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City Administrator’s Corner <br /> Friends of local history, gardening, and sustainable <br />agriculture will note the recent passing of former City <br />employee and local farmer Bruce F. Bacon, age 76, who <br />Growing Our Community <br />passed away at his home, the more than 100-year-old <br />By Kurt Ulrich, City Administrator <br />Crandall-Keillor family farm in Ramsey. Bruce retired <br />- <br />Inspector, Fire Warden, and Environmental Special- <br />ularly fortunate to have a safe and prosperous communi- <br />ist. Bruce was described in a recent obituary posting <br />ty. However, as more and more people choose to make <br />as “. . . an organic farmer who built the soil, managed <br />Ramsey their home, what are the expectations for us, as a <br />woods and prairie, and made Garden Farme a mecca <br />City, as we continue to grow? <br />for students, interns, environmental groups, as well as <br />Like any successful community, Ramsey faces the <br />musicians and hundreds of friends, for nearly 50 years.” <br />question of how much growth is good for the communi- <br />ty. Ultimately, Ramsey is projected to be about 35,000 <br />state, Bruce established organic product sales to grocery <br />by the year 2040. As we grow, the City will continue <br />to add recreational facilities and other amenities that <br />was fortunate to hear a presentation Bruce made at our <br />Ramsey Rotary regarding the careful and complex work <br />will also build more retail, service, and restaurant busi- <br />that he has done on the Garden Farme since moving <br />nesses that people desire. On the other side, more people <br />there in 1970. He shared his vision that the farm would <br />farm would continue to be a learning community that <br />would teach the value of local, small-scale, sustainable <br />agriculture. <br />minimizing the challenges of being a popular place to <br /> We are fortunate that, like many in our community <br />live. <br />today, Bruce was a person that respected the past and <br />had a true concern for future generations. Keeping <br />the community’s rural character. Part of that character <br />aspects of a rural character and preserving the best from <br />comes from planning for a variety of open spaces, wheth- <br />our City’s past is what will continue to make the City <br />er it be in one of more than thirty City and two regional <br />a high quality place to live, work, and play for years to <br />parks, dedicated conservation easements, or over 4,000 <br />come. <br />large private lots that make up the community. Our City <br />plan recognizes that many people settled in Ramsey to <br />Our Mission: To work together to responsibly grow our <br />be in close proximity to wildlife, natural resources, and <br />4-wheeling, snowmobiling and horseback riding. <br />Historically, most of Ramsey was once family-owned <br />farmsteads. While only a few large farms remain, many <br />residents enjoy using their large lots to cultivate their <br />gardens for those that don’t have convenient space to <br />plant their own. If you’re interested in reserving a garden <br />Fuel Rewards <br />plot, it’s not too early to mark your calendar to consider a <br />Earn fuel discounts when <br />you shop with us! <br />community garden next year. In addition, for those that <br />like to get together with other gardeners, the Ramsey <br />Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month, <br />7900 Sunwood Drive NW, <br />- <br />Ramsey, MN <br />munity-related projects throughout the year. <br />(763) 576-6821 <br />4Ramsey Resident • November/December 2017 <br />