But that’s exactly what happened. The barn, now the centerpiece of the Bloomfield Hills School District’s “land laboratory,” is one of five historic barns slated for preservation and restoration through the Campbell Soup Company’s “Help Grow Your Soup” Program. Paint for the exterior of the barn was donated by Valspar, and the award included $5,000 to fund replacement of boards and doors that have deteriorated.

 

More than a quarter million votes were cast in the online competition that included the efforts of 17,000 Facebook fans. The Bowers farm received 90,566 votes over a three-month period, equating to 933 votes per day.  Through this program, Campbell's Soup has donated $500,000 to the National FFA Organization (formerly the Future Farmers of America) to promote educational programs that help students explore modern agriculture, and become future leaders in the industry.

 

The original farmer, who dreamed of working a small dairy farm in his retirement years, died before the barn was completed, and the 66-acre parcel was sold to the Bloomfield Hills School District in 1966 as a building site. It was designated as the school farm in 1970 and named for Charles L. Bowers, a school board member who believed in outdoor education.

 

“The barn is a landmark and the identifying component of the farm to the school district's students and the surrounding community,” says farm manager Holly Glomski. “This makeover will preserve the barn’s aesthetic beauty and ensure that the farm will attract audiences and inspire future generations of students.”

 

The school farm is an integral part of the Bloomfield Hills K-12 science program. The facility houses sheep, cattle, horses, and other working farm animals, and teaches students the role of agriculture in Michigan’s economy, the genetics of animal selection, and biotechology. Over the years, a number of students have chosen careers in agri-science fields as a result of their time at the farm.

 

“We have many educational programs for the public,” Glomski says. “One of our least-known programs is the student-run garden and produce stand. Planting, harvesting, and everything in between is done by students, who then sell the produce to the general public at the produce stand.”

 

Renovations will begin with a 3-day event in spring 2010. Glomski estimates they will need the help of 70 or more people to paint, and replace boards and doors. Civic Groups, Organizations, and individuals are welcome to participate. Contact the farm at 248-341-6475 to volunteer.

 

The School Farm welcomes over 50,000 visitors annually, usually by appointment, and is located at 1219 E. Square Lake Road, in Bloomfield Hills, just west of Adams Road.

Community residents may lease garden plots, schedule birthday parties, and reserve the activity barn by calling 248-341-6475. Hours of operation and much more information can be found at www.schoolfarm.org.

Editor's Note: Buy Michigan Now would like to thank our many dedicated supporters, who voted regularly, and helped spread the word about the Campbell's Help Grow Your Soup program.