Grant Proposal Workshop Space

TORDA'S FALL 2024 TEACHING SITE

Grant Proposal Workshop Space

11/6/2015

Use this space to:

1. Post your working draft of your grant. I know it's weird to post your entire grant as a comment, but do it anyway. No, it won't look pretty, but it will work.

2. As part of your post, tell people what you want help with--what you are worried about, what you are not sure is clear, what might sound goofy.

3. Respond: Pick two people. Read with care. Reply in a comment to their request for help and any other information that you think might help them. Be useful. Once you've seen that a person has been responded to twice, move on to someone who has not been responded to. I'd like for everyone to be read by two people.

4. When you turn in your grant to me for comments, please print out the comments you got from your colleagues and turn that in along with your rough draft (this post), your final draft, and the in-class drafting work you did on 4 November 2015 (not everyone will have that since so few of you were actually in class).

5. I'll lurk on this site and comment when it's appropriate, like I did last time.

23 Comments

Tori Gervais

11/11/2015 01:05:18 pm

Preface:
Here is what I have so far in terms of my community garden proposal. My “Introduction to the Problem” and “Proposed Solution” paragraphs are completed for the most part. The next few sections are mostly sketched out ideas for what I will eventually include. I would really appreciate some feedback on my “Proposed Solution” section, because I’m not sure if it’s a little too long. I also feel like maybe I included some points that should actually go into my benefits section? I do not have my scholarly support section included yet (I ran out of time before work to squeeze it in) but it is going to have evidence of community gardens being highly successful in other schools/ when used for therapy purposes at hospitals. I threw in the gist of my budget as well.

An Introduction to the Problem:

According to a study conducted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America aimed at evaluating the stress levels of college students, 80% of students surveyed reported feeling moderate to severe stress on a daily basis. As of Fall 2014, Bridgewater State University has approximately 11,187 undergraduate and graduate students. If we take the ladder statistic regarding student stress and apply it directly to our campus at BSU, roughly 9,000 students at Bridgewater State University are likely dealing with some degree of daily stress. Though BSU has an on campus counseling center that offers confidential individual and couple’s counseling, sessions are limited to once a week maximum visitation, and students are only able to take advantage of a set number of counseling appointments. Furthermore, many students do not feel comfortable sharing their personal stress with faculty, and opt out of counseling to avoid having to disclose their private thoughts. The counseling center also offers a number of outreach programs that allow students the opportunity to attend organized info sessions, however these sessions often address very specific student concerns such as eating disorders, substance abuse, and relationship issues. Though these info sessions are highly informative and accommodating to a select number of students, they are not necessarily helpful for students experiencing stress that is not directly linked to one of these specific scenarios. Bridgewater State is a University steadfast in its commitment to empower individuals and promote student success, which is why we are taking the time to recognize that our students are in vital need of a campus-wide stress outlet that is universally accessible to all students dealing with a variety of stress and anxiety related issues, and that ultimately will allow students to discreetly engage in a stress-reducing activity without feeling pressured to explain or verbalize their personal issues.

Proposed Solution:

As a campus and a community, we are constantly looking for innovative and progressive solutions to student issues, and we feel strongly that the implementation of a community garden would undoubtedly help to alleviate student stress levels on the Bridgewater campus with a fresh new approach. Horticulture therapy is an up and coming form of treatment for people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and even PTSD and a variety of mental illnesses. The simple act of engaging with elements of the natural world and working with one’s own hands to produce something beautiful has an overwhelming number of therapeutic benefits. Gardening is a stress-reducing activity, and has been proven to aid in the lowering of Cortisol levels, a hormone released in your body when you experience stress. We feel that a community garden will provide a discreet outlet for students to unplug from the anxiety inducing chaos of our technology-dominated society as well as their demanding school schedules by helping to tend to a community garden. We plan to build four 3ft x 6ft raised garden beds, two of which will be devoted to vegetables and two of which will be devoted to flowers. These raised garden beds will be located beside the Conant Science Building alongside an already existing privatized green house. This area of campus has relatively low foot traffic, making it the perfect location for community gardens designed to help students foster relaxation and mental clarity. A two foot tall weather-resistant metal garden fence will be constructed around the perimeter of the gardens to ensure the crops are protected from animals, wind, and other natural elements. The gardening sessions will be conducted by allowing students to sign up for specific time slots in which they would like to help tend to the garden to ensure that there are never an excessive amount of students working the garden beds at the same time. Upon signing up for a specific time slot at the office of a chosen staff member at BSU, the students will be given a “garden goodie bag” which will contain a variety of seeds, a pair of disposable g

