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  • January 07, 2020 6:09 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)


    This month, TLC Monadnock will award one campaign team a free video, produced by 710 Main Films, to support their crowdfunding project. 

    Why do videos matter?

    Studies show that crowdfunding campaigns with videos raise four times more funds than campaigns without videos.

    710 Main Films partnered with TLC Monadnock to produce crowdfunding videos for a number of successful campaigns over the past years.  Check them out here and learn more about our latest Request for Proposals!

  • December 23, 2019 10:25 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    Originally published in the Monadnock Shopper News

    We’re wrapping up another inspiring year of supporting locally owned businesses and community groups through The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock.  TLC Monadnock, a community-based crowdfunding program, helped four crowdfunding campaign teams raise $32,960 from 285 supporters in 2019, bringing our totals to eighteen teams raising over $126,000 since launching in 2017.

    Always looking to reflect on our progress while planning for the future, we reached out to past crowdfunding campaign leaders to check in and catch up.


    Cheshire Garden Solar-Powered Popsicles

    Cheshire Garden, a small family farm in Winchester, grows heirloom fruits and herbs that they turn into amazing jams, mustards and other products.  One of my favorites, Frosty Fruit Pops!  Farmer Patti Powers brings her popsicles to events like the Farmers’ Market of Keene and Winchester Pickle Festival. 

    Before her crowdfunding campaign, Patti used a portable freezer that ran off her car battery to keep her pops cool.  Or she had to hunt down an open electrical socket, something in short supply at many outdoor festivals.  She wanted a more reliable and environmentally sustainable way to keep things chill. Enter TLC Monadnock!  Patti raised over $2,000 from 41 supporters to buy a portable generator and the solar panels to charge it.

    Patti found that the solar-powered generator could be used in other useful ways on her farm.  “We don’t actually have a lawn, but we do mow between all the garden beds and bought a battery-powered lawnmower this summer,” Patti shared.  “Now we can charge that battery with the solar generator and do all that mowing with no gasoline.  And even in winter, the solar-powered generator helps us heat Tiny Pie House, our little farm store, by powering a small electric heater.”


    Village Roots Barn Raising

    Marty Castriotta of Village Roots Permaculture Farm raised over $11,000 from 104 supporters to raise a barn in June 2018.  This month, he will finish preparing the barn’s siding with high school students from the LEAF Charter School in Alstead.  They use a method of waterproofing the local pine siding by burning and oiling it, a practice inspired by Shou Sugi Ban from Japan.  Keene State College interns will help install the siding.  This spring, they will add a shed roof over the cow loafing area and construct a walk-in cooler. 

    “In permaculture design, the ethics of the design are considered, including that of Careful Process,” shared Marty.  “We started our barn in 2013 and each step has been weighed and considered in relation to the overall benefit for the community, the environment, animal welfare and the local food network we serve.” 


    NH Bee Initiative

    In 2018, The New Hampshire Bee Initiative was launched by Melissa Stephenson and Kin Schilling to raise awareness about the plight of all pollinators. Their first action was joining The Good of the Hive, a global initiative inspired by artist Matthew Willey’s commitment to hand paint 50,000 individual honey bees on murals and installations around the world. The Town of Peterborough offered up the Community Center’s wall for Matt to use.

    Since establishing and celebrating the mural (see highlights!), Melissa and Kin continue their outreach. They made Mason bee houses with the kids at Camp Best two years in a row, gave a talk at Fitchburg State and took observation hives to farmers’ markets and schools.


    Archway Farm

    Archway Farm in Keene, one of the first campaigns to launch on TLC Monadnock, used crowdfunding to purchase a food truck.  Farmer Mark Florenz travels to various community events with this truck, introducing his pasture-raised pork to new people throughout our region.

    “We did three smaller events this year partnering with the Monadnock Food Co-op, Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition, and Picadilly Farm,” shared Mark.  “We really enjoy the smaller events as they give us a good chance to get out and talk with a lot of our customers.  We also were at the Dublin Gas Engine Meet for our one larger event. I anticipate a similar mix of events for 2020.”

    2019 Campaigns

    Fresh off the rush of running their crowdfunding campaigns this fall, the progress for these projects is still unfolding! But here are some quick updates -- more to come in 2020.


