Tree Canada: Planting Fruit & Nut Trees for the Community

All applications must be received by February 28, 2012.
Final Reports and projects must be completed by September 30, 2012.

The purpose of the Edible Trees program is to offer funding of up to $4,000 and other resources for community-based projects that provide residents with access to fresh fruit and nut trees while making a positive difference to the Canadian environment including:

Provide shade
Absorb and deflect solar radiation
Improve air quality
Absorb and filter water
Create habitat for wildlife

Funding is available, but not limited to, community gardening groups, community housing projects, schools, parks and arboretums.

Tree Canada will consider projects that meet the following criteria:

Increases equitable access to healthy food

Strengthens communities by empowering neighbours to share in the harvest and care of city-grown food resources

Benefits the local community by providing access to the trees and their fruit by the public ( i.e. food banks, volunteers, community kitchens)

Meets the needs of the community and includes creative plans for the produce grown

Takes place within a geographic area suitable for growing fruit and nut trees

Protects and preserves the Canadian environment

Assists residents in understanding and participating in environmental activities in local communities.

See more here.

“My annual letter this year is an argument for making the choice to keep on helping extremely poor people build self-sufficiency.” Bill Gates

For Christina and other small farmers—and for hundreds of millions of extremely poor people living in slums in big cities—getting food is the most pressing daily concern. And food is strongly connected to another constant worry: basic health. The lack of adequate nutrition is a key reason why poor children so often die of diseases like diarrhea that richer and better-fed children are able to fight off. Poor nutrition in childhood also prevents the development of both the brain and the body, severely and irreversibly limiting children’s ability to grow, learn, and become healthy, productive adults. Ultimately, there is very little in Christina’s life—or her children’s lives—that doesn’t depend on her cassava crop.

Farming is a great example of something critical to the poor that gets very little attention in rich countries. Back in the 19th century, the majority of people in the United States worked in agriculture. Now less than 2 percent of the workforce is involved in farming, and less than 15 percent of U.S. consumer spending goes to food. Farming issues rarely make the news. The exceptions are when food is contaminated, when government subsidies are being debated, or when there is a famine like the current one in the Horn of Africa.

See 2012 Annual Letter From Bill Gates here.

USDA Expands People’s Garden Initiative to Sow Seeds for Community-Based Agriculture across the Country

News Release – USDA
Washington Nov 10, 2011

Projects were funded in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan and Ohio. Grants were awarded to:

Homer Soil and Water Conservation District, Alaska, $110,500
Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona, Arizona, $5,000
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, California, $29,000
Denver Urban Gardens, Colorado, $70,000
Knox Parks, Inc., Connecticut, $50,000
Heritage Ranch, Inc., Hawaii, $110,500
Alliance for Community Trees, Inc., Maryland, $150,000
Towson University, Maryland, $60,000
Calhoun Conservation District, Michigan, $70,000
Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Ohio, $70,000

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2011–Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited a community garden in Baltimore today to announce 10 grants to support 155 People’s Gardens in neighborhoods from Maryland to Hawaii, continuing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to combat malnutrition while supporting local and regional food systems. These sustainable community gardens will give residents direct access to fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved neighborhoods. A lack of access to fresh and nutritious food fuels obesity and domestic food insecurity—a condition where households experience limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

“The simple act of planting a garden can help unite neighborhoods around a common effort and inspire communities to find solutions to challenges facing our country—from hunger to the environment,” said Merrigan. “The People’s Garden Initiative has demonstrated that one direct and effective way of improving food access is to plant a garden. Since establishing our People’s Garden Initiative, we’re excited to see more and more people working together to create nurturing communities around these sources of nutritious food.”

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) manages the People’s Garden Grant Program (PGGP), with funding from the Agriculture Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The grants announced today, totaling $725,000, are the first awards given under the PGGP. USDA received more than 360 proposals requesting more than $4 million.

PGGP was designed to invest in urban and rural areas identified as food deserts or food insecure areas, particularly those with persistent poverty. In addition, PGGP seeks to address health issues closely related to malnutrition, including food insecurity, obesity, diabetes and heart disease, through onsite education programs.

