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Find local produce and much more at Old Orchard Point

May 19, 2025 by Julie C. Clemes

Matt and Hollie Hillard are pictured in front of Old Orchard Point, a family-owned store that sells produce from area farms and a variety of other local products, as well as offering workshops and classes. (Photo by Julie C. Clemes)

FAIRFIELD TWP. — Old Orchard Point, a family-owned and community-oriented farming and retail market enterprise, is beginning its second season in business at 7062 S. Adrian Highway.

Working the land, protecting the water

May 15, 2025 by Sophie Bird Murphy

Patrick Madden, who farms 100 acres near Clayton, is one of a growing number of local food growers who are taking steps to ensure the health of the region’s waterways.

CLAYTON — Local farmer Patrick Madden is part of a growing number of farmers who are not only providing food for the country but also taking steps to ensure that local waters are kept clean and safe.

At Madden’s 100-acre farm, that takes many forms. Named Mastodon Farm for the mastodon bones Madden’s grandfather uncovered while digging a pond on the property nearly 30 years ago, Mastodon Farm is now home to cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, honeybees, fruit and maple trees, and chemical-free produce like squashes, tomatoes, mushrooms, and berries.

Student-led farmers market returning to Wakefield Park

May 12, 2025 by Advocate staff

Zackary Shields and Colsen Waltzer help a customer at last year’s student-run farmers market at Wakefield Park. The market, which is now in its third year, will take place on May 17. (Lenawee Voice file photo)

MORENCI — On Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wakefield Park will come alive with the energy of the Morenci Area School Farmers Market — a unique, student-led event highlighting entrepreneurship, creativity, and community collaboration.

This is the third year that Morenci science teacher Grace Gierucki has led the Small Business Farmers Market class for middle school and high school students at Morenci. She started the class both to give students valuable experience and to fill a community need.

Morenci school bond proposal passes

May 9, 2025 by Advocate staff

A bond issue for Morenci Area Schools will go before voters on May 6. — A bond issue for Morenci Area Schools was approved by voters on May 6.

MORENCI — Voters in the Morenci school district approved a 30-year, $17.4 million bond issue in a May 6 special election.

The vote was 259-121, according to unofficial returns from the Lenawee County Clerk’s Office.

After the storm: Oak Grove Cemetery is recovering from 2022 wind damage

May 8, 2025 by Gayle Hazelbaker

Cemetery sexton Eric Emmons and assistant sexton Christa Davis stand in front of the new chapel at Oak Grove Cemetery. (Photo by Gayle Hazelbaker)

MORENCI — In August 2022, a strong wind storm came through Morenci. In its wake it left considerable damage to Oak Grove Cemetery. The heavy winds caused one of the old trees near the chapel to snap just above its base and fall onto the building. The impact caused the building to almost fold in half, according to Ted Hutchison, supervisor of the Morenci Department of Public Works.