Unity Gardens Inc

REDUCING BARRIERS FOR DISADVANTAGED AND BEGINNING FARMERS IN GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI

THIS PROJECT WILL ASSIST IN CREATING JOB AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE FOR VETERANS IN GREENE AND WEBSTER COUNTIES IN MISSOURI. THERE IS A PRESSING NEED IN GREENE AND WEBSTER COUNTIES TO CONNECT UNDERREPRESENTED AND UNDERSERVED FARMERS WITH AGRICULTURAL CAREER SUPPORT. SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS (SCG), ALONG WITH A DIVERSE NETWORK OF PROJECT PARTNERS (MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION, WELLNESS FOR WARRIORS, AND AMERICAN LEGION POST 125) WILL ASSIST 50 VETERANS EMPHASIZING OUTREACH TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO RACIAL, ETHNIC, OR GENDER PREJUDICE BECAUSE OF THEIR IDENTITY AS MEMBERS OF A GROUP, WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL QUALITIES. SCG WILL PROVIDE MILITARY VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS IN GREENE AND WEBSTER COUNTIES WITH AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH EMPHASIS ON THOSE RESIDING OR RETURNING TO RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH A COMBINATION OF EDUCATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS, HANDS ON EDUCATION, AND INTENSIVE MENTORING OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS. THE PROJECT IS BASED UPON THE SCG FARMER ASSISTANT AND FARMER APPRENTICE MODEL THAT HAS SHOWN SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS AMONG LOCAL DIVERSE POPULATIONS. THE PROJECT WILL INCREASE TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBER AND VETERAN AWARENESS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM IN AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP; INCREASE THEIR UNDERSTANDING HOW THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE AND BENEFIT FROM THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SECTORS AND CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITIES IN RURAL AMERICA; CONNECT PARTICIPANTS TO USDA SERVICES AND RESOURCES; AND ULTIMATELY CONTRIBUTE TO RURAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.IN ADDITION TO COLLECTING INFORMATION ON THE ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY THE PROJECT, SCG WILL COLLECT DATA ON THE BENEFITS OF THE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AND KNOWLEDGE GAINED, THE IMPACT OF MENTORING ON SKILL BUILDING, AND TRACK PARTICIPANT PROGRESS WITH COACHING AND RESOURCES PROVIDED BY SCG STAFF.

TO INVEST IN THE OZARKS HERITAGE AND IMMIGRANT SPECIALTY CROPS WITHSOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS WITH THE ADDED SUPPORT OF CONNECTIONSTO CAREER SUPPORT NETWORKS AND RESOURCES

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP, COORDINATE, AND EXPAND LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO HELP INCREASE ACCESS TO AND AVAILABILITY OF LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF SMALL SCALE, UNDER-RESOURCED AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS IN THE REGION WHO OFTEN STRUGGLE TO COMPETE WITH LARGE SCALE PRODUCERS BY PROVIDING DIRECT LINES AND NETWORKS TO COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SALE OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON SUPPORTING THE PROCESSING, AGGREGATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND STORAGE OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS BY PROVIDING REFRIGERATED TRANSPORTATION, ASSISTING FARMS TO MEET INSTITUTIONAL BUYING STANDARDS AND PROVIDING INDIRECT PRODUCER TO CONSUMER MARKETING. SCG WILL SERVE AS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR THE PROJECT AND AS AN INTERMEDIARY ORGANIZATION TO BENEFIT SMALL FARM OPERATIONS SERVING LOCAL MARKETS. SCG IS ALREADY AGGREGATING FROM FARMERS AND THIS PROJECT WILL BUILD UPON THIS ESTABLISHED FOUNDATION. THE PROJECT WILL IMPACT AN ANTICIPATED NEW AND EXISTING 25 SCG NETWORK PARTICIPATING FARMERS PRODUCERS, 18 INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK BUYERS (INCLUDING ONE NEW ANTICIPATED LOCAL REGIONAL DISTRIBUTOR), 300 ADDITIONAL LOCAL REGIONAL FARMERS WHO WILL HAVE ACCESS TO INSTITUTIONAL FOOD SAFETY WORKSHOPS, AND 130,000 CONSUMERS REACHED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE THROUGH AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO PROMOTE LOCAL FOOD. THESE FIGURES, AFTER INITIAL PROJECT PILOT FUNDING, ARE ANTICIPATED TO GROW CONTINUALLY AND PRODUCE A PROJECT THAT IS SELF-SUSTAINING. THE BENEFITS TO FARM AND RANCH OPERATIONS SERVING LOCAL MARKETS INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN SALES, IN KIND MARKETING PROVIDED BY THE PROJECT, FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, AND A REDUCTION IN TRANSPORT COSTS.

