Adult Literacy Program is in very good hands with Valerie Zimmerman, and we hope it will not suffer much without our catalogs to promote it to potential tutors and others concerned about adult literacy. By keeping the office open, TLC will still be able to refer callers to the Adult Education Center as we have done for years.
TLC is looking for public input in determining the new directions the market should take. Anyone interested in joining the committee now forming to develop new directions for the EFM and/or TLC is encouraged to call 343-6555 or email tlcfh@yahoo.com. The goal is long-term sustainability, and this generous grant from the Langley Trust gives TLC the opportunity to explore the options available to achieve that.
December 6, 2007 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )