Nonprofit Spotlight
October's Spotlight is on Willow Run Acres!
Willow Run Acres’ (WRA) mission is to combat food insecurity and diet-related diseases by providing fresh, nutritious food, and holistic education programs. Our vision is a future of equitable access to healthy food, sustainable farming, and empowered communities. Rooted in African American agricultural heritage, we promote growth, empowerment, economic stability, and environmental stewardship. We primarily children and families of color within walking distance of the WRA network farms and gardens. This is throughout Washtenaw and Wayne county of Southeast, Michigan.
Willow Run Acres provides access and opportunity for youth and adults of all ages and ability to grow food for themselves, contribute to our evolving community, and learn best practices on composting, food nutrition, animal eco-systems, and historical context for American agriculture. We are ever growing and always looking for great learners and contributors to help our efforts and community thrive.
Details
Events to support Willow Run Acres
WRA Routine Volunteer Days
September 28, 2025–
Join Willow Run Acres as a volunteer on Saturdays and Sundays from 4-7pm, weather permitting at their 9045 MacArthur Blvd location, click the link to find out more!
WRA Farmers Market
September 28, 2025–
Check out the WRA Farmers Market at 9045 MacArthur Blvd. Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (N. Harris and MacArthur Blvd) Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm | Wednesday 10am - 5pm (ALL WEATHER PERMITTING)
Connecting Fresh Produce
Willow Run Acres offers access to fresh produce at fair-food prices local to those within food deserts in South East Michigan. Brought to them directly or through installing farms within walking distance of their home, currently building 9045 MacArthur Blvd. for the Clay Hill Farm and Education Center. This is located on a bus-line as well as serving a community of over 400+ residents across the street.
Support Needed
Some of the best ways to support Willow Run Acres are through advocacy, volunteering, and donations.
Advocacy in support of the Willow Run Acres mission at Community Town Halls (Superior Township, Ypsilanti Township, Etc.) and sharing their cause with others in the community.
Volunteer (on Board of Directors, as a Grant Writer, administrative support as a Volunteer Coordinator and Recruiter, as a Financial Consultant, on-site labor to build or install plants) - check out routine volunteer days on Saturdays and Sundays at 9045 MacArthur Blvd in Ypsilanti from 4pm-7pm, weather permitting. Check out the link in the event panel for more info! Or go to WillowRunAcres.com/Volunteer to sign up for various opportunities!
Donations towards our Farmer's Market and Education Center building (to be located at 9045 MacArthur Blvd.)
WRA is also accepting specific contributions of:
Farm equipment / machinery
Compost Tea Maker 1,000 Gallon
Trailer (enclosed or open bed to transport produce and equipment)
Gas cards (most machinery and equipment requires gas)
Office supplies (computers, printing costs, etc.)
Why Zing Loves WRA
As a collection of mainly food businesses, we certainly know that access to healthy and fresh food is incredibly vital to a community. We admire the work that Farmer T.C. Collins and this organization has done for Ypsilanti including the surrounding communities. We are inspired by the mission of WRA through their teaching sustainability and bringing people of all walks of life together to learn, celebrate, and enjoy the joys of local, more personal farming. We urge you to find a way to connect with this organization, as we're sure that whether you go volunteer, go to understand more about produce, gardening, or farming practices, attend the farmers market to shop, or if you donate in some way, you'll discover some rewarding collaboration as well as ways to empower yourself and those around you.