Egg Expansion Project

Leadership Little Traverse and Ziibimijwang Celebrate Fundraising Success and Thank the Community for Their Support

Petoskey, Mich. — The 2024–2025 class of Leadership Little Traverse (LLT) is proud to announce the successful completion of its community impact project and extends its deepest gratitude to the many individuals, businesses, and organizations who made it possible. With the support of generous donors, event sponsors, and community partners, the cohort surpassed its $20,000 fundraising goal in support of Ziibimijwang’s egg production expansion project.

As the LLT class prepares to graduate this Thursday, May 22, this milestone stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, service, and shared commitment to a stronger Northern Michigan.

Ziibimijwang is a tribally-designated nonprofit farm guided by Anishinaabek traditional ecological knowledge and committed to food sovereignty for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB). The farm provides nutrient-rich, locally grown produce and pasture-raised eggs, free of charge, to LTBB community members, elders, and Human Services clients. In 2024 alone, Ziibimijwang distributed more than 4,000 pounds of produce and 900 dozen eggs, while piloting a Harvest Box program featuring indigenous foods such as wild rice, squash, and purple potatoes.

The funds raised through this partnership will allow Ziibimijwang to expand its egg production capacity by investing in critical infrastructure upgrades and processing tools. These improvements will enhance food distribution and support the farm’s growing potential for retail partnerships.

Throughout the past nine months, the LLT cohort worked side by side with Ziibimijwang, organizing fundraising events, coordinating grant proposals, and volunteering on the farm to help prepare the site for its next phase of growth. The team will continue supporting the project this summer as the farm converts a shipping container into a refrigerated storage unit—an essential step toward generating sustainable revenue while maintaining its mission of providing food free of cost to those in need.

“We are beyond grateful to everyone who contributed, whether they donated directly, partnered on a fundraising event with us, or helped spread the word,” said Kayla Kuzel, a member of the LLT Class of 2025. “This project wasn’t just about infrastructure—it was about honoring tradition, supporting our neighbors, and investing in the future of our local food systems. Every contribution has helped move this vision forward.”

LLT also thanks the many project sponsors and supporters, including but not limited to Awakon Federal Credit Union, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, Odawa Casino, Gypsy Spirits, Buffalo Wild Wings, and the many individual donors whose generosity brought this project to life.

As Ziibimijwang looks to expand its distribution sites including new drop-off locations in Charlevoix and monthly deliveries to Grand Rapids, East Lansing, and Detroit, the partnership with Leadership Little Traverse represents a model for how community-driven leadership and indigenous food systems can thrive together.

“We’re so grateful for the support and energy the Leadership Little Traverse class brought to this project,” said Courtney Wilber, Food Systems Program Manager at Ziibimijwang. “This partnership has helped us take real, tangible steps toward expanding our capacity and increasing food access for our community. It’s encouraging to see so many people come together in support of Indigenous food sovereignty. We welcome anyone who feels inspired by this work to stay connected, reach out with questions, or join our work-bee volunteer days.”

About Leadership Little Traverse

Leadership Little Traverse is a nine-month professional leadership program hosted by the Petoskey Regional and Harbor Springs Area Chambers of Commerce. The program’s mission is to inspire and equip local leaders to take action and strengthen their communities. Members of the Leadership Little Traverse Class of 2025 are Noelle Behling, Lilah Clevey, Anna DeCamp, Kandys Graham, Courtney Graham-Cheadle, Kayla Kuzel, Kayla Magee, Sergio Morado, Keely Bomee Platte, Emma Radatovich, Rachel Roon, Sarah Schertel, Fletcher Spears IV, Kyle Volp, and Theresa Will.


 FAQs

  • Ziibimijwang Farm needs support to improve its egg production and storage processes. Currently, we rely on refrigerated vehicles, which are unreliable and risks food quality. A walk-in cooler would provide stable, efficient storage for produce and eggs. Financial backing and help with organizing tools, converting the shipping container, and purchasing egg-processing equipment will streamline operations, enhance distribution, and support growth.

  • This project will provide the reliable infrastructure needed for sustainable operations at Ziibimijwang Farm. A walk-in cooler will ensure proper storage for eggs and produce, allowing us to distribute eggs to local stores. This expansion will create a steady income stream, helping fund continued growth and strategic planning.

    Long-term, these changes will support the farm’s economic stability and create job opportunities. By reaching new markets, we can foster financial sustainability and strengthen our position as a key contributor to the local food network and community.


  • This project will provide Ziibimijwang Farm with the infrastructure needed for sustainable, long-term success. A walk-in cooler will enable proper storage and allow for expanded egg distribution to local stores, creating a steady income stream for future growth. These enhancements will support economic stability, create job opportunities, and strengthen the farm’s role as a key contributor to the local food network and community.

  • To enhance egg production and storage, we plan to purchase essential equipment that will streamline our processes. This includes an egg washer and an egg basket, which will make cleaning eggs more efficient. Cleaned eggs need to be refrigerated since washing removes their natural protective coating. We also plan to acquire an egg candler to check the quality of eggs by examining their interior, ensuring we only distribute high-quality eggs. An incubator will be added to support sustainable egg production by facilitating the hatching process.

    Additionally, funds will be used to convert one of our existing shipping containers into a walk-in cooler. This will provide a reliable, temperature-controlled space for storing both produce and eggs. These purchases and improvements will bolster our ability to effectively distribute food, expanding our reach to local stores and supporting the farm’s long-term sustainability.

  • Leadership Little Traverse’s service period is from November 2024 to May 2025.

  • Leadership Little Traverse is a 9-month professional leadership program with a mission to inspire and prepare civic leaders in the Little Traverse Bay Region to take action and better our community. The most recent cohort to complete the program in May of 2024 brings the total alumni to 336 and was the 23rd class to complete the program. The current cohort is the class of 2025, and is notably the Best Class Ever. LLT is a program hosted by the Petoskey Regional and Harbor Springs Area Chambers of Commerce.