Tori Gervais (Pt 2)

11/11/2015 01:07:53 pm

It cut off so here's the rest

gardening gloves, and a small pamphlet that explains which garden beds are allotted for which seeds, and some tips and tricks for first-time gardeners regarding how to properly plant seeds, and how often to water them. The student will also be given a key to the tool chest located beside the garden beds containing hand tools and watering cans to be used while tending to their plants. The keys are to be returned after each session to ensure that only students engaging in tending to the community garden have access to the tools. As vegetables and flowers begin to grow, volunteer students who have been helping to tend the garden can sign up to bring the crops to the local farm stand. The money raised by selling the food that students have grown will go towards buying more seeds and necessary tools to ensure that the garden is sustainable, and to allow future students to have the same access to a much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy class schedule.

Anticipated Benefits:
We feel that these community gardens will interest and reach students experiencing stress and anxiety on the Bridgewater campus who do not feel compelled to or comfortable seeking help from the Counseling Center. By targeting students who have suffered with stress and anxiety in silence, the community garden is another imperative step in the University’s efforts to seek out and help overwhelmed and overworked students manage their stress. Aside from the tremendous health and wellness benefits this community garden will have for our students, the gardens would aid in beautifying the campus we are all truly proud to be a part of. (To be continued)

Budget Rough Outline:
Four 3ft x 6ft raised cedar garden bed kits from Hayneedle.com- $520
Two metal garden fence sets from Amazon.com- $190
7 piece aluminum gardening tool set x2 (total of 14 tools available to students) from Amazon- $40
5 pound sack of perennial wildflower seed mix from bulkseedstore.com- $110
60 packets of assorted vegetable seeds from edenbrothers.com- $100
1000 piece set of disposable gloves from Amazon- $40

Total: $1000

David Manning

11/11/2015 01:52:14 pm

Tori, I love the idea of the community garden so much that I decided to choose it as well. I like how you detailed everything out in the budget instead of rough estimates and basic names. I'm not a fan of using the anxiety and depression statistics to start off the grant because it doesn't feel right to me. That's only my opinion I'm sure other's feel differently. I'm not 100% on this but I think BSU has puppy therapy days where students can play with them. I don't see anything "therapeutic" about gardening. I'm sure students will agree that playing with puppies is better than gardening. I love the idea of the community garden but I think it's the wrong argument to help with the proposal.

Patrick McGuinness

11/11/2015 08:08:51 pm

Tori,
I also like your ideas and implementation how we could help Bridgewater students eliminate stress from their daily routines. I think this would work and I like how detailed your response was. The only thing I also have a problem with is how you start off explaining the stress problem without mentioning anything about the garden. It's not really a big thing, it's just I felt I didn't know what I was going to be reading about when I started reading the grant.

