additional Information

Grant Information

The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to local and regionally produced agricultural products by expanding community-supported agriculture programs or direct producer-to-institutional marketing opportunities. This applies to our project due to Grand Valley being one of the founding institutions of the Grand Rapids Community Sustainable Partnership. The Grand Rapids Community Sustainable Partnership is a diverse network of for-profit and nonprofit organizations in West Michigan that embrace and support sustainability in their planning and operations and are striving to make a positive impact in the Grand Rapids community. This program requires a 25% match with labor or cost.

Research and Methods

When considering possible methods of getting our project to become reality, we knew we first had to contact facilities and get input from other departments. Communicating with the Pew facilities proved to be a challenge, especially given the campus shutdown during this time. For more direction we would have needed additional feedback from the Pew facilities on possible locations. We did, however, get some feedback from other GVSU staff. This includes campus dietitian, Jody Vogelzang, who advised us that it would be difficult to get an actual designated floor space for our project, as we had originally intended. She did advise us that something much like a green wall would be more feasible for spacial reasons. We also heard from Youssef Darwich and Yumi Jacobic, who offered us some good outside networking ideas and advice in terms of where to take our research. This included contacting Ron Villanueva, manager of the Facilities Services Grand Rapids and Regional Centers. However, due to the current state of the university we were unable to meet in person and discuss our project further with him.

The input we collected helped us determine that it appeared to be easier implementing our prototype 3 design in an already established outdoor gardening pots on the Pew campus. This design would allow for all Grand Valley students to take part in our project, gaining first-hands on experience. Allowing the local community members to collect produce like lettuce and strawberries to help aid in preventing student hunger. These individuals would be allowed to collect the produce at leisure, with SAP students and volunteers continuing to plant in shifts. The Pew facility members that already maintain the area could also work in shifts with the students and volunteers if need be for watering. The more people and organizations that are invested and involved in this project, the higher the likelihood for success.

Citations

Easy Vertical Green wall module (fits any pipe and pot) (2020, February 14). In Thingiverse. Retrieved from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4163730

Farmers Market Promotion Program. (n.d.). In United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp

Mission. (2020). In Green Bronx Machine. Retrieved from https://greenbronxmachine.org/about/

Modular Hydroponic System. (2017, June 25). In Thingiverse. Retrieved from

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2403922

Sustainable Agriculture Project. (2020, March 24). In Grand Valley State University. Retrieved from

https://www.gvsu.edu/sustainableagproject/