Ferndale Acorn Donations Sent to Feed Pigs on Michigan Small Farms
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 28, 2025)
Ferndale, MI – Normally an autumn nuisance, acorns and walnuts dropped on the lawns of Ferndale and neighboring cities have been put to good use this year, serving as feed on pig farms.
Two pickup trucks’ worth of nuts were collected on Oct 12. People came from near and far with bags and boxes of nuts to donate. The effort was organized by councilperson Laura Mikulski, who has made connections in the local farming world through her advocacy for backyard chicken ordinances. The donations were picked up by Founding Farms, which is a collective of small farmers throughout SE Michigan.
Mikulski organized the collection so the nuts would not go to waste. “When suburbs collect and share nuts like acorns and walnuts with local farms, they’re turning yard waste into food security & income for small farms. What might have been raked up and discarded becomes a resource that supports small-scale agriculture, strengthens regional food systems, and reconnects neighborhoods to the cycles of nature,” she said.
There are no more collections planned at this point for this year. Future years will depend on the need and availability. This year was a “mast year,” which happens every few years when walnut and acorn trees in an area produce a larger amount of seeds.
Learn more about Founding Farms at https://www.facebook.com/people/Founding-Farms/100063511721091/
