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

BLOOMINGTON – 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 the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program.

Sobremesa Farm

“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.”

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch

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.

Juan Carlos Arango (left) and Robert Frew in a hoop house at Sobremesa Farm. Photo by Aubrey Dunnuck.

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.

Visitors at Sobremesa Farm

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.