David Manning

11/11/2015 01:33:16 pm

Bridgewater State University has focused on improving its classrooms, technology, and even water fountains over the past decade. BSU consistently has had a clean and beautiful campus with the groundskeepers making sure the BSU sign outside Tillinghast Hall looks gorgeous with bright flowers. It’s always nice to have things look great from the surface. However, it is also nice to make additions that have a purpose and meaning behind them
I would like to propose a new community garden located outside the walkway or the “K” on the Bridgewater State campus map. This will not only add new scenery to the campus, but something with purpose and meaning. The name of the proposed garden is still to be determined, but the new scholarship founded after its installment will be named after the owners of the Hot Cup, a local coffee shop in downtown Bridgewater. This community garden will do exactly what its name implies, benefit the community as a whole. Everyone has lost someone they love in their life. Every flower planted in the new community garden will be dedicated to someone who meant something to somebody. Every time a student will walk by the garden they will be reminded not to take anything or anyone for granted. The new scholarship founded after the garden is open will benefit a current BSU student each year. Anyone who donates $10 or more to the foundation will be able to choose the flower of their choice and have it planted in the new community garden.
The garden is incredibly cost effective and will generate positive thoughts and increase the likeness of the Hot Cup coffee shop in downtown Bridgewater. It does not seem fathomable to have a bike share program because it is difficult to convince BSU students to ride a bike around campus since a majority of students commute. Factor in the cold weather and the relatively medium sized campus, it just doesn’t seem reasonable. The new recycle program sounds like a good idea on paper, but with number of BSU students performing community service, it is only good if everyone was involved.

David Manning

11/11/2015 01:36:19 pm

Budget

Item Cost
Equipment
Sign Approx. $50
Fencing Approx. $200
Dirt and fertilizer Approx. $200
Decorations Approx $150
Service charge Approx. $400
Total: $1000

Deanna Haas

11/11/2015 01:48:23 pm

Hi guys, I'm mostly concerned about the angle of my proposal. I think the recycling program is a really good thing, and it would only be the start to a more rigorous green program on campus. In my proposal I outlined how the grant would provide a great starting point, and where the program might take us in the future. I don't have many costs other than the recycling bins and some materials for promotional items, so if you think of any I might've missed, let me know. I'm also still brainstorming a name for the program/club.

A Greener BSU – Grant Proposal

Summary

A Greener BSU would provide designated waste removal bins for recyclable items on the Bridgewater State campus and promote the usage of those bins to both faculty and students, thus creating a cleaner, more beautiful environment for residents of Bridgewater. A student-run club would be formed on campus that would stimulate a change in the way campus community members think about getting rid of waste. Students involved in the club will assist with the maintenance of the bins and promotion of the program. The reformed recycling program would help create an environmentally friendly campus and student-body. The program would not only encourage students and faculty to use designated bins for getting rid of waste, but it would also create greater awareness among the community for green initiatives, paving the way for a greener community in the future.

Introduction

The Bridgewater State University campus is often littered with empty water bottles, chip bags, and beer cans. When potential students or residents see the waste lying on the grass by Spring Street they are turned off by the ugly scene. Students at BSU care about their environment, so why don’t they show it? The average person generates over 4 pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year. The EPA estimates that 75% of the American waste stream is recyclable. Today, about 34% of waste is recycled in America. This is an improving rate, but BSU must do more to address the issue as a campus community.

The school removed its most popular commuter parking lot in favor of a more attractive campus just two years ago, and aside from that, there have been no meaningful initiatives to address the environmental issues facing the community, or the world. Pollution is an indisputable, human-made issue that the entire world is up against, and more must be done to ensure that Bridgewater State University is more part of the solution than the problem.

Solution

Clubs on campus have great ability to inspire fellow students. Recycling bins seem almost like an obvious solution, so it is a wonder they don’t exist vastly on campus already. Putting recycling bins with informational posters around campus would only be the first steps in creating a more environmentally friendly campus. The following initiatives would be put into place to ensure that the new recycling bins are put to good use:

First Steps:
• Bins labeled for trash, plastic, and cans placed in most high-traffic buildings on campus: dining halls Bear’s Den, ECC, Tilly, buildings RCC, DMF, Moakley, Library
• Student-run club created to promote the program, stay updated on green initiatives throughout the world and come up with ideas for its future
o Students in the recycling club will make posters with collages of the actual examples in order to jumpstart the program
o The recycling club will connect with other BSU clubs to promote the new program