    Orchard Hill Breadworks

    Noah Elbers and Cara Campbell raised over $14,500 from 120 supporters to purchase a New American Stone Mill for Orchard Hill Breadworks in East Alstead.  They expect their mill to arrive sometime this month.

    “It will likely take us a few months of experimenting to figure out what changes we need to make to our process and formulas in order to accommodate milling and incorporate the new flours, as well as settle on consistent and good sources of grain,” said Cara.  “So, it will likely be April or so before we are able to have it in our breads on a regular basis.”


    Mudita Massage & Wellness

    Kat Wood and Aaron Shields raised over $2,500 to support individuals in recovery by providing scholarships to attend regular yoga classes at Mudita Massage & Wellness based in Keene.  If you know someone who might be interested in one of these scholarships, find details at mudita.live/yoga-for-recovery-scholarships.

    “The whole experience from planning, to rolling out, to finishing successfully in meeting our goal was valuable for us and allowed for people in our community to contribute in a positive way that they believe in,” shared Kat. “Crowdfunding is the perfect example of the ‘do what you can, where you are, with what you have’ mentality to create change.”


    Fast Charge Monadnock

    Mary Ewell and John Kondos from Monadnock Sustainability Network raised over $10,800 to help bring an electric vehicle fast charger to the Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene.  These funds will meet the Volkswagon Restitution grant match requirement when they apply in late January.
     
    “By adding fast charging, we establish Keene as an oasis in the NH EV charging desert,” said John.  “A fast charger can provide 80-100% charging for electric vehicles, while parked at the co-op, in under 30 minutes… These fast chargers will change the EV landscape in the Monadnock Region, and let visitors and residents alike know in Keene the future has arrived.”

    Beyond 2019

    In the new year, watch for crowdfunding campaigns from The Cornucopia Project, Food Connects, Keene Housing Kids Collaborative and maybe one from your favorite business?   Our next Request for Proposals is open and we invite emerging and established businesses based in the Monadnock Region, state of New Hampshire or Vermont to submit project proposals. Learn more!  All proposals are due before 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 2020.

    Thanks to all our campaign teams and the community that supports them -- together, we’re The Local Crowd!

  • December 03, 2019 5:14 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    Community-Based Crowdfunding Program Seeks Proposals From Social Enterprises

    Top Proposal Will Receive Free Crowdfunding Campaign Video

    The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock, a community-based crowdfunding program serving the entire Monadnock Region and state of New Hampshire, invites emerging and established social enterprises to submit project proposals.

    For this proposal cycle, TLC Monadnock seeks projects focusing on affordable housing, farms & food or living wage jobs & equity.  While all for-profits, non-profits and community initiatives are welcome to apply, projects addressing these community needs will receive extra campaign support and resources -- beyond what is currently provided to all TLC Monadnock campaigns.

    All crowdfunding campaign teams receive hands-on technical assistance to help them launch a successful crowdfunding campaign. Campaign teams also receive a free crowdfunding assessment to ensure that they receive the coaching and training that best fits each team's needs.

    In addition, TLC Monadnock will award one proposal a free video, produced by 710 Main Films, to support their crowdfunding campaign.  Studies show that crowdfunding campaigns with videos raise four times more funds than campaigns without videos.

    TLC Monadnock will select up to six social enterprises to participate in this crowdfunding cohort, based on the potential of each project to positively impact their local economy and community.  Accepted proposals will launch their campaigns in winter or early spring.

    This request for proposals is available online at tlcmonadnock.com/rfp.  All proposals are due before 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 2020.
     
    Crowdfunding is the process in which an entrepreneur, business, or organization asks a large number of people (usually through the Internet) to contribute a certain amount of money for a specific project. By leveraging the power of crowdfunding, TLC Monadnock's fundraising platform offers an innovative way for community members to support the projects they care about.
     
    For more information, visit tlcmonadnock.com or contact Jen Risley at 603-283-5401.

    TLC Monadnock is one of five communities participating in a research project with the National Science Foundation and The Local Crowd designed to uncover the best ways to support social enterprises -- mission-driven organizations that use business principles to make the world a better place.

