Positive Growth (DRAFT 2 FOR CLASS EDITS)
Contact: Patricia Fried
EIN#: 59-2308721
pfried@tampabay.rr
Telephone: 727-894-311
Fax: 727-822-1591
Mt. Zion Community Center
925 20th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Proposed Project:
The mission of the Mt. Zion Community Center is to empower individuals and families by providing social and economic services that emphasize a self sufficient, productive and nurturing family environment. The children who will participate in the “Positive Growth Club” are members of the Community Center.
The “Positive Growth Club” environmental project is being put into effect to foster empowerment and ownership in the children. Club members will learn the importance of preserving the environment. They will be empowered by having a positive influence on nature. This will provide them with the knowledge that they as individuals can affect nature by working collectively towards a shared positive goal. Through their participation in this club, the children will develop gardening skills, knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating, and organic fertilization methods.
The 12-16 students will range in age from 1st to 5th grade. The children will be using an outside area comprised of 21 x 21 feet in size to grow vegetables of their choosing. Each child will be responsible for their individual 1 x 1 foot plot in the garden and will monitor the growth of their plants. When the plant is harvested, the children will be able to cook it at the community center and bring home the meal to share with their families.
In 2 sentences, what one or two things do you hope to accomplish?
Positive Growth will empower children by providing interaction with their environment. This will provide them with a greater sense of community, stress the importance of nature, agriculture, and sustainable eating, and enable them to have ownership in their community.
Budget:
|
Item
|
Quantity
|
Cost
|
|
soil
|
4 yards
|
124.16
|
|
children’s sized gloves
|
20 pair
|
80.00
|
|
fertilizer
|
50 lbs.
|
26.95
|
|
plant stakes with cards for plant names
|
20
|
donation
|
|
organic pest control products and plants
|
2 5 lb. bags
|
8.00
|
|
Chicken wire
|
1 roll
|
20.00
|
|
seeds
|
miscellaneous
|
donation
|
|
stakes for tomato plants
|
10
|
donation
|
|
border for partitioning growing areas
|
|
|
|
organic feral animal repellant
|
25 lb.
|
20.00
|
What will you do before, during, and after the project is completed to ensure that the youth involved have learned from the experience:
In the beginning of the project, the children will participate in a lesson plan covering soil preparation, seed planting, watering, and sunlight needs before they even break ground on their plot of land.
As children begin to plant their seeds they will engage in lessons covering weeding, pest control, composting, fertilization, and disease prevention. Children's interest in nature and their own individual plant will be nourished by daily visits to the garden. The children will make scientific journal entries to record the growth and changes in their plant, along with notes regarding what methods are working with their plant (i.e.; how much water is too much, and measurements depicting their plant's growth in comparison to like plants in the garden. They will also track the seasonal changes, growth, and progressions of each plant.
After harvesting, continuing education will take place regarding seasonal responsibilities, replanting, and plant rotation. The children will learn about the benefits of organically grown food and eating sustainability. Lessons along with the cultivation will provide a tangible, realistic experience involving food preparation at the Mt. Zion facility.
Children will also have the benefit of taking home their harvested fruits and vegetables to their families. After their plant has been harvested, the students will participate in lessons covering the nutritional value of their crops. These lessons will reinforce the student's growing knowledge of the importance of nutrition and eating healthy. The growth of the plants themselves are a concrete measurable growth of the students' learning experience.
One of the goals of this club is to give children ownership of their garden. Each child in the club will have their own one foot by one foot plot of land for planting a seasonal fruit or vegetable of their choosing. Giving students a feeling of ownership and responsibility will encourage active participation. Lesson plans have been designed to teach students different aspects of planting, growing, nurturing and harvesting plants. The children will be able to take home their harvested food and will learn how to cook healthy dishes in the center’s kitchen.
What other sources of funding do you have available to cover costs not funded by the Captain Planet Foundation?
The “Positive Growth Club” is partnering with Willow Tree Garden Center, a local gardening and landscaping company. The garden center has offered free supplies, as noted in the above budget, as well as 10% off of any further supplies the club should require. Not only has the garden center agreed to provide the needed supplies for the club, but they have also offered their time to help in the beginning stages of tilling the land.
The “Positive Growth Club” is also receiving time and funding from the Mt. Zion Community Center’s volunteers and monetary resources. The community center itself receives funding from outside donors, such as the city of St. Petersburg and the Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church.
Positive Growth (DRAFT 1)
Contact: Patricia Fried
EIN#: 59-2308721
pfried@tampabay.rr
Telephone: 727-894-311
Fax: 727-822-1591
Mt. Zion Community Center
925 20th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Proposed Project:
Mt. Zion is a faith based community center located in our city's most economically challenged area. The after school program is designed to enrich the lives of the children by providing a safe environment that promotes responsible citizenship.
