It has been almost a week since I started this petition and I am both humbled and inspired by what has transpired in this time. As we approach 2500 signature and countless comments, I have drafted an email and sent it to the President of the University, The provost, The Dean and associate Dean of CALS. I plan to engage directly with any administrator who is willing to discuss how Cornell can keep this cornerstone of our community open.
On Friday afternoon I went and purchased a bag of Empire apples to show my support for the staff at the orchard store. I spoke with a few and it was made clear that they are very worried about their livelihoods and of the future for the orchard and store. It is very important that we keep the pressure on the administration and not let them forget we still care.
The local press has picked up our petition and written a few articles about the closing of the store that I really appreciate. I want to highlight one quote that I found to be very painful located here. “Cornell Orchards store is not covering its costs, and for an enterprise unit, that’s a big problem," said Mark Schrader, assistant director for Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station." This is highlights the biggest mistake of the institution. The University needs to change its prospective of the Orchard Store and remember that this is a teaching institution not a corporation to make money.
Again, I want to reiterate that I appreciate everyone's signature and I am hopeful for engagement from the University in the coming week.
Sincerely,
Simon Ingall
Shoppers Saddened as Cornell Orchards Closes Store
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2020/02/01/cornell-orchards-closes-store
Petition started to save Cornell Orchards Store