3.4. SR 12-13-2004
Item # 3.4.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Stephen Rohlf, Building and Environmental Administrator
DATE:
December 13, 2004
51!..
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting the Kelley Farm
The Kelley farm is a historic, educational and economic resource for our community. As
you probably are aware, the Kelley Farm has been earmarked for closure due to state budget
cuts. For the past nearly two years, I have been involved with the Friends of the Kelley
Farm and their efforts to keep this important site open to the public.
The Friends have raised the $138,000 for the last two years that was needed to keep the site
from closing. However, we anticipate problems matching this effort in 2005. Maximum
effort will be put forth with the legislature to restore funding for the Kelley Farm in the next
state budget biennium.
Tbe City Council can aid the Friends of the Kelley Farm with their efforts at the legislature
by passing the attached resolution in support of the Kelley Farm. The Council passed a
similar resolution in 2003.
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
RESOLUTION 04-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR OLIVER KELLEY FARM
The Oliver Kelley Farm has such historic significance that it was designated a National
Historic Landmark hy the US Department ofInterior's National Register of Historic
Places, and
On average, more than 14,000 school age children annually visit the Oliver Kelley Farm
to learn through inter-action with staff and livestock how farming was conducted in
1850, and
On average, an additional 13,000 adults visit the Kelley Farm annually, contributing to
the local economy and enhancing Elk River's reputation as a destination, and
The National Grange has maintained an ongoing relationship with the :rvIinnesota
Historical Society for 40 years regarding the Kelley Farm, a relationship that has inspired
national and international visitors to come to the Farm to learn about Oliver K_elley and
his family, the start-up of the national Grange Movement, and the origins of agriculture
in NIinnesota, and
In the interests of authenticity, the Oliver Kelley Farm has incorporated a unique
historic livestock breeding and crop and garden seeds program that will he severely
damaged once the site ceases to operate as a living history farm, and
The Oliver Kelley Farm is one of the oldest continually operating family farms in
11innesota, and
Elk River and surrounding communities, ISD #728, local school children, and local
members of the Minnesota Historical Society, will lose access to a locally and nationally
significant community resource, should the Jvfinnesota Historical Society close - even
on a temporary basis ~ the Oliver Kelley Farm.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Elk River Mayor and Council strongly encourage the
:tvfinnesota Historical Society and the Mnnesota Legislature to aggressively search for ways to continue to
fund the operations of the Oliver Kelley Farm Historic site.
Passed and adopted this 13,h day of December 2004.
A TrEST:
Stephanie Klinzing, Mayor
Joan Schmidt, City Clerk
S:\B&E\STEVER\Kelley Farm\Kelley Farm Resolution.doc