Projects were funded in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan and Ohio. Grants were awarded to:

Homer Soil and Water Conservation District, Alaska, $110,500
Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona, Arizona, $5,000
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, California, $29,000
Denver Urban Gardens, Colorado, $70,000
Knox Parks, Inc., Connecticut, $50,000
Heritage Ranch, Inc., Hawaii, $110,500
Alliance for Community Trees, Inc., Maryland, $150,000
Towson University, Maryland, $60,000
Calhoun Conservation District, Michigan, $70,000
Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Ohio, $70,000
The People’s Garden Initiative is a grass roots effort to grow healthy food, people and communities. There are more than 1,400 People’s Gardens across the nation, three U.S. territories and nine foreign countries. USDA is working with over 600 local organizations to create school gardens, community gardens and small-scale agriculture projects in urban and rural areas, collectively referred to as community-based agriculture.

People’s Gardens are located at faith-based centers, on federal leased or owned property, at schools and other places within communities. All produce grown at a People’s Garden on USDA owned or leased property is donated to help those in need. To date, the People’s Garden has donated over 1 million pounds of produce to local food banks, food kitchens and other charitable organizations through their ‘Share Your Harvest’ campaign, whereby USDA invites partners to share their harvests with neighborhood food pantries, kitchens and shelters, which helps improve access to healthy, affordable food at a local level. Search the People’s Gardens Interactive Map to find out where our gardens are located. To learn more or to register your community garden as a People’s Garden, visit www.usda.gov/peoplesgarden.

See news release here.

See The People’s Garden Initiative here.

Breaking New Ground

By Nevin Cohen And Kubi Ackerman
New York Times (Mark Bittman)
November 21,

Excerpts:

New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently funded three new urban agriculture projects: a rooftop garden at a settlement house, a vegetable garden near the Gowanus Canal and a commercial rooftop farm atop a Brooklyn Navy Yard building. These projects are part of an innovative green infrastructure program to turn impervious roofs, vacant lots and streets into spaces that soak up the rain and prevent water pollution. Supporting urban farms and gardens as a means of keeping our waterways clean is an excellent idea, and should be dramatically scaled up.

DEP’s green infrastructure program represents a unique opportunity for New York City to substantially expand its already robust network of urban farms and community gardens while simultaneously tackling the CSO problem. There are nearly 2,000 acres of vacant land in the areas contributing to sewage overflows, mostly impervious surfaces. There are also thousands of buildings that could support rooftop farms. Interest in growing food locally is at an all-time high, and gardeners, farmers, entrepreneurs, and farming organizations would jump at the chance to have access to additional space to farm. In locales such as the Bronx River watershed, in which CSO problems coincide with limited food access, the benefits to the environment and to public health would be substantial.

Read the complete article here.

See New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection here.

Garden Grant Application Available Online, Due Dec. 23, 2011

Press Release
Oct. 25, 2011

Burpee Home Gardens(R) is now accepting applications for the 2012 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award. In its third year, the “I Can Grow” program continues to support urban school and community gardens in cities across the United States. To date, the “I Can Grow” program has provided more than 8,000 vegetable and herb plants to help create 16 gardens nationwide.

Two grand-prize winners will be awarded up to 500 vegetable and herb plants, including the Burpee BOOST collection, and $2,500 in garden supplies. They also will receive on-site assistance for initial garden layout and installation from the experts at Burpee Home Gardens, 5 gallons of Daniels(R) Plant Food, one hose-end sprayer and a Flip Video(TM) camera to document the garden’s progress throughout the year. In addition, three runner-up winners will receive 500 vegetable and herb plants, including the Burpee BOOST collection, 5 gallons of Daniels(R) Plant Food, one hose-end sprayer and a Flip Video camera.

Read the complete article here.

The Butler Campus Farm (established in 2010) will serve as the city’s pilot urban farming “Hub.”

