Lt. Gov. Crouch, IHCDA launch crowdfunding campaign for Microbe Mural at Sobremesa Farm

$15,000 goal to receive a matching grant through IHCDA's CreatINg Places initiative

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Apr. 10, 2023) - Bloomington residents will soon have new educational art if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $15,000 by May 25, 2023. If successful, the project led by Sobremesa Farm will receive a matching grant as part of IHCDA'sCreatINg Places program.

"Sobremesa Farm is a community landmark with an opportunity to add another dynamic component to its experience," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Through the CreatINg Places program, Sobremesa Farm will continue to educate visitors and uplift the community for years to come."

Funds from this campaign will be used to create an educational mural for the community highlighting the importance of microorganisms living in healthy soil. The mural, located at Sobremesa Farm's new compost facility, will illustrate microorganisms and engage visitors to consider the role they play in our daily lives.

"We strive to expose the community to the importance of a diverse eco-system supporting a balanced diversity of microbes in the soil and an inclusive food network that supports equity for a multicultural community," said Robert Frew, Community Projects Coordinator for Sobremesa Farm.

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $7.5 million in public funds and an additional $6.3 million in matching IHCDA funds.

The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.