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Councilmember Kurak introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: <br /> <br />RESOLUTION #03-04-093 <br /> <br />RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF OLIVER KELLY FARM <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, The Oliver Kelly Farm has such historic significance that it was <br />designated a National Historic Landmark by the US Department of Interior's National <br />Register of Historic Places; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, On average, more than 14,000 school age children annually visit <br />the Oliver Kelly Farm to learn through interaction with staff and livestock how farming <br />was conducted in 1850; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, On average, an additional 13,000 adults visit the Kelly Farm <br />annually, contributing to the local economy; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, The National Grange has maintained an ongoing relationship with <br />the Minnesota Historical Society for 40 years regarding the Kelly Farm, a relationship <br />that has inspired national and international visitors to come to the Farm to learn about <br />Oliver Kelly and his family, the start-up of the National Grange Movement, and the <br />origins of agriculture in Minnesota; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, In the interests of authenticity, the Oliver Kelly Farm has <br />incorporated a unique historic livestock breeding, and crop and garden seeds program <br />that will be severely damaged once the site ceases to operate as a living history farm; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, The Oliver Kelly Farm is one of the oldest continually operating <br />family farms in Minnesota; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, Ramsey and surrounding communities, local school children, and <br />local members of the Minnesota Historical Society, will lose access to a locally and <br />nationally significant community resource, should the Minnesota Historical Society close <br />- even on a temporary basis - the Oliver Kelly Farm. <br /> <br />NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE <br />CITY OF RAMSEY, ANOKA COUNTY, STATE OF MINNESOTA, as follows: <br /> <br />1) <br /> <br />That the Ramsey Mayor and Council strongly encourage the Minnesota Historical <br />Society and the Minnesota Legislature to aggressively search for ways to continue <br />to fund the operations of the Oliver Kelly Farm Historic site, past the anticipated <br />closing date of July 1, 2003. <br /> <br />Resolution #03-04-093 <br />Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> <br />