Support local agriculture at Cascade Culver's Share Night

CASCADE – In support of farmland preservation, Cascade Culver’s (6300 28th St SE) is joining seven other locations to raise awareness and funding for Kent County’s farmland preservation efforts. From 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 10 percent of all sales will benefit the County’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program. Guests can enjoy a great meal, see real farm animals at three participating locations, and contribute to an important cause. Farm animal exhibits will be featured at the Lowell, Cascade, and Byron Center locations, giving residents the opportunity to interact with the animals.
 
“When I sat across from Denny Heffron (Heffron Farms) and really learned how development and so many other challenges are affecting our farmers, I knew other Culver’s operators would want to help,” said Steve Stephan, owner-operator of three participating Culver’s locations and a member of Cascade Township’s Downtown Development Authority.
 
Stephan's prediction proved correct, as five more Culver’s operators joined the effort for the June 25 Share Night event.

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“Cascade Township believes in local agriculture and is striving to preserve open space. Kent County’s program is an excellent tool to bolster these efforts. We encourage residents and their children to come out, learn a bit about farming, and enjoy a meal knowing you’re supporting farmland preservation.”

Cascade Township Supervisor Grace Lesperance

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“Cascade Township believes in local agriculture and is striving to preserve open space. Kent County’s program is an excellent tool to bolster these efforts,” said Cascade Township Supervisor Grace Lesperance. “We encourage residents and their children to come out, learn a bit about farming, and enjoy a meal knowing you’re supporting farmland preservation.”

ABOUT FARMLAND PRESERVATION 

Farmland loss is a pressing issue in Kent County. The 2022 Agricultural Census revealed that the county lost more than 13,000 acres of farmland between 2017 and 2022. This land, now lost to development, can no longer support farm families producing the beef, pork, fruit, and vegetables essential to our local food system.

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"The natural character of Cascade Township is valued by our residents, and we are working hard to ensure that policies are put in place to protect our valuable and finite natural resources. We support the efforts of Kent County to preserve farmland and will continue to encourage residents to participate.”
  The Kent County PDR Program is a voluntary initiative that compensates owners of agricultural property for accepting a permanent deed restriction on their land that limits future development for non-agricultural purposes. Landowners are compensated for the fair market value of their land, based on the difference between its open market value with no restrictions and its value as farmland. Independent, professional appraisers determine these values, and agreements are negotiated individually with each farmer. Once an easement is in place, the landowner may still sell the land as farmland. All private property rights remain intact.

"The natural character of Cascade Township is valued by our residents, and we are working hard to ensure that policies are put in place to protect our valuable and finite natural resources,” said Andrea Hendrick, Cascade’s Community Planning & Development Director. “We support the efforts of Kent County to preserve farmland and will continue to encourage residents to participate.”

For more information about the event or the Kent County PDR program, visit the Kent County PDR website.