Mary Ellen Stephenson
Butler University
July 29, 2011

Butler’s Center for Urban Ecology (CUE) has received a $230,000 grant from The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, to strengthen urban farming and renewal efforts in Indianapolis. The CUE grant was the largest individual award from a total $1.2 million in grants announced on July 27 and given to 17 Indiana nonprofit organizations.

Payable over three years, the grant also represents the largest gift Butler University has ever received from The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

“We’re thrilled that, with the support of the Pulliam Trust, we will be expanding our operations down at the Butler Campus Farm to optimize the site for environmental education, allowing us to serve local schools and neighborhoods,” said CUE Director Tim Carter.

Working with Butler’s College of Education, the CUE will provide six interns to three local schools to integrate sustainable agriculture into the schools’ science curriculum, based on the practices at the Campus Farm. One of those schools will be Shortridge Magnet High School for Law and Public Policy, developed and operated in partnership by Indianapolis Public Schools and Butler.

With grant funding, the CUE also will promote urban agriculture through an annual convention and a celebration of local food culture in Indianapolis. The first convention, FoodCon II, will take place at the Harrison Center for the Arts on Friday, Sept. 2.

Finally, the grant will support the CUE’s efforts to lead community stakeholders in developing a master plan for urban agriculture in the Indianapolis. “We’ll be exploring the economic feasibility of small-scale urban agriculture and partnering with the growing community of urban farmers in Indianapolis,” Carter said. “The plan will integrate social, environmental and economic programming, reflecting CUE’s holistic view of urban ecology as ‘ecology for the city.’ ”

The Butler Campus Farm (established in 2010) will serve as the city’s pilot urban farming “Hub.” Envisioned throughout the community, Hubs will be designated focal points for public education, farmer training, soil remediation and other aspects of an urban agricultural system.

Butler’s acting president, Provost Jamie Comstock, said the Butler Farm exemplifies quality education “The Butler Way.”?

“The Farm engages our students, faculty, and staff with schools and civic organizations to make a local impact,” Comstock said. “Through this creative collaboration, led by the CUE and Tim Carter and supported by the generosity of the Nina M. Pulliam Charitable Trust, we can work together to enrich urban farming and city renewal and encourage others to do the same.”

The Center for Urban Ecology was founded in 2004 by faculty and staff in the Department of Biological Sciences, with the aim of becoming a national leader in the exploration, stewardship, and enhancement of urban ecosystems.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust seeks to help people in need, especially women, children and families; to protect animals and nature; and to enrich community life in the metropolitan areas of Indianapolis and Phoenix.

Link to Butler Campus Farm site here.

“Tainted” dollars?

By Michele Simon
Grist
Sept. 19, 2011

Excerpt:

Last week, retail behemoth Walmart announced a $1.01 million donation to Milwaukee-based Growing Power, a well-known urban farming nonprofit, whose founder Will Allen has gained many accolades for his hard work to bring local, healthy food to low-income areas.

So far the online debate over Growing Power taking this funding is predictable: Some defend it for pragmatic reasons, while others deplore the move, either because they don’t like this particular company or they think all corporate money is evil. However, this donation cannot be viewed in such a narrow context. There is a pattern here that spans decades. By partnering with a group that could otherwise be one of its staunchest critics, Walmart is taking a page right out of the Big Tobacco playbook: buying silence.

Read the complete article here.

A note from Will on corporations and the Good Food Revolution

By Growing Power on Thursday, September 8, 2011

I appreciate that our friends have shared their honest opinions and feelings with us. I’d like to take this opportunity to share my position on the role that corporations can play in the Good Food Revolution.

The First Lady has brought national attention to our country’s poor health, poor eating habits and poor food quality with her “Let’s Move” program. Now that this issue is in the national spotlight, we are using the momentum she’s created to take the next steps forward in improving overall food quality and quality of life for all people. We, as a society, can no longer refuse to invite big corporations to the table of the Good Food Revolution. Poverty, foodlessness, joblessness: these are problems we all face. They are not only the problems of the poor or of the urban – they are everyone’s problems.

