Press Release – Crosby Mint Farm Update

20 09 2009

From a Crosby Mint Farm press release….

An Update from the Crosby Mint Farm
30 days Right of Refusal, Get Mint Trading Co. at Detroit Farmer’s Markets, Eviction Sale.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) September 18, 2009
30 day Right of Refusal
It has been three weeks since the farm’s eviction on August 28, 2009. While the writ of eviction was signed by Hon. Judge Tehvonen on Monday August 24th 2009, the Crosbys had until Friday August 28th 2009 5PM to be off their property. While evacuating the farm, the 30 day Right of Refusal was issued, putting the deadline of raising the, by Greenstone FCS newly appraised fair market value of $550,000, at September 25th 2009.

Peppermint Jim lectures and Get Mint Trading Company sales
The Get Mint Trading Company, the business extension of the Crosby Mint Farm, is still up and running and not much has changed since the eviction, according to “Peppermint”Jim and Linette Crosby, owners of the farm. Orders are still coming in, are being processed and products are sent to the still growing costumers base.
Peppermint Jim will be giving a lecture about mint oils and its uses at St. Stephen’s Health Ministry monthly meeting in Lansing this Saturday from 11am to1pm, open to the public (1007 Kimberly Street).
On both September 26th and October 3rd Peppermint Jim and the Get Mint Trading will be selling products at the Fall Season Farmer’s Market in Greenfield Village from 10am to 3pm.

Eviction Sale
On the family’s property along Old US 27 North, the eviction sale is ongoing, with a variety of items for sale. Public is welcome, for questions please refer to contact information.

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Press Release – Watch The Crosby Mint Farm Eviction

27 08 2009

So, this is  a pretty interesting press release from the Crosby Mint Farm.  There’s some important stuff in there about the business, but the very last paragraph invites you to the farm at 4:00 PM on Friday to watch the eviction.  Not sure what that means.

EVACUATION OF CROSBY MINT FARM, GATHERING FRIDAY AT 4:00PM, OWNER IS EVICTED FROM PROPERTY AT 5:00 PM
PUBLIC AND MEDIA INVITED
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) August 27, 2009
Eviction
Peppermint Jim Crosby, owner of the almost centennial, oldest operating mint farm in the United States received a writ of eviction, signed by Hon. Judge Tahvonen on Monday. The following day, Crosby received the notice of eviction to have all property and persons removed by Friday August 28th, at 5 pm, leaving four days for the entire farm evacuation. State and federal government offices have remained silent in supporting the preservation of a national landmark. A request for mediation between Greenstone Farm Credit Services and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), who backs the loans, has been sent by Crosby to Governor Granholm’s office, but no response is received thus far.
Evacuation
Friends and family are gathered at the farm, helping with the evacuation. Farm animals are displaced and homes are being sought for them. The Mint Store, extension of the Get Mint Trading Company is relocated and is fully operating; taking, processing and shipping orders as usual. Costumers can still order products online and through the 800 number. Jim Crosby has been offered a temporary home at an old vacant mint farm in the area.
There will be a foreclosure/eviction sale on Friday at the farm from 9:00AM – 4:00PM.

Right of Refusal
After the signing of the writ of eviction, a First Right of Refusal was issued to Peppermint Jim Crosby. This gives him 30 days to raise the value of $550.000 appraised by Greenstone Farm Credit Services this week. Crosby has faith that he will raise this amount and buy back his farm by the end of the 30 days.

Gathering Friday August 28 2009 4:00PM
Public and media are invited to come to the Crosby Mint Farm at 4:00 pm on Friday August 28th to witness the eviction at 5:00pm that afternoon.





Press Release – Crosby Mint Farm To Be Evacuated Immediately

25 08 2009

The following comes from a Crosby Mint Farm press release…

JUDGE SIGNS EVICTION NOTICE, CROSBY MINT FARM TO BE EVACUATED IMMEDIATELY.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) August 24, 2009. 29th Judicial Circuit Court Judge, the Hon. Randy L. Tahvonen signed an order this afternoon to allow the eviction of Peppermint Jim Crosby from his property known as The Crosby Mint Farm. Neither the Crosbys nor their attorney were aware that the hearing was scheduled to be held this afternoon and was most unexpected. There had been no motion of hearing sent out, the Crosbys and their attorney found out about the scheduled hearing this morning while personally filing an objection with the court to the Writ of Eviction that was filed last Thursday by Greenstone Farm Credit Services.