    Locally, this program is hosted by Monadnock Food Co-op and managed by a team of volunteer community economic development leaders and business advisors.  Program partners include New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.

    The Local Crowd Monadnock is a community-based crowdfunding program helping start-up ventures, early-growth stage companies and community-focused projects find access to capital.  Since TLC Monadnock launched in March 2017, eighteen crowdfunding campaigns have collectively raised over $120,000 from 900 supporters.

  • November 24, 2019 6:45 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    This year’s Plaid Friday, Cider Monday and Shop Indie Local events are truly community-funded, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign on The Local Crowd Monadnock!  Forty-five supporters contributed $5,039 to help us spread the word and inspire more people to join our movement. Together, we're generating ripple effects that create new jobs, charitable contributions and community prosperity.

    Plaid Friday

    Wear plaid on Plaid Friday to show your support for our local economy and commitment to buying local this holiday season.  The day to wear plaid this year is Friday, November 29th.

    Plaid Friday Hubs

    Twenty-one locally owned businesses will serve as Plaid Friday Hubs this year.  They pledge to photograph you decked out in plaid and answer questions about Plaid Friday.   From Harrisville to Winchester, find a hub near you.

    Manning Hill Farm in Winchester will offer a special photo-op: a photo of you in plaid with one of their cows also decked out in Plaid.  Stop by the farm from Noon to 4 p.m.  Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate made with their own chocolate milk and get 15% off purchases at their farm shop.  View more Plaid Friday specials.

    Plaid Friday Photo Booths

    Wearing plaid in Keene on Plaid Friday? The Luxury Box Photo Booth will take photos at Ted's Shoe & Sport in Keene from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Elm City Brewing Company in Keene from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Plan on wearing plaid in Peterborough? Be sure to get your photo taken with local photographer Kim Peck in front of The Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

    We will add these photos to our annual collage, celebrating all who wore plaid and showed their support for locally owned businesses and our local economy. Stay tuned for these photos on Facebook.


    Cider Monday

    Instead of Cyber Monday, a day when online merchants offer special deals, we invite you to Cider Monday.  On December 2nd, stop in for a free cup of cider from participating Cider Monday businesses including The Toadstool Bookshops in Keene and Peterborough, Monadnock Food Co-op, Mon Amie Fine Jewelry, Savings Bank of Walpole and The Yoga Space.  Learn more!


    Ready to Shop Indie Local?

    From your Thanksgiving meal to your New Year's Eve celebration, Shop Indie Local!  On November 1, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) launched its Shop Indie Local holiday campaign, encouraging all of us to shift more of our holiday shopping, entertaining and dining to locally owned and independent businesses. 

    This national movement empowers us all to support local job creation and economic growth through our holiday purchases at locally owned and independent businesses.  Over 70 business organizations and networks throughout the United States support this campaign that continues through December.


    Shop Indie Local Weekend

    Savings Bank of Walpole will host a long weekend of Shop Indie Local celebrations from Friday, November 29 to Tuesday, December 3.  The bank will set up information tables at each of their branches with Plaid Friday swag to inspire more people to participate in this year's event.
    Community members are encouraged to wear plaid and stop by the bank's Marlboro Street branch to take a selfie in front of the bank's Plaid Friday backdrop.  Savings Bank of Walpole will then share these photos on social media to further promote this event.

    • Friday, November 29th: Plaid Friday - Stop by for an opportunity to win a $25 Gift Card to Village Blooms in Walpole.
    • Saturday, November 30th: Shop LOCAL Saturday - An opportunity to win a $25 Gift Card to Ted Shoes & Sports in Keene.
    • Monday, December 2nd: Cider Monday - Enjoy apple cider and cider donuts.  Also, get an opportunity to win a $25 Gift Card to Ideal Board in Walpole.
    • Tuesday, December 3rd: Giving Tuesday - An opportunity to win a $100 Gift Card to Hannah Grimes Marketplace in Keene.