Wal-mart is the world’s largest distributor of food – there is no one better positioned to bring high-quality, locally grown food into urban food deserts and fast-food swamps. We can no longer be so idealistic that we hurt the very people we’re trying to help. Keeping groups that have the money and the power to be a significant part of the solution away from the Good Food Revolution will not serve us. At the same time, by accepting grants like these we retain the power for how corporate money is spent, and the grassroots movement stays grassroots.

Thank you for your continued support of the Good Food Revolution, and please keep your eyes open for more announcements from me and Growing Power. This is an exciting time to change the world.

See Growing Power on Facebook here.

Also see:

“Growing Power Takes Massive Contribution from Wal-Mart: A Perspective on Money and the Movement” on Civil Eats” here.

“Urban farms and gardens are feeding the world – one inner city at a time”

Submission deadline: September 30, 2011

Nature’s Path is giving $65,000 in urban garden grants this year through its Gardens for Good contest. North American non-profits and registered charities are eligible to apply ( 2 winners to be crowned in the US and 1 in Canada) and anyone can vote. With the grant comes technical assistance for their Organic Program Manager, Dag Falck and the team at Organic Gardening Magazine.

“Because we believe that urban farming and gardening are models of sustainability that can help make fresh, organic food available to everyone, we’re putting our money where our heart is and are giving grants to 3 deserving non-profits who demonstrate a passion and vision for fresh, organic food.”

See more here.

And here.

Whole Kids Foundation™ Taking Root With School Garden Grant Program – To be considered, applications must be received by 5pm CST, December 31, 2011.

AUSTIN, Texas. (Aug. 17, 2011) — Whole Kids Foundation in partnership with FoodCorps is now accepting online grant applications for its first major initiative, the School Garden Grant Program, which will be funded by a six-week, in-store donation drive at all Whole Foods Market stores, and online at wholekidsfoundation.org, from Aug. 17 to Sept. 30.

Created to help schools grow students’ relationships with food through gardening, the new program stems from the nonprofit’s mission of supporting schools’ efforts to improve children’s nutrition.

Through the Whole Kids School Garden Grant Program, the Foundation and partner FoodCorps will offer $2,000 grants, along with curriculum, resources and mentorship, to 1,000 schools. FoodCorps’ expertise in gardening, and its ongoing support will help schools build and sustain their gardens to ensure long-term success. All schools and garden-related nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for grants to support the launch or expansion of school gardens.

“The School Garden Grant Program makes nutritious foods and healthy-eating education relevant and exciting for kids, and it extends learning outside the classroom,” said Walter Robb, Whole Foods Market co-CEO and Whole Kids Foundation board chairman. “Gardens are such a magical place. As kids see plants growing and coming to life and they realize that food doesn’t come out of a box or off a truck, but that it comes out of the ground from a seed, it makes relationship between food and nourishment real.”

More details here.

New Land Grant for Urban Living

By Melanie Grayce West
Wall Street Journal
March 15, 2011

Excerpt:

Developing a plan for the future of urban farms in New York City is the focus of the Five Borough Farm project through the New York nonprofit Design Trust for Public Space.

The organization was recently awarded $90,000 from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to work with organizations throughout the city to develop a map, quantify the many benefits of urban agriculture and develop a set of recommendations on how the city should support urban agriculture activity.

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, established in 1996, primarily supports the arts, the environment, medical research and the prevention of child abuse. One of the key areas of importance to the foundation is the recognition that 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas. “Activities that take place on urban land are just critical in supporting the health of our environment, everything from clean water and air to biodiversity,” says Edward Henry, president of the foundation.

The decision to fund the Design Trust for Public Space project “is because there is no hard data about the real effects of urban agriculture. Whether it’s on economics, health or qualitative issues about the environment,” says Mr. Henry.

Read the complete article here.

“We’re getting some really smart people to help us as we move our urban agriculture system to the next level”

By Karen Herzog
Journal Sentinel
March 9, 2011

Excerpt:

IBM will announce Wednesday that Milwaukee is among 24 cities worldwide to receive a Smarter Cities Challenge grant, which will give the city access to top IBM experts and technology to potentially expand local, cutting-edge urban agriculture efforts around the globe.