PATHWAYS TO FARM CAREERS FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND VETERANS IN RURAL AND URBAN GREENE AND WEBSTER, MO COUNTIES

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS. THE RECIPIENT WILL EDUCATE AND EMPOWER BOTH THE UNDERSERVED AND DISPROPORTIONATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND/OR PUBLIC HEALTH HARMS OF URBAN AND RURAL GREENE COUNTY, MO AND SURROUNDING COUNTY NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES TO BECOME MORE ECOLOGICALLY DIVERSE AND PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION PRACTICES TO NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS, OWNERS OF SMALL SUSTAINABLE LANDHOLDINGS FOR MARKET FARMING, AND THE URBAN CORE AND RURAL FARMERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE PERI-URBAN ZONES OF TRANSITION. ACTIVITIES:THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY EXPANDING THE CURRENT 4-WEEK LEVEL I INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TO 90 PARTICIPANTS AND ADDING A SECONDARY INTERMEDIATE REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM TO THE TIERED TRAINING MODEL TO 18 ADDITIONAL BEGINNING URBAN AND RURAL FARMERS. THE PROJECT WILL FURTHER DEVELOP THE SCG TIERED TRAINING MODEL AND CURRICULUM AS WELL AS EXPAND OUTREACH METHODS TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY MEMBER KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL ON REGENERATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THAT WILL SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN THE CITY'S VISION AND GOALS. THIS CERTIFICATE WILL INCLUDE MORE INTENSIVE TRAINING AND IS INTENDED TO SERVE AS AN INTERMEDIATE TRAINING LEVEL BETWEEN THE 4-WEEK LEVEL I INTERNSHIP AND THE SCG APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. INCLUDING A 16-WEEL LEVEL II MENTORSHIP MODEL PRIMARILY IN THE FIELD ALONGSIDE THE SCG FARMERS. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY PROBLEM-SOLVING COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TARGET POPULATION. CREATE EFFECTIVE MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROVIDE EFFECTIVE OUTREACH TO THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY DISPROPORTIONATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND/OR PUBLIC HEALTH HARMS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE URBAN AND RURAL FARMERS RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT ALLOWS THEM TO INCREASE THEIR HOUSEHOLD/COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY BY 30% AS MEASURED BY WORKSHOP PRE AND POST CERTIFICATE. THE PROJECT FACILITATES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BUILDING THAT PROMOTES COMMUNITY COLLABORATION, FOSTERS FOOD SECURITY, AND PROMOTES LOCAL ECONOMIC RESILIENCE (INCLUDING DISASTER RESILIENCY). THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT ARE UNDERSERVED URBAN AND SURROUNDING AREAS IN GREENE COUNTY THAT ARE CONSIDERED RURAL ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE AND USDA. DATA FROM THE EPA'S EJSCREEN TOOL REVEALS THAT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONCERNS ARE A FACTOR FOR GREENE COUNTY WITH HIGHER ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INDEXES IN CENSUS TRACTS LOCATED IN LOW-INCOME.

SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS ZONE 1 FOOD PROJECT

SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS - HOSPITAL FARM PROJECT (SCG-HFP)

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** COMMUNITY FOOD HEALTH & EDUCATION CENTER

THIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON MEETING THE FOOD SAFETY TRAINING NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED, BIPOC AND UNDERSERVED FARMERS IN URBAN AND RURAL PORTIONS OF GREENE COUNTY, MO, AS THEY INITIATE AGRICULTURAL CAREERS AND ENTER PRODUCTION MARKETS.

SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS HOSPITAL FARM PILOT

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON MEETING THE FOOD SAFETY TRAINING NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED, BIPOC AND UNDERSERVED FARMERS IN URBAN AND RURAL PORTIONS OF GREENE COUNTY, MO, AS THEY INITIATE AGRICULTURAL CAREERS AND ENTER PRODUCTION MARKETS. SCG HAS MADE INTENTIONAL EFFORTS TO REACH OUT TO IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS IN GREENE COUNTY, MO INCLUDING THE BURMESE, HMONG, CONGOLESE, AND NEWLY ARRIVING AFGHAN COMMUNITIES TO INCORPORATE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE AND LINGUISTICALLY ACCESSIBLE TRAINING AND RESOURCES. WHILE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL AT FARMERS MARKETS AND OTHER CULTURAL MARKETS IN THE REGION REMAINS HIGH, LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL BARRIERS HAVE OFTEN PRESENTED SPECIFIC CHALLENGES WHEN BRINGING FOOD TO MARKET, SPECIFICALLY FOOD SAFETY AND HANDLING PROCEDURES THAT DIFFER FROM THEIR NATIVE COUNTRIES. NO OTHER FOOD SAFETY TRAINING EXISTS IN THE REGION FOR THESE POPULATIONS.MU EXTENSION, A LEADER IN REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL TRAINING AND RESOURCES, HAS SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDED FOOD SAFETY AND FSMA PSA TRAINING TO SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS IN THE PAST (SPECIFICALLY THE HMONG POPULATIONS IN RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE) AND WILL BE A PRIMARY PARTNER FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MU EXTENSION, THIS PROJECT WILL INCORPORATE FSMA PSA TRAINING INTO THE SCG FARM INCUBATOR TRAINING MODEL ALREADY IN PLACE, WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE BURMESE AND CONGOLESE POPULATIONS, BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF SCG TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATELY CUSTOMIZED FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO THE BIPOC AND BURMESE AND CONGOLESE POPULATIONS BOTH DURING THE GRANT TIMEFRAME AND AFTER THE GRANT TIMEFRAME.THIS PROJECT IS ANTICIPATED TO PROVIDE INTENSE TRAINING TO 100 TARGET POPULATION FARMERS OVER THE COURSE OF 24 MONTHS.

SUPPORTS PROJECTS TO DESIGN, DEMONSTRATE, AND DISSEMINATE PRACTICES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TEACHER TRAINING.

DESCRIPTION:THIS PROJECT PROVIDES FUNDING TO KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY GARDENS (KCCG) TO DESIGN, DEMONSTRATE, AND DISSEMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRACTICES, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA. THE GRANTEE WILL ENGAGE WITH ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT HOW: PLANTING AND MAINTAINING TREES REDUCES THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, CONSUMING LOCAL FOOD REDUCES EMISSIONS, AND MANAGING WITH NATURAL HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND METHODS (SUCH AS INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT) ELIMINATES HARMFUL CHEMICAL RUNOFF. ACTIVITIES:KCCG WILL DEVELOP AND DELIVER TEACHER ACTIVITY GUIDES, INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, AND TRAINING WORKSHOPS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS ORCHARDS PROVIDE. SUBRECIPIENT:KCCG WILL PROVIDE SUBAWARDS TO SCHOOLS FOR HIGH-QUALITY ORCHARD TOOLS TO SCHOOLS IN NEED AND SHOW THEM HOW TO USE THEIR NEW TOOLS. TOOLS MAY INCLUDE: HAND PRUNERS, PRUNING SAWS, LOPPERS, ORCHARD LADDERS, BACKPACK SPRAYERS, FRUIT POLE PICKERS, POLE PRUNERS, PLASTIC TREE BAFFLES, FORKS AND SHOVELS AND WHEELBARROWS. TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WILL LEARN HANDS-ON CARE OF SCHOOL ORCHARDS THROUGH TASKS, SUCH AS WATERING, MULCHING, BLOSSOM PINCHING, FRUIT THINNING, SPRAYING, AND PRUNING. WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS WILL LEARN ABOUT TOPICS, INCLUDING: NUTRITION, ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF TREES, SOIL BIOLOGY, AND TREE BIOLOGY. OUTCOMES:EXPECTED DELIVERABLE AND OUTCOMES INCLUDE: 1) TEACHERS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH RESOURCES TO LEAD STUDENTS IN EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING IN THE SCHOOL ORCHARD. 2) STUDENTS WILL INCREASE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE BY PARTICIPATING IN HANDS-ON CARE OF THEIR SCHOOL ORCHARD. 3) ADULT VOLUNTEERS FROM THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY WILL INCREASE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND PARTICIPATE IN CARE OF ORCHARD TREES. THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THESE ACTIONS WILL RESULT IN PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTANDING THEIR ORCHARD'S IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE, AIR QUALITY, AND WATER QUALITY OVER THE SPAN OF MANY YEARS, LEADING TO MORE INFORMED CHOICES AND ACTIONS. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA.