    Shop Indie Local Sponsors

    A big THANK YOU to this year's Plaid Friday, Cider Monday and Shop Indie Local sponsors: Beeze Tees Screen Printing, CC&D's Kitchen, Cheshire Horse, Creative Encounters, Cultural Cocoon, The Dragonfly Shop, Elm City Brewing Company, The Farm Café, Food Connects, Frogg Brewing, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Joseph's Coat, Korvin Appliance, LuvINK&Paper, The Luxury Box Photo Booth, Mayfair Farm, Monadnock Food Co-op, One Stop Country Pet Supply, Peterborough Art Academy, Prime Roast Coffee, Savings Bank of Walpole, Ted's Shoe & Sport, Toadstool Bookshops in Keene and Peterborough, Tribals, Rugs by Hand and The Works Café.  

    Thanks to all who contribute to the success of Plaid Friday, Cider Monday and Shop Indie Local.  See you this weekend!

  • November 11, 2019 5:44 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    Farmers’ Market of Keene: Monadnock Waldorf School, 98 S. Lincoln St. Every Saturday, November through December;  10 a.m. – 1 p.m. SNAP/EBT accepted. keenefarmersmarket@gmail.com, http://www.keenefarmersmarket.com/.

    Peterborough Farmers’ Market: Peterborough Community Center, 25 Elm St., Weds. Oct.-Dec 20, 3– 6 p.m. Vegetables, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, baked goods, meat, crafts. 396-9136, peterboroughfarmersmarketnh@gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/PeterboroughNHFarmersMarket.

    Winchester Farmers’ Market on Main: Town Hall, 1 Richmond Rd., Sat., Nov. – May, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Vegetables, maple, baked goods, meat, jams/jellies, eggs, Vegan foods, fudge, hand made soap, crafts. Live music, holiday card and cookie decorating, visits with Santa and more. SNAP/EBT accepted. 239-6361, winchesterfarmersmarket@gmail.com, www.winchesterfarmersmarketnh.com.

    View New Hampshire Winter Farmers’ Markets (2019/2020 Season)

    From the NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food

    **Please contact market to verify products available**


  • November 11, 2019 5:22 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    Here is a new must-do event for your holiday list!  Monadnock Music has orchestrated a Holiday House Tour like no other.  Visit beautifully decorated homes on Pine Street in Peterborough and enjoy Live Classical Music & Carolers, along with festive refreshments on Friday, December 6th From 5:30pm To 7:30pm.  This event is a perfect way to kick off the Holiday Spirit and bring the whole family to partake the New England traditions. 

    Each home will be welcoming guests to view their traditional family holiday decorations, listen to live holiday classics played by the talented musicians of Monadnock Music and nibble on the festive hot drinks and cookies provided by each Host.  Visitors can stroll to each house at their own pace, at their desired sequence, no need to follow a group!

    Cost for the House Tour, Musical Entertainment and Refreshments is $15 per person or $40 for a family (children 10 and under $5), Free to all Vets.  Take a peak at the locations of the homes and the lovely refreshments listed below.  There is plenty of street parking.  Please contact Laina Barakat, Executive Director of Monadnock Music if you require assistance for physical challenges at info@monadnockmusic.org.  Make your new Holiday tradition and purchase your tickets online.

    Greenwood Home — 34 Pine Street - Hot Mulled Wine, Punch & Shortbread
    Koch Home — 29 Pine Street - Hot Cider & Oatmeal Cookies
    Drogy Home — 27 Pine Street - Hot Coco & Chocolate Orange Cookies
    Ruland Home — 38 Pine Street - Hot Cranberry Cider & Snickerdoodles

    Monadnock Music is a Nonprofit Organization · Peterborough, New Hampshire.  We are one of New England's most diverse and exciting summer classical music festivals, encompassing all sub-genres, styles, and periods. We provide quality, adventure, intimacy, and a welcoming atmosphere in beautiful settings.

  • November 10, 2019 8:57 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    You're invited!  Independent businesses and community members in the Monadnock Region will celebrate Plaid Friday on the day after Thanksgiving. This year's event falls on Friday, November 29, 2019. 

    Individuals will wear plaid on Plaid Friday to show support for the local economy and their commitment to spending more of their dollars at locally owned businesses during the holiday season. Last year, nearly 400 community members pledged to participate in Plaid Friday.

    RSVP today!

