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Article Archives > Passing of Nancy Jones-Keiser Longtime MOFFA Board Member, Organic Acitivist, Educator, and Farmer


14 Oct 2009

JONES-KEISER - Nancy W. Jones-Keiser was born in Bucks County, PA in 1947 on a cattle farm and passed away on September 28 2009. A birthright Quaker, she was raised by her father and grandmother, after her mother passed on when Nancy was 1 1/2. This shaped her life in many ways. She handled farm and gardening tools, cared for farm animals and garden plants. As a young woman she raised 4-H animals, played field hockey and lacrosse - two sports she later officiated. As a young adult she completed hours beyond her Bachelors and Masters degrees in education, also receiving a NJ principal certificate. As an activist, Nancy also taught organics, food processing and storage - learned from her grandmother. In the 1970's, Nancy installed a solar water heater, wood stove and greenhouse to her home. In 1982, she spent five months in New Zealand studying their reading program and lived and worked as a woofer on organic and biodynamic farms. In 1984, she married Paul Keiser and their similar interests manifested community movement over a lifetime. Together they operated an organic produce distribution center and marketed produce for 30 growers, besides their own, from PA, DE, NJ and MD. Arriving in MI in 1997, they operated one of the first organic CSAs at the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science in Walker. Nancy was an Adjunct Professor at GRCC and Baker College. Throughout her life, she was active in farmers markets and she was at the Fulton Street Farmers Market. Nancy lived her many skills and abilities in a quiet way to teach and inspire. Nature was her haven. Besides many friends and associates, she is sorely missed by husband and mother-in-law, Paul and Jeanette Keiser. A memorial service is being planned for a later date. Please call Fulton Street Farmers Market for details. Donations can be made to Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance, POB 26102, Lansing, MI 48909 where Nancy had been a board member.

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