Fund raising will be conducted in the near future for the Mercer County Conservation District since they were given a thumbs-up for non-profit status.

After two public meetings last year to help define the district's role in the community as an agricultural learning center, the decision was made to create a non-profit entity -- The Munnell Run Farm Foundation Inc.

"It only took 2è months to receive word. I was expecting it to take six months," said James Mondok, manager of the conservation district.

Annually, the county-owned district receives about $11,000 from the county budget, in addition to paying the salaries of seven employees and helping out with special projects such as building repairs or the purchase of farming equipment.

But the ability to raise money outside of county funding will help the district renovate and expand the present buildings, which would include better office and education facilities and add public restroom facilities.

"The next step is to design some kind of fund-raiser," said Mondok. "We recently hired HHSDR (Architects/Engineers of Sharon) to look at the buildings and to embark on a feasibility study. They're going to analyze the buildings that are here to see what kind of infrastructure is going to be needed and what kind of costs we're looking at here."

Once there is a dollar figure and some documentation of why they need the money, the district can begin the process of applying for grants from foundations and grantors, Mondok said.

"What I'm hoping to get is some concept drawings from HHSDR by the time we have our harvest festival in the fall," said Mondok, adding that they may coincide their fund-raising kickoff date with the festival.

"That would be a good time for people to learn more about us," he said.