social enterprises

  It is our desire to give the families we serve nutritious fresh foods.  Growing fruits and vegetables utilizing Controlled Environment Agriculture (Growing food in a climate-controlled building) will give us the ability to produce food year-round.  We plan to implement the use of hydroponics (growing plants in mineral-rich water without soil) and aquaponics (utilizing wastewater from fish hatcheries for growing) to produce higher yields in a shorter time span.  For example, a 6’x12’ hydroponic table of lettuce can produce over three thousand heads of lettuce per year (60+/week).    With our Educator Greenhouse, we will be able to train staff from local churches, food pantries, and schools as well as individuals/families interested in implementing their own growing barns.  We will train them in how to maximize their growing space so they can produce high yields in a simple 12 x 12 unit. 

The excess fruits and vegetables will be sold at a stand. The stand will be run by individuals in our empowerment program.  They will learn management, scheduling, marketing and other business skills.