GROW BENZIE ANNOUNCES ANNUAL “THE FARM PARTY”
Farm to Table event returns to Benzonia County on July 6th
 
Grow Benzie will be hosting it’s fourth annual fundraising event, “The Farm Party”, July 6th, 2013.   Held at Grow Benzie’s farmstead, on M115 between Frankfort and Benzonia, it is fast becoming one of the most “looked forward to events” of the summer in Northern Michigan.  The event will showcase fantastic local foods prepared by celebrated local chefs, wonderful music, and dancing. Combined with festive live and silent auctions, The Farm Party makes for 450 happy attendees.
Grow Benzie has a unique history, having been formed just 4 years ago by a group of passionate locals, Grow Benzie helps the surrounding community in a multitude of areas.  None of what Grow Benzie is doing is unique - what sets it apart is a unifying approach, making a much greater, and holistic impact. Grow Benzie fosters self-reliance through education in agriculture, nutrition, job training and life skills.  The organization helps people solve their own problems:  From nutrition classes and hoop houses in elementary schools to gardening for the community food banks, from learning how to start a business to making a product to sell and ultimately leading to making a product that creates a job. This very special fundraiser supports these efforts.
Benzie County’s western most border is Lake Michigan, and it serves as the gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes, described by an ABC 2011 poll as “the most beautiful place in America”.  The gorgeous Grow Benzie compound sits just over the hill from Crystal Lake on a 4 acre farmstead, and includes 3 large greenhouses, community gardens, and a fully certified kitchen in a large assembly building, all sheltered by lovely shade trees - a simply beautiful setting for a summer party.
Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. celebrating all that the area has to offer.  Courtesy of local chefs and restaurant owners providing simple and delicious food - absolutely no one leaves hungry.  Some of this years participants are:  Arcadia Bluff Country Club, Chimney Corners, CoHo Café,  Cook’s House, Crystal Lake Catering, Up North Big Pan Kitchen and Mental Levitation Society, Small Thyme Catering,  Zolo Grill, plus others.  Wine is provided from local vintner Black Star Farms and beer will be from local breweries and award-winning mixologist Devlin Devore of Centro Latin Kitchen will be spinning delicious cocktails.   Dave Query, a summer resident and owner of  The Big Red F Restaurant Group (www.bigredf.com) in Boulder, Co., pulls together the chefs every year, making sure to highlight local foods and flavors.  This year the Joshua Davis Band, again Michigan based entertainers extraordinaire, will be providing the music to let the dancing begin.  Both silent and live auctions are on the agenda to peak everyone’s interest.  Last year two sports cars were auctioned and lucky bidders had amazing trips.  This year’s casting will be no less exciting.
 
Come and enjoy one of the most beautiful settings in the country and Save The Date for July 6. The Farm Party is an unforgettable event for a great cause.  Food, music, dancing and auctions - but most of all, great fun with friends and family.
 

CONTACT:   Deb Query
Executive Director
231.882.9801
growbenzie@gmail.com
growbenzie.org