A Year of Impact: 2025 in Review

Written by Mandy Krickhahn, Collective Founder & CEO // November 2025

As we wrap up 2025, I keep coming back to one word: grateful.

Grateful for this community, for the collaborations, and for the way people continue to show up. Even when things are hard and it would be easier not to, I’m grateful for the ones who do it anyway.

This year stretched us, taught us, and reminded us why this work matters. And we did it together.

A New Website and a New Chapter

This fall, we launched our brand-new website, a huge milestone that gives our members and community one central hub for events, resources, membership, news, The Current, and everything happening with TC. It’s clean, modern, and finally feels like us- a growing, community-driven network that’s built to support everyone who’s part of it.

And the timing couldn’t be better. As we head into year seven in 2026 (AHHHH!), this new foundation means more opportunities, more visibility for members, and more ways to collaborate.

Farmed and Forged: Community Impact at Its Core

2025 was a year defined by connection and purpose at Farmed and Forged. Across both cities, we watched families, vendors, and neighbors show up for each other in ways that mattered.

Two programs shaped the season:

Market Mamas, in partnership with the NWI Food Council, brought more families into the markets with education, support, and community connection around local food.

Curious Chefs added energy and joy, giving kids hands-on activities that made healthy food and farmers markets fun and accessible.

At the heart of it all was our SNAP and Triple Match Program, which continued to grow and put nearly $30,000 of fresh, local food directly into households throughout La Porte County.

Every SNAP transaction strengthens the entire local food system by supporting families, farmers, and our regional economy. Farmed and Forged continues to show that when a community invests in itself, real change happens.

Giving Back, Together

This year, The Collective Events, Inc. raised and donated thousands of dollars to local nonprofits, from youth programs and shelters to food access and community support initiatives. And last month, we hosted our first-ever giving market, which felt like the perfect way to close the year.

Across two locations, we welcomed around 200 shoppers, supported dozens of local vendors, and distributed 200 produce boxes to families impacted by the government shutdown and SNAP delays with help from Region Roots.

We also raised funds and collected hygiene essentials for The Salvation Army, who has been seeing record-high demand since COVID.

This market wasn’t just about shopping. It was about neighbors caring for neighbors, and that is exactly who we are.

Collaboration at the Core

If 2025 had a theme, it was collaboration.

We saw:

• Members expanding their businesses through new partnerships and pop-ups

• Members giving back through community initiatives

• Local businesses sponsoring programs and supporting the work we do

• Nonprofits teaming up with us for outreach and support

• New partnerships forming across La Porte County and beyond

This community thrives because people here believe in community over competition. That is what makes The Collective different. That is what keeps Farmed and Forged growing. That is what makes this work matter.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Year Seven

Seven. Freaking. Years.

It’s crazy to think this all started with a simple idea, and now it’s grown into something that has touched thousands of people across our region. This community has always had the heart, the ideas, and the drive to build something bigger than any one person.

In 2026, we are focusing on: 

• More member opportunities 

• More ways to support small businesses 

• Strengthening our food access programs 

• Growing Farmed and Forged even further 

• New collaborations that uplift our region 

• Continuing to build a community where everyone feels welcome

The Collective has always been about people, and year seven is shaping up to be full of the kind of work that reminds us why we started in the first place.

Thank You

This community is special because of the people in it. The dreamers, the doers, the creators, the helpers, the makers, the farmers, the small business owners, the volunteers, and every person who believes that local change matters. Here’s to closing out 2025 strong and stepping into 2026 with purpose, connection, and a whole lot of heart.

We’ll see you in the new year 🖤

MANDY KRICKHAHN

Founder & CEO // The Collective