Grow the Good Advocate Hub
A simple home base for anyone helping share the vision and raise support for The FARM Center.
our vision
Quick links
Sponsor the Farmers Market or Fair
Submit a lead
Report outreach activity
Campaign calendar
Your role: Invite. Share why this matters. Ask for a next step.
Pick 10 people or businesses to contact this week.
Share your story and the short pitch below.
Ask for a gift, sponsorship, or a volunteer commitment.
Three steps to get moving:
Local business owners and plant managers
Parents, pastors, coaches, civic leaders
Friends who value agriculture, youth, and community
Three steps to get moving:
2 minutes - Everyone who visits the FARM Center feels the potential of this place. We see it at Oconee Night Out, at the market on Saturday mornings, and at the fair each September. Our vision is simple. Connect the community through agriculture so that values like respect, responsibility, and self-reliance are passed to the next generation. To do this well, we need stable funding for staff, programs, and maintenance. Grow the Good is how we get there. We would rather have thousands of families give a little than a few donors give a lot because broad support makes this a community institution. You can help by giving, sponsoring, volunteering, or introducing us to decision makers at local companies.
60 seconds - The FARM Center is a 57-acre nonprofit in the heart of Oconee County. Most folks know us through the Foothills Heritage Farmers Market and the South Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair. What many do not see is the deeper work of connecting neighbors, teaching kids where food comes from, and creating a place where families belong. We are moving from a volunteer-led startup to a permanent institution our county can count on. Grow the Good is the campaign that funds that step. Will you join us with a gift, a sponsorship, or by opening a door to someone who can help?
15 seconds - The FARM Center connects our community through agriculture. We host the fair, farmers market, and year-round programs that build character and bring people together. We are asking you to join us and help Grow the Good in Oconee.
Sponsor the Farmers Market, the Fair, or the campaign
Fund a specific need like youth education, arena improvements, or facilities
Offer in-kind support: printing, equipment, materials, or services
Become a monthly donor at any level
Make a one-time gift to kickstart the campaign
Individuals
Businesses
Share the campaign and invite members to give
Volunteer at events
Churches and civic groups
Is this government funded? No. We are an independent nonprofit that relies on donations, sponsors, and rentals.
Where does the money go? Staff, programs, facility upkeep, and the systems that make this sustainable. A detailed breakdown is available in the downloads below.
How much should I give? Any amount helps. As a guide, $15 monthly from many families is just as valuable as a few large gifts. Broad support matters.
I gave through Zeffy and saw an extra charge. What is it? Zeffy adds an optional tip to support their platform. You can change the tip to 0 before submitting your gift. For recurring gifts, set the tip once and it will apply every month. You can change it later in your Zeffy receipt or donor portal.
Night of Worship: Sunday, September 7
South Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair: Tuesday–Saturday, September 23–27
Golden Corner Native Plant Festival: Saturday, October 4
Use these events as natural touchpoints for invites, tours, and follow-up conversations.
Text message - “Hey [Name], quick note. I’m helping The FARM Center raise support to keep building community through agriculture. Can I swing by and show you what we are doing? 15 minutes.”
Short: “I’m supporting The FARM Center because it connects our community through agriculture. Join me and help Grow the Good in Oconee. Give here: [link]”
Invite: “Tour the FARM Center with me this week. See the fairgrounds, market, and arena, and hear how you can help us Grow the Good. Message me to pick a time.”
Social post templates
Phone opener “Hi [Name], I’m volunteering with The FARM Center. We are launching Grow the Good to fund staff and programs that serve families in Oconee. I would love ten minutes to show you the plan and ask for your support.”
Email invite Subject: Join me in Growing the Good in Oconee
Hi [Name],
I’m helping The FARM Center strengthen the place that brings Oconee together through agriculture. We are asking friends to give, sponsor, or open doors. Could we meet next week for a quick walk-through at the FARM Center or a short call? I will bring a simple one-pager.
Thank you, [Your name]
Name, organization, contact info
Who introduced you
Notes and next step
Follow-up date
Lead submission form
Activity report form
Contacts made this week
Meetings scheduled
Gifts or pledges
Help needed
Meeting tracker
Pipeline view by stage: Identified, Contacted, Meeting set, Ask made, Pledged, Closed
3-minute advocate orientation
How to make the ask
How to submit leads and track outcomes
Videos
One-pagers
Impact statement and talking points
Sponsorship menu overview
Donation options and Zeffy tip guide
Slides
5-slide deck for small group meetings
Short stories of impact from the market, the fair, and youth programs
Photos and logos for use in posts and slides
Testimonials from families, vendors, teachers, and sponsors
Advocate kit PDF
One-page campaign summary
Sponsorship menu
Event calendar
Brand assets: logo, colors, photo pack
Printable pledge card and QR codes
Campaign lead: Daniel Rothell, Executive Director
Donor and sponsor manager: Chidinma – tracking gifts, pledges, and thank-yous
Volunteer and vendor manager: Evelyn – volunteer sign-ups and assignments
General inbox: info@thefarmcenter.org
Be clear and honest. If you do not know an answer, say so and connect them to the team.
Keep private information private. Do not share donor details without permission.
Use only approved logos and photos in public posts.