The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants, valued at about $400,000 apiece, are aimed at helping cities improve one aspect of city life. Issues addressed by winning cities include health care, education, safety, social services, transportation, communications, sustainability, budget management, energy and utilities.

More than 200 cities in 40 countries competed for the 24 grants. IBM plans to award a total of $50 million worth of technology and services to 100 municipalities worldwide over the next three years.

“We’re getting some really smart people to help us as we move our urban agriculture system to the next level,” Mayor Tom Barrett said Tuesday. “They’ll do a systems analysis as to how to grow this to a larger economic scale.”

The grant specifically will look at how water management and aquaculture intersect, and whether there’s a sustainable economic model in Sweet Water Organics, an urban fish and vegetable farm that mimics the Earth’s natural ecosystem in an industrial building in the Bay View neighborhood. Harnischfeger Industries once used the building to make mining cranes.

Read the complete article here.

See IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant website here.

Applications for the United Way of New York City’s Seed Grant Fund due November 24th!

For 2010-2011, Seed Grant funds are targeted at urban farming initiatives in New York City. Funding can be used to transform unused or “under-used” land to vital, food-producing spaces or to expand an existing urban farm. In either case, the urban farming initiative fit within the applicant’s general scope of community services and assist in the expansion of community outreach services related to nutrition education and wellness. In the project proposal, applicants must clearly explain how an urban farm fits within their scope of work and how this funding will directly benefit the intended target population.

Application guidelines and application are available. In addition, United Way has compiled a Resource Guide with a list of partner organizations/urban farming consultants with expertise in growing food and related programming, along with other informational resources and FAQs will assist applicants in developing their project proposal.

See applications here.

Throughout September’s Organic Harvest Month Bonterra Engages Individuals to Raise Awareness and Funds for Sustainable and Urban Farming throughout the US

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sep. 13 /CSRwire/ – As one of the world’s leading producers of wine made from organically grown grapes, Bonterra is partnering with Growing Power, an organization focused on providing communities with healthy foods, to raise awareness and funds for urban farming. The partnership begins with an online fundraising campaign where Bonterra will donate $20,000 to local urban farming organizations in as many as 10 cities with the goal of turning this investment into $100,000 during organic harvest month.

To kick-off its year-long partnership, Bonterra and Growing Power are joining forces to promote urban farming in communities across the country via the Campaign for Urban Farming. Wine lovers and urban farming fans can help their local farms fund critical projects by donating to the four-week fundraising campaign, powered by Global Giving (www.globalgiving.org). $20,000 in prizes will be awarded to the local community farms that raise the most dollars and also engage the most individual donors.

“At Bonterra, we believe people everywhere should have access to sustainable, healthy, and true food. It’s why since 1987 we have been crafting award-winning wines from organic grapes,” said John Tichenor, Bonterra brand director. “We’re proud to partner with Growing Power as our goal is to not only raise funds for these urban farming organizations, but to also help engage people across the country in the urban farming movement so these local groups can grow and produce more food for their communities.”

The success of both Bonterra and Growing Power is linked to the power of true, organic soil. Bonterra is committed to organic farming and is a great partner to share Growing Power’s message of bringing healthy food to all communities. Bonterra, which literally means “good earth” uses only organic practices in growing its grapes – no synthetic pesticides or chemicals are used in its farming. Similarly, Growing Power, who’s dedicated to creating a food-secure community, focuses on composting, the soil, and natural farming practices. Both Bonterra and Growing Power share the belief in bringing the true nature of food.

“A take-away message that we are hoping people leave the conference with is the idea that it takes more than farmers to get Good Food to the table,” said Will Allen, founder and CEO of Growing Power.

“It takes a commitment from all types of organizations and businesses. Bonterra is a wonderful example of a corporation that is not only committed to building our Good Food Revolution, but is backing it with financial support. We are proud to partner with Bonterra, and our other corporate partners who share similar philosophies.”

