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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, March 30-April 2, 2019 A-11 The Park Record Continued from A-10 Farm fundraiser pete with commercial produce. Running a small farm and using eco-friendly practices can be expensive, and Morgan said her profit margin is small. She said Ranui Gardens breaks even with some of the crops it grows. “Most of society does not value food, or understand what it takes to produce food, especially without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, major machinery, things like that,” she said. She said there is a movement to support local farms that is gaining momentum. She partners with several restaurants in Park City and Salt Lake City to provide vegetables, and more people shop from local farmers at farmers markets during the summer. She hopes to see the movement continue because she has big plans for Ranui Gardens. Morgan became the owner of the company last year after she started working at it five years eago. Park City born and raised, eshe grew up visiting Ranui Garsdens with her family to buy prooduce. o She is proud to be at its head nalongside Sue Post and John Gaerofalo, who have run the gardens gfor the last 15 years and continue to be partners of the operation. oMorgan said last year, she, Post .and Garofalo sat down to talk oabout the company’s future. It was then that Morgan realized she needed to make some big ,investments if she wanted to sustain the farms and one day nenhance production. She applied for and received etwo micro-grants to buy some new equipment, and she planned on applying for a $35,000 grant t Continued from A-8 h o Workers honored , COURTESY OF ANDREA MORGAN From left, Andrea Morgan, Sue Post and John Garofalo run Ranui Gardens In Oakley and Hoytsville. from the U.S. Department of Agriculture a few months ago. But the grant cycle did not open during the 35-day government shutdown earlier this year, and Morgan was unsure when it would open. She said Ranui Gardens needs the funds to pay for new infrastructure, including a repaired deer fence to keep the animals out and new tools that will help the soil remain healthy. Plus, she wants to buy a flower processing shed where the team can cut and arrange flowers. Currently, workers have makeshift shade structures they move during the day as they chase the shade because flowers are fragile. When Morgan realized the grant application might not open for a while, a friend suggested she turn to another form of funding — a crowdfunding campaign. Morgan said her options were limited. If Ranui Gardens does not receive a large chunk of funds soon, it may have to scale back production and reevaluate its business plan. Morgan said Ranui Gardens will likely be able to get through the upcoming growing season because of its community-supported agriculture program. Customers purchase the produce they want to buy before the growing season starts and receive food throughout the summer and fall. After this year, she is not sure. She launched the fundraiser last Wednesday and has until April 23 to hit her all-or-nothing goal of $22,000. If the company does not reach its funding goal, it will not receive any of the funds donated. She is raising the money on Barnraiser, a crowdfunding site specifically designed for farmers, gardens and other food-related businesses. She is hopeful that Ranui Gardens will raise the funds, but like many people in the agriculture industry, she knows that there always needs to be a backup plan. She hopes to do what she can to keep the business running regardless. “We are not even just acting as a farm, we are acting as a habitat provider. We are taking care of our soil, we are taking care of our water,” she said. “We are a small part of this major movement that is taking off globally, where really it is about connecting people, connecting people to the land that supports them and provides for them on the most basic level.” To donate to the farm, visit www.ranui.com. Basso said after the event that being available all the time is part of the job. It can be stressful, but he enjoys working somewhere that people come from far away to visit. “It’s what we do on a daily basis, keeping guests happy and just doing the job,” he said. Smith, who has worked as a server in Park City for 16 years, also said he just tries to do his job the best he can. He was grateful to have the work he puts in every day recognized by the entire hospitality industry in Park City. “I’ve been in this town for a long time and I know the quality of service that everyone provides,” he said. “For me to come out the winner, I’m just overwhelmed.” MEET ROMAN! We are pleased to partner with Nuzzles & Co. to find homes for these great pups. This handsome boy loves to go for walks and hang out with his people. Come and meet him today! Male | Medium Sized | 6 yrs | German Shepherd Call 435.649.5441 to learn more! These homes range in price from $995,000 - $4,495,000. New price! 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