South Central Community Action Program

1500 W. 15th Street

Bloomington, IN 47404

(812) 339-3447

City of Bloomington Department of Economic & Sustainable Development

2013-2014 Sustainability Partnership Grant Final Report

1) SUMMARY OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES The Sustainability Partnership (SUPAR) grant allowed SCCAP to generate publicity and attention for the Growing Opportunities project. SCCAP installed indoor demonstration gardens in two locations- 1) the SCCAP main office where administrative staff and four Head Start classrooms are located, and 2) Stone Belt, which provides residential, educational, employment services and mental health supports for adults with developmental disabilities. In December 2013 at SCCAP, we installed a hydroponic system in the Head Start lobby that grows leafy green vegetables without soil in recirculating water with the generous assistance of experts from Worm’s Way. When Head Start students returned in January 2014, we planted our first batch of seedlings with the help of one classroom of 19 students. We placed the seedlings in a south-facing window, but due to cloudy winter days, the seedlings did not get enough light. For the second batch of seedlings, we utilized our T5 fluorescent grow light to ensure the seedlings got enough light. After about 30 days of growth, we transplanted seedlings into the hydrotable. Once in the hydrotable, the plants took off and we were able to harvest in early April, approximately 60 days after planting seeds. The same 19 students worked with their teachers to harvest a variety of lettuces and Swiss chard. A total of 30 heads of vegetables were harvested and made into salads. Approximately 90 salads were made and consumed by 38 students over the course of a few days. In addition, the hydrotable has been replanted by Head Start teachers and students, and will continue to be in use beyond the grant period. We installed a second indoor garden and lights at SCCAP inside one Head Start classroom using earth boxes, which are self-watering planters. The planters and lights have been set up, but have not been planted yet. The teachers plan to grow a variety of vegetables here. At Stone Belt in early March, we installed a hydrotable and lights in one of their recreational areas accessible by all visitors and clients. In late March, SCCAP trained Stone Belt employees on how to use the hydrotable. Stone Belt had trouble starting a first batch of seeds but has planted another batch that is well on its way to being transplanted. Stone Belt plans to grow a variety of herbs including basil, cilantro, rosemary, and parsley to use in their culinary classrooms. Multiple clients will be assigned various routine tasks to care for the plants. We have included photos of project participants in the appendix at the end of the report.

2) PROJECT EVALUATION People served

• All of Head Start’s 75 3-5 year old students in this building and their parents have access to the garden and the produce harvested. Income eligibility for Head Start students is being at 100% of the federal poverty guideline. Some parents helped plant the second batch of seedlings.

• Stone Belt serves adults with developmental disabilities. 15 clients are involved in planting the vegetables and herbs in the hydrotable. 30 clients take a culinary class that use the produce to learn how to make new nutritious recipes and provide samples to an additional 30 clients. The hydrotable is located in a free-flow cafeteria, where at least 50 clients eat and relax every day. In sum, at least 125 Stone Belt clients will benefit from the hydrotable on an ongoing basis.

Lighting • We purchased the Pioneer VIII Bloom, 8 Tube Fluorescent Fixture as recommended by

Worm’s Way for all of the indoor gardens because they efficiently cover the growing area of the hydrotables. Running 18 hours on, 6 hours off to duplicate natural sunlight, these fixtures use 432 watts. The fixtures provide steady, high intensity, low-heat light that is safe for plants and for people working on the gardens.

• Using these lights, we were able to harvest heads of Swiss chard and lettuce in approximately 60 days, which is the typical time it takes to harvest these crops when grown in soil outside. We are confident we will be able to shorten the time to harvest in our next crop as we master hydroponic growing methods.

• We shared this information to the public in an article (http://www.insccap.org/news/55) posted to the front page of the SCCAP website and linked to the article from our Facebook page.

Energy Use • Fluorescent lighting is more energy efficient than incandescent lights. LED lighting would

have been an even better option for low-energy use but they were cost prohibitive. Curriculum

• The curriculum used for the growing process included learning hydroponics vocabulary, discussing favorite vegetables, seed starting, measuring and observing plant growth, harvesting, and preparing produce for meals.

