Draft Proposal for Green and Growing Initiative

Steve Bosserman's picture

Green and Growing Initiative Draft Proposal "Quick Start"

Community Need:
Key components for Community Urban Farming “Green and Growing” in Columbus, Ohio are human and social capital which includes personal development, wellness, environment management, and economic development.  Youth programming is a major focus engaging 200 children, ages 5 – 19 years, in personal development, wellness, and environment management through 4-H projects – horticulture, beekeeping, money management, food preparation, and nutrition. Besides youth development, another goal is community economic development which is twofold:

  1. Make use of vacant properties
  2. Provide jobs in two Columbus communities, Linden and Mount Vernon.  

Educational Activities for Youth Participants and Adult Mentors are:

  1. Planting and maintaining a vegetable garden.
  2. Preparation of fresh fruit and vegetables.
  3. Healthy eating and physical activity practices following the food guide pyramid.
  4. Engagement of physical activity through gardening.
  5. Management of personal finance.
  6. Development and implementation of entrepreneurship skills.

The community participants, adults and estimated 200 youth, will be involved in planting, weeding and watering plants, they will learn soil cultivation, composting, fertilizing and community research/outreach.  Program responsibilities include:

  1. Scheduling participants to work 2-3 days a week 3-5 hours per day
  2. Understanding the importance of growing food and how to transplant plants that to other locations due to lack of water, sun, etc.

Urban Farming Project Outcomes

Urban Farming Project Goals:

  1. Educating youth on project ownership which is key to building stewardship. Youth involved will learn “connective processing” and how nurturing small plants become edible food.
  2. Youth and adults exposure to economic development by becoming producers and actively engaged in the market system rather than practicing consumer skills only. 

 Short-term Objectives:

  1. Increase knowledge of raising food produce including vegetables, herbs, and fruits.
  2. Youth and their families will prepare and eat more fruits and vegetables.
  3. Youth will be able to correctly identify 30 vegetables, herbs, and fruits.
  4. Area food pantries and farmers markets will have increased inventory of fresh produce: vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

Medium-term Objective:
Youth and their families will develop healthy living and eating practices.

Long-term Objective:
Improved health outcomes when compared to other communities without intervention

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urban ag proposals

karen goodheil's picture

As I review this proposal.  I find that it is very similar to proposals submitted to 4 Seasons City Farm.  Many budget items are over inflated.  I paid $11 for my 55 gal rain barrel not $250,  275 gal containers are available for $50 on Craig's list.  There are also too many middle men wanting large consulting fees who aren't part of the community the project is proposed for.  We find at $ Seasons, Simple is better.  A few well chosen/ well trained people are the most important factor in making such projects work for the long term growth.  Part time jobs at @8 to $15 an hour with well spelled out duties are a must.  Drip irrigation systems are recommended over unsupervised watering by volunteers.  Hope this helps anyone interested in starting a community garden for market applications.  kareng