Cherry Republic supports local farmers during National Cherry Month
From staff reports
In a significant move to bolster the agricultural community, Cherry Republic announced that during National Cherry Month in February, 2 percent of all sales from its six stores and online will be donated to the Farm Stress Program, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Michigan farmers.
“This February, every purchase at Cherry Republic is not just a tribute to the iconic Michigan cherry, but also a direct support to the heart and soul of our agricultural community — our farmers,” said Sara Harding, vice president of Marketing and Impact at Cherry Republic, who shared this initiative as part of the company’s broader effort to contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of local farmers.
Bob Sutherland, founder of Cherry Republic, has been a passionate advocate for Michigan’s farmers since the company’s inception. In his declaration of “Happy Love Thy Farmer month,” Sutherland emphasized the diverse challenges farmers face and the critical need for support. “Our farmers are more than cultivators of the land; they are the caretakers of our heritage. It’s our honor to give back to those who give us so much,” he said.
The donation to the Farm Stress Program is a cornerstone of Cherry Republic’s campaign to spotlight the importance of mental health among farmers. The program, with MSU Extension, provides free resources including teletherapy, educational presentations, farm financial analysis, and business management strategies, among others.
“By integrating our fundraising efforts into National Cherry Month, we invite our customers to join us in this vital cause. With each cherry product enjoyed, we are collectively making a difference in the lives of our farmers,” said Harding.
MSU Extension’s Remington Rice
For more information on the Farm Stress Program, to make use of its services, or to participate in the National Cherry Month initiative, contact Remi Rice at riceremi@msu.edu or visit extension.msu.edu/legacygrants.
Click here to read our 2022 interview with Remington Rice, “Supporting mental health on the farm.”
