Church Fundraiser Cooks Up a Lesson in Farming

North Lima, OH: A valley church is expanding its mission to teach farming with its annual fundraiser. This is the third year for the fundraiser, Harvest of Hope, held by the Common Ground Church Community. The event features chefs from seven restaurants and catering companies that cook dishes using locally grown, seasonal ingredients. Proceeds benefit the Goodness Grows program that teaches people how to farm. "We're focused on agricultural training for 2014 for special needs adults and high school students, as well as a general program for a one year course at the Joseph Badger Meadows Camp. It's welcome to anybody in the Fall of 2014," says Greg Bowman, Executive Director of Goodness Grows. More than 300 people attended Thursday's Harvest of Hope. The event raised $17,000 and Carmella's café won the title of "top chef."  www.fundraising-ideas.org