     
    To amplify this year's event, Savings Bank of Walpole will host a Plaid Friday Week from Friday, November 29 to Tuesday, December 3.  The bank will set up information tables at each of their branches with Plaid Friday swag to inspire more people to participate in this year's event.  Community members are encouraged to wear plaid throughout this week and stop by the bank's Marlboro Street branch to take a selfie in front of the bank's Plaid Friday backdrop.  Savings Bank of Walpole will then share these photos on social media to further promote this event.

    "With Savings Bank of Walpole (SBW) being the community's local bank, we want to show our support for our local businesses," said Danielle Ruffo, Savings Bank of Walpole's new Community Engagement Coordinator.  "SBW serves many customers in our community -- and keeping your money local is what we are all about.  Supporting Plaid Friday and the 'Shop Indie Local' movement is all part of helping our local community thrive and grow."

    Plaid Friday celebrates the diversity and creativity of local and independent businesses. It's a fun and festive alternative to the "Black Friday" consumer frenzy perpetuated by big box stores.  This event originated in Oakland, CA with the intent to bring back the times when shopping for friends and family was a pleasurable and leisurely activity.
     
    A growing list of locally owned businesses will serve as Plaid Friday Hubs, photographing customers decked out in plaid and answering questions about this event.  View a list of Plaid Friday Hubs.

    Local photographer Kim Peck will host a Plaid Friday Photo Booth outside of The Toadstool Bookshop at 12 Depot Square in Peterborough (times TBD). In Keene, Ted's Shoe & Sport at 115 Main Street will host a Plaid Friday Photo Booth inside his store with Luxury Box Photo Booth, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The photo booth will then move to Elm City Brewery at 222 West Street (times TBD). Photos will be added to a Plaid Friday collage, celebrating all who wore plaid: bit.ly/MBLplaidfriday
     
    A number of participating businesses will offer specials to honor the day and thank community members for their support. View these specials

    Plaid Friday is part of the "Shop Indie Local" movement growing throughout North America.  From November 1 to December 31, Shop Indie Local encourages residents to choose local and independent businesses for more of their holiday purchases.

    The Monadnock Region's Plaid Friday event is sponsored by Beeze Tees Screen Printing, CC&D's Kitchen, Cheshire Horse, Creative Encounters, Cultural Cocoon, The Dragonfly Shop,  Elm City Brewery, The Farm Cafe, Food Connects, Frogg Brewing, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Joseph's Coat, Korvin Appliance, LuvINK&Paper, The Luxury Box Photo Booth, Marcia Kayser, Mayfair Farm, Monadnock Food Co-op, One Stop Country Pet Supply, Peterborough Art Academy, Prime Roast Coffee, Savings Bank of Walpole, Ted's Shoe & Sport, Toadstool Bookshops in Keene and Peterborough, Tribals - Rugs by Hand and  The Works Cafe.

    About Shop Indie Local

    Shop Indie Local provides a gateway to resources from many community campaigns and includes easy-to-use graphics and activities that allow participating partners to spread the critical message easily where they live. Visit the site for information on the campaign, partnering organizations, special events, and stories from Granite State communities making the shift in 2019.  Plaid Friday and Shift Your Shopping for the Holidays campaigns, in collaboration with national local economy leaders at The American Independent Business Alliance.

  • October 30, 2019 6:03 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    Originally posted in the Monadnock Shopper News

    From your Thanksgiving meal to your New Year’s Eve celebration, are you ready to Shop Indie Local?  On November 1, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) will launch its Shop Indie Local holiday campaign, encouraging all of us to shift more of our holiday shopping, entertaining and dining to locally owned and independent businesses.  This national movement empowers us all to support local job creation and economic growth through our holiday purchases at locally owned and independent businesses.  Over 50 business organizations and networks throughout the United States will kick off this collaborative campaign next week. The campaign continues through December.

    When you spend your dollars at locally owned retail businesses in the Monadnock Region four times more money returns to our local economy compared to chain retailers.  Spend a dollar at an independent business and 62 cents returns to our local economy, spend it at a chain store and only 13 cents returns.

