By Caitlin Nearhood, university intern
Kerry Bush, a Bluffton University senior graphic design major, wants to promote Fair Trade businesses in Bluffton. She hopes to create a Fair Trade Buyers Guide for shoppers to look through and use as a reference for Fair Trade products and businesses in Bluffton.
The project is a requirement for her independent study class for her major.

What is "Fair Trade?" Read explanation at bottom of story.

“I’ve always wanted to help the community in some way,” said Bush, a long-time Bluffton resident. “I like the support system in Bluffton.”

Recently, Bush began a fundraising campaign to fund the cost of printing her project on Indiegogo.com, a website that helps people fundraise for their cause. Due to lack of donations, she decided to close the campaign.

Bluffton has a long tradition offering fair trade products. It is the first community in Ohio to receive fair trade community designation.

“Some helped with donations, and Wendy Chappell-Dick is helping me connect with businesses to gain support.”

Bush said that she would start the campaign up again the day of the interview (March 31) as this article will serve as publicity for the campaign.

As it is a semester-long project, Bush hopes to finish the project in May and posted online as well as at least two print versions in mid-May also, if enough donations develop.
Bush also gave advice for interested community members.

“People can raise awareness,” she said. “Tell business owners that we’d really like fair trade business to be promoted here. There is more business with fair trade than not, and a Fair Trade guide would help brand Bluffton to get more business.” 

Persons wanting more information about Fair Trade in Bluffton may contact Bush at [email protected].

Link to Bush’s campaign on Indiegogo- https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fair-trade-bluffton-buyer-s-guide

Original fair trade businesses in Bluffton:
• The Food Store
• Common Grounds
• Ten Thousand Villages
• Bluffton University
• Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center
• Lamar Nisly
• First Mennonite, St. Mary’s Catholic and English Lutheran churches in Bluffton.

Working on offering fair trade products at:
• Mustard Seed Cafe
• Community Markets
• Bluffton/Findlay KOA
• The Black Lab
• and possibly a flavor for Shirley's Popcorn.
Fair trade wine and flowers will hopefully be offered in Bluffton, too.

So, what exactly is Fair Trade?
According to fairtradeusa.org, fair trade involves “…products that bear our logo come from farmers and workers who are justly compensated. We help farmers in developing countries build sustainable businesses that positively influence their communities. We're a nonprofit, but we don't do charity. Instead, we teach disadvantaged communities how to use the free market to their advantage. With Fair Trade USA, the money you spend on day-to-day goods can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives.”

In general, Fair Trade is about “Quality Products. Improving Lives. Protecting the Planet.”

Link to Fair Trade website: http://fairtradeusa.org/what-is-fair-trade