The Campaign for Urban Farming recognized the participating farm organizations at the Growing Power National-International Urban & Small Farm Conference on September 10, 2010 where representatives from each of the selected organizations were in attendance. Hosted by Growing Power and Will Allen, the conference taught attendees how to plan, develop and grow small farms in urban and rural areas. Sustainable agriculture is a surging trend in the U.S. and both Bonterra and Growing Power aim to further expand this movement. Statistics show that 84% of Americans want access to fresher, safer foods, which is the ultimate goal of the urban farming initiative. Bonterra and Growing Power’s Campaign for Urban Farming takes place September 10, 2010 through October 10, 2010. To donate, visit www.bonterra.com.

Press release here.

By Menberu Kitila
Ethiopia, Jimma – University
Email: kitilamenberu@yahoo.com.uk

Currently I am working as the head of the environmental protection and urban agriculture office in Jimma city in Ethiopia. Jimma city is 350 km. from the capital city of the country (Addis Ababa).

Also, I am a student(Msc.) of Horticulture (vegetable crop production) in Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM).
My thesis research also deals with the UA activities (specifically tomato production) in the Jimma area.

Jimma city is one of the biggest cities found in the country and, more than 200,000 people are living here. It is the place where Coffee Arabica originated.

I have been working in an agricultural organization for many years as the assistance veterinarian, artificial inseminator, expert, team leader and office head for rural and urban areas.

From my experience and educational outlook I am interested in developing the potential of UA in Ethiopia in three cities starting with Jimma city as the first phase.

Urban Agriculture (UA) has become a contemporary issue, gaining prominence especially in developing economies, because it has been discovered to be a viable poverty intervention strategy for the urban poor.

The presence and potentials of UA in Ethiopia especially in the big cities is not in doubt. Evidence from an UA office report in Jimma city verified the fact that UA is thriving and sustaining a large population of unemployed and employed people in Jimma and it is the same for other cities in Ethiopia.

However, for a long period of time policy makers and government have deliberately neglected this important sector and have failed to acknowledge it and channel attention to it.

But, currently the positive contributions of UA have encourage them to re-design and incorporate the production of horticultural and cereal crops, livestock, fodder and even building materials in the city’s master plan.

However there has been no economic research undertaken in general or specific market-oriented production including its agro-practices and supplemental food self consumption afforded by UA to households, which can help to better understand the economic and social performance of UA and its comparative advantages over other supply sources, both at the producer and consumer level.

Unfortunately there is very little or no information on the farming practiced and contribution of this sector to poverty reduction and food security in the urban and peri-urban areas in the country.

Having these concepts in mind I will try to assess all important points that can be used to highlight the potential, constraints and prospects of UA in Ethiopia (Jimma).

The major objective of this assessment is

Improving the benefit of urban farmers and the city’s population. (IBUFACP)

The specific objectives are:

1. To highlight the UA potentials and constraints to its development so as to capitalize on the potentials and integrate it into the city system in a more viable and sustainable way.

2. To undertake participatory evaluation of crop management innovations;
local knowledge of urban agro-ecologies and strengthen producer capacity for social organization for improved marketing and other objectives.

3. Determine the gender specific constraints in urban and peri-urban agriculture; and devise strategies for efficient peri-urban farming and transfer of the knowledge gained in Jimma to other urban areas in Ethiopia.

4. Produce a preliminary list of current farming activities in the urban and peri-urban areas of Jimma city and assess the current levels of utilization of the produce.

5. Explore the socio-cultural aspects of urban farming such as extent of poverty, food security and gender differentiation.

6. To ensure the development of a production system that results in the production of healthy fruits and vegetables and use of biodegradable chemicals to minimize air, water and soil pollution.

7. To form city networks in international agencies, as well as NGOs to acquire fund and share experiences and training opportunities for the sustainable services.

The study will be contact Municipalities, Universities, UA offices, Agricultural and Rural Development offices, the Ministries of Water and Health, Social Services, Environment and Tourism, input supply enterprises, government and private banks, Gender issue organizations and other related institutions.

