Trump Administration Awards Development Grants to Area

The Trump Administration, along with Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced 20 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,068,984 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. Among them were three projects in the area.

USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training, and job-creation activities to small rural businesses. Among the recipients:

–Lettuce Dream, a nonprofit providing job and training opportunities for individuals with disabilities, will use an $18,422 grant to purchase new packaging, labeling, boxes, and marketing materials so it can enter a new retail market in Maryville, Mo.

–Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation will use a $19,973 grant to provide training and technical assistance for business development services for existing and new, emerging small businesses in a six-county region of northwest Missouri.

–The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, Inc. will use a $46,675 grant to provide training and technical assistance for business development services in northwest Missouri.

Lettuce Dream to Hold Open House

Lettuce Dream, a not-for-profit social enterprise in Maryville, Missouri will hold an Open House, Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th, 2016 at their new greenhouse facility at 1623 E. 2nd Street in Maryville. The Open House will feature a tour, information about the hydroponic operation, and a brief time for questions.

The Open House will run from 11:00am-7:00pm on Friday, November 4th and from 10:00am-3:00 pm, Saturday, November 5th. This event is free and open to the public. Donations are still being accepted as Lettuce Dream starts working towards their first year of operation at their newly finished greenhouse facility.

“This event offers a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in seeing what the inside of a hydroponic operation looks like,” Interim Director Jackie Allenbrand said. “There has been so much interest from the public. The Lettuce Dream Board and I are looking forward to finally being able to share a look at the facility and to let people know about the training we will provide for persons with cognitive and developmental disabilities.”

Anyone wanting more information can go to the Lettuce Dream Facebook page or please e-mail: jallebrand@lettucedream.org. To learn more about Lettuce Dream and their mission visit their website at: www.lettucedream.org.

Lettuce Dream Appoints New Director

The Board of Directors of Lettuce Dream is proud to announce the appointment of Jackie Allenbrand as Director of the new social enterprise. Lettuce Dream is a hydroponic operation that will provide training opportunities for area individuals with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities.

Jackie comes to Lettuce Dream with a wealth of knowledge and extensive background working with persons with disabilities and has additional experience in the field of agriculture through her previous work experiences. Jackie received her B.S. Degree in Education/Special Education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. Jackie and her husband Chris live on a farm near Stanberry, MO.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with this innovative organization here in NW Missouri,” says, Allenbrand. “I’ve been with Lettuce Dream since the first meeting 3 years ago and I’m looking forward to seeing the success of this unique operation.” “Vocational choices for persons with disabilities is limited in rural areas. Lettuce Dream will be an opportunity for them to learn and grow within their own communities.”

To learn more about Lettuce Dream visit their website at www.lettucedream.org.