Boston Youth Urban Container Garden Proposal - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Boston Youth Urban Container Garden ProposalBy John Tarantino1

2. Urban Container Gardening for KidsFor many years I have wished to work with Boston City Youth to help train them in Urban Gardening and Sustainability. The focus of this proposal is to bring school aged youth, teachers, parents and local members of the neighborhood together in a collaborative environment to grow food gardens from initiation through year end harvest. I have been involved off and on for 20 plus years in some aspect of gardening and currently own a small successful garden design and install company. My dream is to someday be a custodian of a large group of city gardens in Boston that serves and benefits city youth.2

3. Goals My goals are to provide Boston City Youth with a collaborative learning experience, enhanced academic skills, a sense of stewardship, better nutritional habits, deeper understanding of their environment and potential future use of learned vocational skills.3

4. Graph courtesy of KidsGardening.org4

5. Premise: To create a Neighborhood Community Container Garden Space utilizing a city abandoned propertyTo implement a Charter school-based community gardening program in an inner-city Boston Neighborhood. The goal of this program is to establish a symbiotic link between a Boston Charter School student body, teachers, parents and local community garden volunteers to create an Urban Food Garden from initial ground breaking to a thriving crop producing garden.5

6. Three Pillars of Sustainability and Linkage to Youth Urban Container Gardening BenefitsStewardshipLowers crimeCultural ExchangeNutrition changesBetter academicsEnvironmentalEconomicSocialVocational and LifeBetter environmental understandingEat more local foodEat healthier foodsReduces stress6

7. Detailed Analysis of 3 Benefits to Youth Urban Container GardeningYouth involved in community gardening have better nutritional awareness and eating habits. There is strong statistical data showing that youth that participate in gardening eat better and have a better understanding about nutrition.Youth who garden are less likely to become involved with drugs or alcohol. There is a significant amount of data and survey results indicating that youth who gardening are less likely to get involved with drugs or alcohol.Youth who garden have do better academically in school. There is strong survey evidence to suggest that youth that are involved in community gardening are more organized and do better academically in school.7

8. GIS Map of Paige AcademyPrepared by Logan Capone8

9. Paige Academy40 Highland AveRoxbury, MassachusettsCulturally Diverse SchoolExtensive Minority Presence80% Black & 20% Hispanic9

10. Under-Utilized Property Final Site SelectionPaige Academy Youth Urban Container Garden60 Centre Street, Roxbury, MA6640 Square Foot Rectangular Lot10

11. Initial Youth Urban Container Garden Start-up CostsCost analysis – Initial start-up cost $$ of Boston Youth Urban Garden from initial ground breaking to harvest. Cost to include materials and construction of basic container garden.Four (4) 30' X 20' Container GardenOne (1) 40' X 15' Container GardenTotal Container Garden Construction Material CostsSCS Certified Pressure Treated Ground Contact Wood$1,800Labor Cost Carpentry Construction of Container GardenTwo (2) Days Labor for crew of two @ approximately $160 Per Labor Hour X 16 Hours$2,56011

12. Initial Youth Urban Container Garden Start-up Costs continued….Total Material & Labor Cost for Container Garden Construction$4,360Start-Up Costs ContinuedSoil MixFour (4) 30 X 20 Container GardenOne (1) 40' X 15' Container GardenTotal Container Garden Soil Mix180 Cubic Yards@ $24 Per Cubic YardTotal Cost $4,300Total Material Costs for Wood Constructed Raised Container Garden & Soil Mix Infusion$8,66012

13. Potential Local Fund Sources for Container Garden Startup Boston Participatory Budget $$ Million Capital Budget for youth proposals. This program was initiated by Mayor Tom Menino in 2014 and now continued by Mayor Walsh.Goal is to engage Boston Youth between ages 12 and 25 to identify several infrastructure projects within the City of Boston they wish to direct all or a portion of their $1 million dollar capital budget.Project ideas are submitted via a website, social media or through a direct conversation with project leader.Photo courtesy of The Boston Globe13

14. Community Preservation Act (“CPA”)Enacted in 2016 in BostonFunds to be utilized for historic projects, parks and open spaces.The CPA was created to enhance the quality of life of all citizens of the City of BostonCPA funds are allocated via recommendations by a Community Preservation Committee to the City of Boston on an “as needed” basis. The amount of the grant is determined by the CPA committee.Illustration courtesy of the Boston Preservation Alliance14

15. Final Steps to a Working Pilot ProjectSolidify Financial Support for Youth Urban Garden Meet Community Neighbors for their SupportFormal Presentation with Boston Land BoardMeet with Paige Academy Directors15

16. Closing CommentsI just want to personally thank Madhu, Monique and Brian for their help and support in finishing this Capstone project. I especially wish to thank my friend Logan for helping to design the GIS map of the School and under-utilized properties selected. Also a word of gratitude to all my fellow classmates for the privilege of getting to participate with you all in this Capstone class.16

17. YouTube VideoGrowing Food17