    The money that returns recirculates through our economy, generating ripple effects that create new jobs, charitable contributions and community prosperity.  If everyone shifted just 10% of their purchases from national chains to locally owned retailers, we would return $27 million to our regional economy annually.

    Here are five tips to boost your Shop Indie Local efforts:

    • Make your own gifts (whether art, food or other creation) and buy your raw materials at locally owned businesses.
    • To amplify your impact, buy New Hampshire made and grown gifts at locally owned businesses.
    • Participate in the events we have planned during the Shop Indie Local season: Plaid Friday and Cider Monday — friendly, community-centered alternatives to the consumer frenzy that descends upon the nation each November.

    Plaid Friday

    Wear plaid on Plaid Friday to show your support for our local economy and commitment to buying local this holiday season.  The day to wear plaid this year is Friday, November 29th.

    Some independent businesses will serve as Plaid Friday Hubs.  Hubs photograph customers decked out in plaid and answer questions about Plaid Friday and Monadnock Buy Local.  In addition to hubs, some members will offer special events to thank you for stopping in.  LuvInk&Paper in Keene will offer a Plaid Friday Holiday Card Buffet at their studio (103 Roxbury Street – Suite 306).  Stay tuned for more!

    Wearing plaid in Keene on Plaid Friday? Hop on into the Luxury Box Photo Booth at Ted’s Shoe & Sport at 115 Main Street in Keene on November 29th.  Kim Peck will also set up a booth in Peterborough – stay tuned for the location.  We will add all the photos taken to our annual collage, celebrating everyone who wore plaid to honor the day.  Check out our gallery of over 400 photos from past Plaid Fridays at bit.ly/MBLplaidfriday.

    Also, to amplify this year’s event, Savings Bank of Walpole will host a Plaid Friday Launch Party.  We’ll post more details in early November.

    Cider Monday

    That’s not a typo!  Instead of Cyber Monday, a day when online merchants offer special deals, the Toadstool Bookshops invite you to a new tradition, CIDER Monday. On December 2nd, stop in for a free cup of cider and browse their amazing selection of books. In response to Cyber Monday, a day when online merchants offer deep discounts to divert your attention away from buying locally, Willard Williams of the Toadstool Bookshops dreamed up this new tradition.

    “Customers are promised cider and smiling servers that will not crash,” said Willard.  “As always, we’ll offer personal service, advice and the opportunity to touch and try items — with no logins or passwords necessary!  Join us in taking a bite out of Cyber Monday.”

    Discover more.

    Shop Indie Local Sponsors

    A big THANK YOU to this year’s Plaid Friday and Cider Monday sponsors:  Cheshire Garden, The Cheshire Horse, The Dragonfly Shop, Frogg Brewing, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, LuvINK&Paper, Monadnock Food Co-op, Prime Roast Coffee, Savings Bank of Walpole, Ted’s Shoe & Sport, and The Yoga Space. Own an independent business?  It’s not too late to jump in and participate.  Contact us today at monadnockbuylocal@gmail.com.

    Please join us and Shop Indie Local this holiday season.  Together we’ll create a true holiday gift to our community — one that will keep on giving throughout the New Year.

  • October 08, 2019 5:36 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    We have a lot to be proud of... Over the years, we’ve built a movement of local economy builders and made these individuals visible the Friday after Thanksgiving – by asking them to wear plaid on Plaid Friday.  Plus, Cider Monday was created right here in the Monadnock Region by Willard Williams of Toadstool Bookshops.

    We’ve built so much together, but there’s so much more to do to fan the positive ripple effect that happens when each of us shift our spending from big box stores and online giants to our friends and neighbors: independent business owners.
     
    Please help us continue the traditions that you helped build:  Support our Plaid Friday, Cider Monday and More crowdfunding campaign on The Local Crowd Monadnock today!

    Support our campaign 

    Every donation helps us spread the word about Plaid Friday and Cider Monday in our region.
     
    PLUS, we have some fabulous rewards to thank you for supporting our campaign:

    • A $25 gift card to the Monadnock Food Co-op
    • 4 jars of Cheshire Garden Organic Farmstead Preserves
    • A Full Moon Moose T-Shirt and Hat Combo from Of Moose & Mountain
    • Two 1-Day Passes to the Cheshire Children’s Museum
    • Yoga from Aloha Keene
    • Plaid Friday Rock Star status
    • And more!