Impacts on SCCAP’s Growing Opportunities Project • The demonstration gardens made it possible for Growing Opportunities to meet several

goals. Project staff used this opportunity to practice hydroponics growing methods on a small scale before moving into a greenhouse. Hydroponics has a steep learning curve, and this SUPAR grant allowed us the time and venue to familiarize ourselves with the unique methods and equipment. At first, we suffered some slight pitfalls caused by leaky parts and finicky digital timers, but these learning opportunities were critical to the success of the larger greenhouse project.

• We found a new supporter in a local business called Worm’s Way, where we purchased much of our equipment at a 20% discount. Worm’s Way also generously donated

several items and time training our staff and installing equipment (as noted below in the expenditure report).

• The SUPAR grant garnered greater support for Growing Opportunities as grant funders and community partners were able to see tangible product of our programming. Since submitting the SUPAR grant application, we have since received an additional $100,000 grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, a $20,000 grant for staffing from the Community Foundation and a 10-year intent to lease agreement from the Monroe County Commissioners for 3 acres of land at the former Thomson site, where at least two greenhouses can be located. Without this demonstration project, we would have been unable to show these supporters how we intend to run our job training program in our greenhouses.

• In addition, SUPAR grant helped develop and strengthen the relationship with Stone Belt, which is crucial to the long-term success of Growing Opportunities. During the process of installing the hydrotable at Stone Belt, the staff leaders of this organization identified a potential location at Stone Belt for the first Growing Opportunities greenhouse. This will hopefully be an extremely important and valuable step forward for the project.

3) EXPENDITURE REPORT

• For your convenience, we have written a brief description of the purchases. Please also find the attached receipts and invoices In the appendix at the end of this report.

• The largest single expense was a $1,500 consulting fee to Arthur and Friends. • We used a large portion of the grant funds to purchase the following equipment items:

hydrotables, T5 fluorescent lights, light timers, rope ratchets, reservoirs, and construction materials for building light stands.

• We used a smaller portion of the grant funds to purchase the following supplies: oasis cubes, liquid nutrients, various seed packets, seed starting trays and humidity dome, measuring pitchers, manifold, net pots, adhesive putty, cord, and rubber bands.

• Below we have listed in-kind contributions from SCCAP and Worm’s Way. • We request $3,696.89 for reimbursement from the City of Bloomington.

SCCAP In-Kind ContributionProject Development Manager hourly wages 30 $18.00 $540.00Head Start Teacher hourly wages 10 $15.00 $150.00SUBTOTAL $690.00

Earthbox 4 $61.00 $244.00Soil Mix 1 $51.50 $51.50liquid nutrient FloMicro 1 $36.50 $36.50liquid nutrient FloGro 1 $32.00 $32.00liquid nutrient FloBloom 1 $32.00 $32.00Advice and set up hourly wages 30 $10.00 $300.00SUBTOTAL $696.00

Worm's Way In-Kind Contribution

4) CONFIRMATION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Throughout the demonstration project, SCCAP gave credit to the City of Bloomington Department of Economic & Sustainable Development in promotion, publicity, and advertising. In the appendix, we have provided screenshots of the credit given to the Department demonstrated on the Growing Opportunities Facebook page. We also created an 11x17” poster for the indoor hydroponic gardens that prominently displays the Department logo and explains that the project was made possible by the SUPAR grant funds.

Appendix 1: Project Photos

Figure 1. Roger Emmick, manager of the Bloomington Worm's Way retail store, helps us install equipment at Head Start.

Figure 2. Project Development Manager Nikki Wooten teaches Head Start students how to plant seeds.

Figure 3. Students carefully water the seeds.

Figure 4. Students inspect the progress of the seeds as they germinate.

Figure 5. This student uses a ruler to measure the growth of the seedlings.

Figure 6 The teacher supervises as the student harvests leaves for a salad.

Figure 7. Students carefully cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces for their salad.

Figure 8. Head Start students enjoy trying the lettuce and Swiss chard they grew together.

Figure 9 Stone Belt clients carefully soak oasis cubes in water before planting seeds.

Figure 10 Stone Belt clients starting seeds.

Appendix 2: Recognition of City of Bloomington

Figure 11 This sign was posted next to the hydrotables at the Head Start and Stone Belt locations.

Figure 12 Growing Opportunities Facebook Post 1

Figure 13. Growing Opportunities Facebook Post 2

Figure 14 Growing Oppotunities Facebook Post 3

Figure 15. Growing Opportunities Facebook Post 4