Kalamazoo Farmers Market Unveils Don Cooney Cultivation Center

The new multi-purpose building at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market was named in honor of Don Cooney, a longtime city commissioner and community advocate. Beyond his civic leadership, Cooney is celebrated for his decades of service at Western Michigan University, where he taught social work and mentored countless students. His academic work emphasized social justice, poverty reduction and community engagement, aligning closely with his public service. The naming recognizes his dual impact—shaping policy in Kalamazoo and educating future leaders at WMU—making the building a symbol of community, education and equity.