The children will be using an outside area 21 x21 feet in size on which to grow vegetables for the use of the Mt. Zion community. The age group included will range from 1st to 5th grade and will be comprised of 12-16 students. The project is being put into effect to foster an environment of empowerment and ownership for the children who are part of the Positive Growth Club. Through their participation in this club, the children will develop gardening skills, knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating, and organic fertilization methods.
In 2 sentences, what one or two things do you hope to accomplish?
Positive Growth hopes to educate children about their impact on the environment, the importance of nature, agriculture, and sustainable eating. The club will also empower children by providing them with a greater sense of community.
Budget:
|
Item
|
Quantity
|
Cost
|
|
soil
|
4 yards
|
124.16
|
|
children’s sized gloves
|
20 pair
|
80.00
|
|
fertilizer
|
50 lbs.
|
26.95
|
|
plant stakes with cards for plant names
|
donation
|
free
|
|
organic pest control products and plants
|
2 5 lb. bags
|
8.00
|
|
weed tarp
|
|
|
|
seeds
|
donation
|
free
|
|
stakes for tomato plants
|
donate
|
free
|
|
border for partitioning growing areas
|
1 roll chicken wire
|
20.00
|
|
organic feral animal repellant
|
25 lb.
|
20.00
|
What will you do before, during, and after the project is completed to ensure that the youth involved have learned from the experience:
Before breaking ground on their own individual patch of earth, the children will participate in a lesson plan covering soil preparation, seed planting, watering and sunlight needs. An overall lesson on native flora of Florida will be introduced. As children begin to plant seeds, they will engage in lessons covering weeding, pest control, composting, fertilization, and disease prevention. Childrens' interest in the garden and their own individual plant will be nourished by daily visits to the garden. In addition,, scientific journal entries will be made to record the growth and changes in their plant, along with notes regarding what methods are working with their plant; i.e.; how much water is too much, and measurements depicting their plant's growth in comparison to like plants in the garden. They will also track the seasonal changes, growth, and progressions of each plant. Continuing education will take place regarding harvesting, seasonal responsibilities, replanting, and plant rotation. After harvesting, the children will learn about the benefits of organically grown food; a tangible, realistic experience involving food preparation at the Mt. Zion facility.
Children will also have the benefit of taking home their harvested fruits and vegetables to their families. After their plant has been harvested, the students will participate in lessons covering the nutritional value of their crops. These lessons will reinforce the students' growing knowledge of the importance of nutrition and eating healthy. The growth of indvidual plants is a concrete measurement of the students' learning experience.
One of the goals of this club is to give children ownership of their garden. Each child in the club will have their own one foot by one foot plot of land for planting a seasonal fruit or vegetable of their choice. Giving students a feeling of ownership and responsibility will encourage active participation. Lesson plans have been designed to teach students different aspects of planting, growing, nurturing and harvesting plants. The children will be able to take home their harvested food and will learn how to cook healthy meals in the center’s kitchen.
What other sources of funding do you have available to cover costs not funded by the Captain Planet Foundation?
American Tree Service will provide technical assistance and horticulture lessons. We also have access to volunteers from the Mt. Zion community who can provide equipment to maintain the garden. We are reaching out to local organizations for funding and have expectations of receiving 'in kind' funds from Willow Tree Garden Center of St. Petersburg. Dennis Wickham, owner and operator of Willow Tree has agreed to donate all seeds, plants and stakes for the project. Also, he will provide a 10 percent discount on all other purchases from Willow Tree. in addition to monetary support, Dennis has also offered helpful gardening tips that will benefit the initiation of the project.
Grant:
Title: Positive Growth
e-mail:
945 20th St. S. St. Pete. 33712
The Mt. Zion Community Center's mission statement states; "Mt. Zion Human Resource Center's mission is to strengthen individuals and families by providing scoial and economic services that emphasize a self sufficient, drug free, productive and nuturing family environment." The group will be comprised of members from the Community Center.
The children will be using an outside area comprised of 21 x21 feet in size on which to grow vegetables for the use of the Mt. Zion community. The age group included will range from 1st to 5th grade and will be comprised of 12-16 students The project is being put into effect to foster an environment of empowerment and ownership for the children who are part of the Positive Growth Club. Through their participation in this club, the children will develop gardening skills, knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating, and organic fertilization methods.
Positive Growth hopes to educate children regarding their impact on the environment, the importance of nature, agriculture, and sustainable eating. The club will also empower children by providing them with a greater sense of community.
