Zeytoonian Center Kicks Off 2010 Fund Raising for Farm Aid with Eco-Friendly Tote Bag Drive

Wellesley Hills and Westborough, Mass. – July 22, 2010 – The Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution LLC, a center that offers alternatives to resolving disputes in court, has initiated the first of the organization’s two 2010 fund raising efforts in support of Farm Aid, an organization that works to increase the awareness of family farms. The funds raised will support organic, sustainable farming practices and education.

The Center’s first drive, perfect for summer and fall activities, is the distribution of eco-friendly canvas tote bags.  Available for a suggested donation of $10 each, the 21 1/2" x 16" x 7" canvas boat totes are 100% natural-tone organic cotton with navy contrast straps and bottom, and feature a pocket imprinted with the Farm Aid logo to show your support for a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. The bags, which also feature a Velcro® closure and hideaway brass key clip, retail elsewhere for up to $25.

The Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution and Farm Aid have worked together to design and produce the bags, and the Center’s team and strategic partners are distributing them.  All net proceeds will benefit Farm Aid.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. A nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land, Farm Aid has raised more than $37 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture.

“At The Zeytoonian Center, we believe in and support social enterprises and causes like Farm Aid,” said Michael Zeytoonian, the Center’s founder and director.  “Our Center shares with Farm Aid the philosophy of doing good works, offering our services in a sustainable model that benefits those we serve,” he continued.  “Our goals are similar: Our organization urges a client-centered approach over a profit-making model; we offer a cost-effective, time-efficient means of dispute resolution which minimizes the drain on our clients’ resources and emotions, and prevents damage to their relationships and organizations. So it is natural for us to support a strong, resilient, sustainable family farm approach to agriculture that is very much in line with our own philosophy and approach.”

“We are so pleased that the Zeytoonian Center is donating proceeds from sales of our Farm Aid shopping bag,” said Carolyn Mugar, Executive Director of Farm Aid. Our signature Farm Aid bags are terrific for shopping at farmers markets.”

The bags can be obtained and arrangements made to have them delivered by contacting the Zeytoonian Center at (781) 489-2270 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Leslie Drohan of Boldbrook Marketing of Westborough, Mass. at 508-836-4300 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by visiting the Holy Cow Creamery at Grafton Crossing, 135 Westborough Road, North Grafton, Mass.

“I bought two of the Farm Aid bags for several reasons,” said Catie Foertsch of Westborough, Mass. “First, the quality of the bags is excellent – heavy-duty canvas, good carrying capacity, very handy for groceries, the beach, etc. Second, they support a good cause. Farm Aid helps family farmers stay in business, and we should all be supporting small, local farms. My sister Trish is an organic farmer in Framingham, and so I have an integral connection with a local farm and the hard work farmers do every day so we have food to eat. Third – the price is terrific. I bought one for me and one to give to my son. And now that I think about it, a couple more to give at the holidays is a great idea!”

This fall, the Zeytoonian Center will be sponsoring a second fundraising event for Farm Aid, tentatively scheduled for International Conflict Resolution Day, which takes place on October 21, 2010.  The fall event will also be co-sponsored by the Wellesley Hills law firm of Hutchings, Barsamian, Mandelcorn & Zeytoonian, LLP.

About Farm Aid
For 25 years, Farm Aid has worked to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farmed food. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $37 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms. For updates about “Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America,” visit www.farmaid.org and follow Farm Aid at www.twitter.com/farmaid.


About the Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution, LLC
The Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution provides legal and dispute resolution services that are preventive, proactive, efficient and collaborative. Its early intervention services work proactively to help clients anticipate problems that arise in organizations and put policies, procedures and training programs in place to engage, manage and diffuse problems and prevent them from escalating into disputes or claims. Utilizing the talents of lawyers, mediators, expert consultants and coaches, the Center’s dispute resolution services are designed to efficiently offer the kind of advocacy that protects clients’ rights, educates them on the best approach to their dispute, and helps them achieve a resolution that satisfies their interests. The Center has offices in Wellesley Hills and Westborough, Mass.

For more information, please visit http://www.zeytooniancenter.com, read founder Michael Zeytoonian’s blog, “Dispute Resolution Counsel: A Forum for Alternative Dispute Resolution Ideas,” at http://www.disputeresolutioncounsel.com/ or contact the Zeytoonian Center at (781) 489-2270.



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Media Contact:
Leslie Drohan
Boldbrook Marketing for
the Zeytoonian Center for Dispute Resolution
Phone: 508-836-4300
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