Eviction
The Crosby Mint Farm has been in foreclosure for a year and was unable to raise the $330,000 needed to redeem the property back from Greenstone Farm Credit Services by August 14th 2009. Before an eviction takes place, the owners have the right to refuse and, according to Greenstone, should be receiving a 30 day Right of Refusal with the price set by Greenstone. However, since judge Tehvonen signed the eviction notice, this goes into immediate effect before the Crosbys receive their 30 days to raise the money to buy back the property before it will be auctioned off and processed by the bank. The latter has yet to step forward and appraise the farm with a set amount.

Government support
Peppermint Jim Crosby states that even with the series of events that have occurred, he will keep supporting and helping the local Michigan businesses he has been working with through the Get Mint Trading Company. He will continue the fight for farm preservation with the company’s growing costumer base, because of all the support he and his family have received since the beginning of this foreclosure process. “There is no need to liquidate this farm”, he proclaims.
Lack of support from the state and federal government demonstrates a true injustice towards the small American farm. Senator Debbie Stabenow’s office was contacted in 2007, but the promised follow up did not come until 2008, when Jim Crosby received a form letter. The letter stated that there were no violations by the Farm Service Agency, which is contradictory to the borrower rights for restructuring and mediation. Other offices that were contacted in 2008, were Senator Crospsey’s, Congressman Rogers’ and Congressman Levin’s, and Senator Garcia’s. The responses that came back were that the situation is “unfortunate”. “As a constituent of these leaders I am disappointed that I have to talk them into supporting and acknowledging us and the value of the farm to Michigan,” Crosby states. “I am not asking for a bail-out, just the time and opportunity to restructure and grow the business to preserve the farm.”
In the mean time, the business, the Get Mint Trading Company remains in operation. Orders are still coming in over the phone and through the website and they are being processed and shipped to costumers throughout the nation.





End of an Era for Crosby Mint Farm

25 08 2009

It’s a sad day in St. John.  Via WLNS

A local farmer is forced to walk away from his property. Jim Crosby says and he and his family are packing whatever they can. A Clinton County judge signed formal paperwork which forces the Crosby family to leave their mint farm for good.





Press Release – ‘Peppermint Jim Mojito’s’ to Benefit Crosby Mint Farm

12 08 2009

From a Crosby Mint Farm press release….

(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) August 12, 2009 – Coach’s Pub and Grill in St. Johns is supporting the Crosby Mint Farm during the 2009 Mint festival. The management took the initiative to contact Peppermint Jim Crosby, owner of the Crosby Mint Farm in St. Johns, to ask for mint they will use for their weekend special “Peppermint Jim Mojitos”. The Crosby Mint Farm also provided two gift baskets with mint products to raffle during this weekend. Part of the proceeds will go directly to the Crosby Mint Farm which is facing foreclosure on the 14th, and is in the middle of a race against the clock to save the farm. The Crosbys are hosting Mint Jam 09 this weekend at the farm as a fundraiser.





Press Release – Crosby Mint Farm at Eastern Market

6 08 2009

From a Crosby Mint Farm Press Release……

PEPPERMINT JIM WILL BE SELLING PRODUCTS AT THE DETROIT EASTERN MARKET ON SATURDAY AUGUST 8TH 2009.

HELP PRESERVE THE OLDEST, CONTINIOUSLY FAMILY OPERATED MINT FARM IN THE U.S. BY SUPPORTING THE CROSBY MINT FARM, ST JOHNS, MICHIGAN.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(MINT CITY, USA/St. Johns, MI) August 5, 2009 – All Michigan Made costumers, supporters, community members, new and old costumers are invited to come to the Eastern Market in Detroit on Saturday August 8th 2009. Peppermint Jim Crosby will be at the Detroit Eastern Market on Saturday selling his mint oil products. This will be an opportunity to support the oldest continuously family owned and operated mint farm in the country that is facing foreclosure. There will be a wide variety of mint products produced directly on the farm for sale. Peppermint Jim will be sharing his passion and knowledge of the healing properties of mint.

WHAT: Peppermint Jim Crosby will be at the Detroit Eastern Market.

WHO: Community members and supporters of the Crosby Mint Farm.

WHERE: Detroit Eastern Market
                     2934 Russell Street
                     Detroit, MI 48207

                     PH: 313.833.9300

                     FAX: 313.833.9309

WHEN: Saturday August 8th, 2009
                   5AM-5PM

About Crosby Mint Farm
Our mission is to preserve the heritage of the nation’s oldest sustainable mint producer, live as an independent American farmer producing the highest quality point of origin essential mint oil available, while honoring the land with sustainable farming management plans, renewable energy sources, and green growing practices, build relationships through education and

outreach, health & wellness, and personal ecological accountability.