{"id":34831,"date":"2013-03-26T00:08:26","date_gmt":"2013-03-26T07:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.raisingjane.org\/journal\/?p=34831"},"modified":"2013-03-26T00:08:26","modified_gmt":"2013-03-26T07:08:26","slug":"start-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.raisingjane.org\/journal\/34831","title":{"rendered":"Only 2 Days Left!!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t“It has been a bit since I’ve posted in the MaryJanesFarm\u00a0chatroom<\/a>, but I knew that this was the place to come for some farmgirl support!” writes Ann of Forrester Farm<\/a> in Belmont, Michigan.<\/p>\n

Yesterday morning, Ann shared her recent mission:<\/p>\n

She has been busy searching for a farm addition\u2014a location that would allow her to expand her fabulous floral business and host dreamy rural weddings.<\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of A Sprig of Lavender.<\/p><\/div>\n

“We now have an opportunity to grow into an additional farm location that will\u00a0support a you-cut flower garden, bridal and community floral classes, and small events like farm-to-table dinners by local chefs.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of A Sprig of Lavender.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Photo courtesy of A Sprig of Lavender.<\/p><\/div>\n

But, as most of us know, making a major move in life (and business) can be daunting.<\/p>\n

That’s why Ann has submitted her idea to Start Garden<\/a>, a Michigan “seed fund” with a sensationally speedy turnaround.<\/p>\n

Every week, this $15 million fund, founded by Amway heir Rick DeVos, gives $5,000 to two new ideas.<\/p>\n

Every week!<\/i><\/p>\n

The Start Garden team picks one idea, and the second selection is the idea with the most endorsements from the general public (that means us!).<\/p>\n

“We want to invest in what you like,” says Start Garden. “The type of idea we\u2019re looking for is an idea that could, potentially, become a business.”<\/p>\n

Selected start-ups receive an initial $5,000 in seed capital, and then they have a couple of months to prove their ideas before returning in person to compete for additional financing at a monthly event called Update Night.<\/p>\n

(Kind of like the Shark Tank<\/i><\/a> <\/i>show, but not quite so \u2026 er<\/i> \u2026 cutthroat).<\/p>\n

This week, Ann Forrester is going for it, and she’s hoping you’ll lend a vote in her favor.<\/p>\n

“Knowing the farmgirl way of thinking, I’m thanking you in advance for support!” she offers.<\/p>\n

I’d say she knows us pretty well.<\/p>\n

All you have to do is:<\/p>\n