The research will have a detailed desk study prior to the field study which will be collected data in Jimma city using a detailed questionnaire.

A total of 325 respondents from male and female will be interviewed. The information will be collected include household demographic data, socio-economic and migratory characteristics, urban agriculture practices and the scale of the activities, the characterization of the agricultural production system at the farm level, data related to land use practices, crop, and livestock management practices.

How much of the harvest was sold in the previous year and this will be converted into a financial figure, household incomes and expenditures and other important points.

The collected data will be analysed using a SAS statistical package.

The data will be collected by a total of six enumerators, one coordinator and one supervisors working with the three consultants (one from JUCAVM, one from municipality (city administration) and one from donor organization).

See the complete project proposal here.

Contact:
Menberu Kitila
Email: kitilamenberu@yahoo.com.uk

$100,000 gift helps feed needy – Grant to WSU nourishes urban gardens, other food resources

Darren A. Nichols, The Detroit News
October 17, 2008

Efforts to feed the needy in Detroit with locally grown produce got a $100,000 boost on Thursday from a Ford Motor Company grant.

Wayne State University officials said the money will support the school’s Sustainable Food Systems and Engagement in Detroit (SEED) program. It will aid ongoing efforts to establish urban gardens and other sustainable food resources at Wayne State and throughout Detroit.

Efforts to feed the needy in Detroit with locally grown produce got a $100,000 boost on Thursday from a Ford Motor Company grant.
Wayne State University officials said the money will support the school’s Sustainable Food Systems and Engagement in Detroit (SEED) program. It will aid ongoing efforts to establish urban gardens and other sustainable food resources at Wayne State and throughout Detroit.

Read the Detroit News article here.

Visit the extensive Seed Wayne website here.

Heifer International based in Little Rock, Arkansas, funds many urban agriculture projects. I counted 22 including: Revision House Urban Agriculture Project, Dorchester, MA; East New York Farms! Brooklyn, NY; The City Farms, New York, NY; God’s Gang Planting Dreams Fish and Worm Project Chicago, IL; Growing Home Urban Farm, Chicago, IL; Somali Bantu Refugee Food Security, Training and Community Building Project, Portland, OR; and Birmingham Urban Gardening Society Community and School Garden Project, Birmingham, AL.

“From rooftops to vacant lots, Heifer International’s Urban Agriculture program is growing goodness, changing lives and building communities in the heart of North America’s big cities. Heifer supports grassroots organizations that help communities reclaim and support local food systems.”  

See Heifer’s urban agriculture projects here.

They also produced a 42-minute video documentary on urban agriculture, titled “Seeds, Hope & Concrete.”

See a clip from the video.

And read more about the video.

Who is Heifer International?

“Heifer International was founded on a simple belief: ending hunger begins with giving people the means to feed themselves. Today, 9.2 million families in more than 125 countries move toward self-reliance through the gifts of livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture.”

“Jan. 25, 2008 – Heifer International today announced a four-year $42.8 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fund a project to help poor rural farmers in East Africa double their incomes by increasing their production of high quality raw milk to sell to dairies.”

“As of December 31, 2006, the Foundation’s assets and commitments total over $82.5 million, with an endowment of $38.9 million; $23.8 million in trust and annuity funds; and gift commitments totaling more than $19 million.”

“Since 1944, Heifer International has provided struggling families a way to become self-reliant for food and income.  Through the gift of livestock and training, a family can obtain milk, eggs, wool and other income-producing benefits to feed, clothe and educate their children.  Each gift multiplies because every family that receives a Heifer animal promises to “pass on the gift” by giving one or more of their animal’s offspring to another family in need.  Heifer International currently supports projects in more than 50 countries, including the United States, that create sustainable small-scale farm enterprises to improve nutrition and increase family income.  Local community groups conceive and manage Heifer International projects, empowering them to solve their own problems and equipping the next generation to face challenges successfully.”

Heifer Urban Agriculture Stories.

Home-Grown Training in Chicago.

A Growing Trend: Farming Moves to the Big City.