Question 4:Before breaking ground on their own individual patch of earth the children will participate in a lesson plan covering soil preparation, seed planting, watering and sunlight needs. An overall lesson on native flora of Florida will be . As children begin to plant seeds they will engage in lessons covering weeding, pest control, composting, fertilization, disease prevention. Children's interest in the garden and their own individal plant will be nourished by daily visits to the garden. Journal entries will be made to record the growth and changes in their plant, along with notes regarding what methods are working with their plant; ie; how much water is too much, and measurements depicting their plant's growth in comparison to like plants in the garden. They will also track the seasonal changes, growth, and progessions of each plant. Continuing education will take place regarding harvesting, seasonal resposibilites, replanting, plant rotation. After harvesting the children will learn about the benefits of organically grown food; a tangible, realistic experience involving food preparation at the Mt. Zion facility. Children will also have the benefit of taking home their harvested fruits and vegetables home to their families. After their plant has been harvested the students will participate in lessons covering the nutritional value of their crops. These lessons will reinforce the student's growing knowledge of the importance of nutrition and eating healthy. The growth of the plants themselves are a concrete measurable growth of the students' learning experience.
One of the goals of this club is to give children ownership of their garden. Each child in the club will have their own one foot by one foot plot of land for planting a seasonal fruit or vegetable of their choosing. Giving students a feeling of ownership and responsibility will encourage active participation. Lesson plans have been designed to teach students different aspects of planting, growing, nurturing and harvesting plants. The children will be able to take home their harvested food and will learn how to cook healthy dishes in the center’s kitchen.
Business name of the tree removal service: American Tree Service, Incorporated, Todd Luikart, Owner/Operator. We also have access to volunteers from the Mt. Zion community who can provide equipment to maintain the garden. We are reaching out to local organizations for funding and have expectations of receiving 'in kind' funds from various local businesses and Home Depot. City of St. Petersburg will provide free mulch.
Soil, 20 pair of children sized gloves, fertilizer, plant stakes with cards for plant names, organic pest control products and plants, weed tarp, seeds, stakes for tomato plants, border for particioning growing areas, organic feral animal repellant
Feb. 13...__Willow Tree Garden Center Becomes Community Partner:__ Today, I spoke with Dennis Wickham, owner/operator of Willow Tree Garden Center on 49th Street North, St Pete. Dennis agreed to become a community partner for the Positive Growth Grant project and offered some valuable suggestions on how to help make the project successful. In addition to suggestions about how to reduce cost, Dennis offered to donate all seeds, plants and stakes for the garden as well as offering a 10% discount on any item we purchase from Willow Tree. He also gave me the name and number of Larson's garden supply in St Pete so we could price soil. For our plot, which is 21' by 21', Dennis estimated that we needed 4 yards of soil. He believes Larson's offers the best potting soil in the city at a reasonable price. The soil is rich in nutrients and very good for our sandy terrain. Also, Dennis' expertise helped a great deal because he was able to eliminate certain project products we initially felt we needed that he said were unnecessary. For example, he told me that a tarp was not necessary because weeds would find their way through the soil atop the tarp. Also, he suggested that we do not use any weed repellant because it is very harmful to the crops. As an expert, he never uses weed repellant for an edible garden, but only for shrubbery around a home. Dennis believes that the children will benefit from hand weeding and it is the best method for preventing weeds from choking the vegetation. As for animal repellant, Dennis led me to Bloodmeal, which is a popular product that he carries in his store. Bloodmeal will help deter some feral animals, but he said that we should also use chicken wire to keep some pesky vermin away, such as armadillos and rabbits. Cats should not hurt the garden, according to Dennis, as they mostly use gardens as an outdoor "litter box" because the soil is very inviting. Possums can be a big problem, but the chicken wire should deter them. Armadillos are the biggest concern because they tend to rut, like a hog. We should line the outside of the garden with Bloodmeal to help keep the garden safe. As for insects, Dennis suggested sulphur. He believes this is the best, most natural insect repellant and fits in nicely with our organic model. Everything we need, except for the soil which we can purchase from Larson's, is available at Willow Tree. The small gloves are very feminine, which little boys may not want to wear, but we may be able to convince them that the flower design signifies the garden they are helping to build. I'm not sure if this will be an issue or not, but Dennis thought it may be. We can discuss this in class. On a side note, Dennis says that if we get a tax ID, we will not pay taxes and we will still receive the 10% discount. The prices will be as follows:
4 Yards of Soil from Larson's: 124.16 (They will deliver to the property)
From Willow Tree(prices do not include 10% discount, but this discount will be available)
Organic Pest Control Sulpher: 8.00 for two 5 lb. bags
50 lb. bag fertilizer: 26.95
25 lb. Bloodmeal animal repellent: 20.00
20 pair children's size gloves: 80.00
all plants, stakes and seeds: free donation
From Home Depot
Chicken wire: 1 roll approximately 20.00
Tina Stagliano
727-896-7560
tinastagliano@hotmail.com
Maria Escott
727-420-8452/727-539-8420
Craig Byrne
813-480-9490
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