LONGMONT COMMUNITY GARDENS URBAN GARDENING EXPANSION PROJECT, LONGMONT, COLORADO 80501

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT, PARTIALLY FUNDED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, IS TO EDUCATE AND TRAIN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI COMMUNITIES TO BECOME MORE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL DISASTERS BY TEACHING SUSTAINABLE, ECOLOGICALLY DIVERSE, FOOD PRODUCTION PRACTICES TO NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS, OWNERS OF SMALL SUSTAINABLE LANDHOLDINGS FOR MARKET FARMING, AND THE URBAN CORE AND RURAL FARMERS IN THE COUNTY.ACTIVITIES:THE PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF: (1) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADVISORY BOARD AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETING MATERIALS; (2) PROJECT OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT (ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE ADVERTISEMENT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, PRINT, AND THROUGH EXTENSIONS OF PROJECT PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS); (3) FORMALIZING THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM CURRICULUM AND PROVIDING FREE, 4 WEEK EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR 28 TRAINEES; (4) AFTER GRADUATION, PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. AFTER TAKING THE INTERNSHIP COURSE, THERE ARE AVENUES FOR ADVANCEMENT AS AN SCG APPRENTICE, THEN AS AN ASSISTANT FARMER. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE; FOSTERING FOOD SECURITY FOR UNDERSERVED URBAN POPULATION AND RURAL FARMERS RESIDENTS IN URBAN COMMUNITIES AND INCREASING COMMUNITY MEMBER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT URBAN AGRICULTURE WHICH PROTECTS THEM AGAINST DISRUPTIONS IN THE FOOD SYSTEM (INCLUDING FLUCTUATIONS IN CROPS, PRICING, AND TRANSPORTATION). ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES CONSIST OF 4 WEEK INTERNSHIPS WITH 4 INTERNS PER COHORT THAT WILL OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT TIMELINE. SEVEN COHORTS WILL OCCUR PER YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF 28 INTERNS ANNUALLY. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR FARMERS. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN GREENE COUNTY, MO.

SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS: OUTREACH TO THE HISPANIC/LATINX COMMUNITY IN GREENE COUNTY, MO AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES

EMPOWERING FOOD-PRODUCING COMMUNITY GARDENING FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN URBAN KANSAS CITY

URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE YOUTH EDUCATION FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS TOWARDS RESILIENT, REGENERATIVE, COLLABORATIVE AND INCLUSIVE FOOD SYSTEMS

THIS PROJECT AIMS TO IMPROVE SOIL QUALITY, PROVIDE A RESILIENT ALTERNATIVE TO FOOD PRODUCTION AND REDUCE TOXIC PESTICIDES IN LOCAL FOOD.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

COMMUNITY FACILITY GRANTS

PATHWAYS

SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS HOSPITAL FARM PILOT