    View more rewards on the right side of our campaign page.
     
    Thanks so much for all you do to support our local economy – and please help spread the word about our campaign to your friends, family and neighbors.

    Support our campaign

  • September 23, 2019 6:13 AM | Jen Risley (Administrator)

    The Local Crowd Monadnock (TLC Monadnock), a community-based crowdfunding program, launched two campaigns this month.  One for Orchard Hill Breadworks in Alstead and the other for the Monadnock Energy Hub -- a regional network focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy.  Learn more about these two campaigns and support them today.  Whether you give $5 or $500, it all comes together to help make our community more local, green and fair!


    Orchard Hill Breadworks: A Stone Mill for Mill Hollow

    The Orchard Hill Breadworks campaign is well on its way to meeting its fundraising goal of $12,750 to purchase a hand-built stone mill from New American Stone Mills in Elmore, Vermont.  This Vermont-quarried granite mill will allow Orchard Hill Breadworks to bake with freshly milled whole grain flour.  Stone milling flour, rather than roller milling (a method used in many large-scale flour operations) better preserves key nutrients and results in a better-for-you bread. 

    The bakery launched its campaign on September 3 with a Pizza Night Fundraiser that brought in nearly $4,000 -- enough for Orchard Hill Breadworks to put a down payment on the stone mill.  As I write this article, their fundraising total surpassed $10,000.  Just 20% more to go!

    “In communities all across America, bakeries are introducing their customers to the increased nutritional value and flavor of baked goods made with freshly milled flour,” said Noah Elbers, owner of Orchard Hill Breadworks. “We hope to provide our community with a better tasting, more nutritious loaf while also bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.”

    Visit the Orchard Hill Breadworks campaign page at http://c-fund.us/mqq. Give at certain levels and claim a great reward (or two) while they last.  Rewards include a Whole Grain Loaf of the Month Club, Bread Making Workshop, Pizza Party and more.  This crowdfunding campaign ends on October 3.


    Monadnock Energy Hub: Fast Charge Monadnock

    Fast Charge Monadnock aims to lower greenhouse gases and increase regional sustainable living by investing in electric vehicle infrastructure -- like charging stations. Support their effort to bring the first EV Fast Charger to the region, located at the Monadnock Food Co-op.

    An EV Fast Charger means a fully electric vehicle can recharge its batteries in 20-40 minutes (compared to 6+ hours on level 2 chargers available around Keene).  This project will encourage more zero emission vehicles to use our roadways, reducing our regional greenhouse gas emissions and increasing our regional sustainability.

    “Electric vehicles sales are rising with new car announcements coming almost monthly; drive ranges are lengthening as battery prices drop and technology improves,” said Mary Ewell, Coordinator of Monadnock Energy Hub.   “These aren’t just luxury vehicles either -- many are priced in line with new gasoline vehicles and highly economical when the federal tax credit and minimal maintenance costs are entered into the equation.”

    Visit the Fast Charge Monadnock campaign page at http://c-fund.us/mne.  This campaign also offers rewards for giving at certain levels such as gift cards from The Works Café and Monadnock Food Co-op.  Their crowdfunding campaign ends on October 14.

    More about TLC Monadnock

    Watch for more crowdfunding campaigns launching in October including a campaign from Mudita Massage & Wellness to support their Yoga for Addiction Recovery program and our own campaign to support this year’s Plaid Friday and Cider Monday campaigns.  We’ll also announce projects coming later this fall focusing on affordable housing, sustainable agriculture and equity.  Please stay tuned: tlcmonadnock.com.

    TLC Monadnock is a community-based crowdfunding platform that empowers individuals to support the businesses, organizations and initiatives that grow wealthier and healthier communities in our region.  Crowdfunding, or the practice of raising funds to support a project from a large number of people, is a viable alternative to recruiting businesses from outside the region to boost economic activity.

    TLC Monadnock is currently hosted by Monadnock Food Co-op and supported by the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, New Hampshire Small Business Development Center and Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.   Have questions, please contact me at monadnockbuylocal@gmail.com or 603-499-7950.

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