Grupo Ayé has a bona fide local connection to the Grand Traverse region. Band founder Robert Mulligan spent part of his childhood in Omena in Leelanau County, where his mother lives. We caught up with Robert to learn more about the band, about his love for Latin music, and about his northern Michigan roots.
Our Harvest partners: the cooks, the drink mixer, the music man
Groundwork’s annual Harvest at the Commons celebration is a community collaboration, and one that wouldn’t be possible without key partners who lend their talents, and their love for the northern Michigan community.
Show Your Salsa Skills at Harvest at the Commons
The Afro-Caribbean Salsa band Grupo Ayé will heat up the dance floor at Harvest at the Commons. In preparation for our annual celebration, we’ve partnered with local dance teacher Mykl Werth and Right Brain Brewery to offer four Salsa Dance lessons, beginning Sept. 11 and running every Monday night until Oct. 2. Sign up here.
Oryana Community Co-op Announces Fourth Annual Farm Tour
Join our partner Oryana Community Co-op for their fourth annual Farm Tour on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 1-4 p.m. at Idyll Farms, 10901 E Peterson Park Rd, in Northport. Get a first hand look at where Oryana gets some of the delicious, local goat cheese you’ve come to know and love.
Introducing Groundwork’s Summer Fellows
Three fellows recently joined the Groundwork team for a nearly three-month period. Food Equity fellow Sarah Perez-Sanz is working with Food & Farming Director Meghan McDermott on food equity and access; Farms, Food and Health fellow Katie Wheeler is working with Senior Policy Specialist Diane Conners on Community-Supported-Agriculture (CSA) wellness programs, and Clean Energy fellow Abby Hackman is supporting Clean Energy Policy specialist Dan Worth.
Groundwork Expands Food and Farming Work to Petoskey Region
We at Groundwork are expanding our reach into Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet counties. On June 15, we launched a new Petoskey office to support an expansion of the organization’s farm to school, food access, and farmer support projects.