Soil and Water Conservation Small Project Support

The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) is a resource for businesses and nonprofits including churches east of the Willamette River. EMSWCD provides technical assistance and small grants for projects that fit their guidelines. Examples of past projects have included watershed improvements, tree planting, community gardens, soil conservation, composting. Projects partners have included schools, neighborhoods, businesses, nonprofits, and churches. EMSWCD also provides free workshops. Read more about it on their website. http://emswcd.org/ 

What if Henry Ford Threw in The Towel?

Currently we are working to flesh out an in service workshop to offer to teachers. After reviewing the history of character based education, the question is not whether CBE failed, but whether the methodology came up short. Any program requires a baseline and outcome measures. Program evaluation is also an essential element, but that alone is insufficient. No program works without fine tuning it. Consider the manufacture of automobiles. What if Henry Ford threw in the towel the first time his efforts failed? There is a progression when properly applied leads to a successful outcome.

Next week a member of our team will meet with a new business adviser. Together we will assess and strengthen our several aspects of our business and marketing plans.

Research: Behind the Scenes

We have been doing some research.

First, we reviewed a new FEMA course and links to the Interfaith Disaster Network which has links to tip sheets. We shared this information with two groups.

Second, in keeping with our interests in sustainability, green practices and food security we researched several grants through the USDA, and read about the farm and pasture educational opportunities through Clackamas Community College.

Third, we conducted some basic research on an Oregon company and made an informal business offer.


 

Neighborhood Sharing - Part 3

This post is a continuation of neighborhood sharing. A local business man opened his facility to thirty two faith-based nonprofits. This allows for collaboration, creativity and resource sharing. David Madore, owner of US Digital Outreach, provides a secretary, and facilities manager. He provides a lunch room, conference rooms, an exercise room for their use. Downstairs there is a cafe. He stocks the cafe and 100% of proceeds helps to support these nonprofits on a rotating basis. This allows nonprofits to cut operating costs, and funnel their finances to provide services. There is a wide range which includes home schooling, school mentors, youth theater, missions organizations, and more. His willingness to provide space for nonprofits, brought resources to one location which has improved schools, helped local neighborhoods, provided needed resources for families, and opportunities to work with local churches, nonprofits and businesses to magnify the benefits. His business which has to do with solar panels has flourished. There is a big push for public-private relationships. Building relationships with the city, community organizers, and other groups may allow for creative use of public spaces and resources to benefit neighborhoods. In the absence of these partnerships, neighborhood associations may promote the idea by asking local churches and businesses to make room for business start ups and small nonprofits, particularly those with a neighborhood focus. Extend these agreements and grow gardens in the space between the sidewalk and street. This is a popular trend in low income and wealthier neighborhoods. Those who have no interest in gardening, can make the space available for those who have no access to land, have too much shade to grow a garden, for a produce sharing arrangement, to build community relationships or to donate the produce to neighbors in need. This can also be done block by block. Residents can commit to a single task (such as building planting boxes, adopt a planting box to maintain, or a block of time. Water is furnished by the homeowner. It doesn't require much water to garden on this scale, however making use of this space can produce a lot of food to help build relationships, improve neighborhood food security, nutrition, education and foster creativity. High school youth now need service credits to graduate. What better way than to serve those in their own community.