The Future:
• Expand recycling bins to even more buildings on campus once it gains momentum
• Get rid of trays in dining halls
• Food waste to be sent to local farms
• A Greener BSU event for program launch, where BSU will change the colors on all of its social media sites & post flyers all over the campus

Anticipated benefits

A Greener BSU will not just make campus more attractive to prospective students and community members. It will create a more informed student body. There are dozens of schools across the country that have implemented programs to assist with the growing issue of pollution. Creating a student club on campus in charge of promoting these issues and ensuring that students, faculty and employees care about their environment. This is a fairly simple solution to a problem that could have been dealt with long ago. It’s time to spread awareness about the importance of recycling and going green at Bridgewater State University.

Budget

10 Recycling Bins (1 @ 81.99 Amazon) = $819.90
2 Packages Poster Board (25 Sheets @ 14.78) = $29.56
Total = $849.46

The remaining $150.54 will be used by the Recycling Club to cover printing costs and other promotional materials/campaign to launch the program.

Elizabeth West

11/12/2015 06:11:16 pm

Deanna - How will the program work in terms of getting the recycled product to the proper waste facility? Will BSU administration be involved? If so, how do you go about getting the buy in from administration before you submit the grant proposal. Maybe there is a Bridgewater recycle truck that will come to campus to pick up the bins....maybe they will provide the bins for free? Students may need to take the bin to the curb on a specific day to get it picked up and then return it to its designated position? Just a few things I thought of when I read your post. I like "A Greener BSU"

Deanna

11/16/2015 03:24:17 pm

Elizabeth -- I appreciate the feedback. I thought about having the members of the recycling club responsible for taking bins in and out--we had a program like that at my high school. But I wasn't sure if we had to go into the specifics of the execution of the program in the grant. I assumed BSU admin would just be involved. All things to think about though!

Yuexin Ma

11/17/2015 06:20:47 pm

Deanna, the only thing I am curious about is how the food waste will be sent to local farms. I mean, will the local farms agree to be responsible for the shipping? After all, I believe the price of shipping may be higher than the price of getting some "food waste". Maybe the shipping expense budget need to be taken into account.

Yuexin Ma

11/11/2015 03:52:02 pm

SUMMARY:
The BikeShare program allows university students, staff and faculty to check out a bike for same-day use in several hours, free of charge. It would benefit the more than XXXX individuals who call BSU home as well as the owners of The Hot Cup.
With strategically placed bike stations students could grab or return a bike, the bike sharing systems provide fast connections between the most traveled locations on our campus. BikeShare users can expect to see convenient way to get from A to B. It may also give students more chance to get to the coffee shop, which means it brings more business to the shop. By utilizing these shared rides, the program is able to reduce its carbon footprint in sourcing bikes while teaching students lifelong skills in bike maintenance. Bicycle sharing is the most efficient and sustainable campus transportation option available. At the same time, the university and the shop are closely related to each other by this program.
The program needs volunteers to help the students who use the bikes register and check the bikes when they return the bikes. Given today's budgetary pressures, the bikes in the program could best be offered voluntarily by the owners. And the bike owners who participate in the program can get discount in Hot Cup.

ONE SENTENCE DESCRIPTION: It binds the campus and the coffee shop together would benefit the individuals who call BSU home as well as the owners of The Hot Cup.
BSU BikeShare
INTRODUCTION:
There are a couple of reasons why I want to start this project. One of the main reasons is simply because the campus is quite big. I believe students who live on east campus don’t want to walk across the school during the time out of class.
And another reason is that most students living on campus are from the places far away from BSU. So they often spend their spare time going back to their home or going to some other places by train or just being busy with their own club activities, which means they always overlook the nearby neighborhood such as the Hot Cup coffee shop. The bike sharing systems provide fast connections between the most traveled locations on our campus or near the community. BikeShare users can expect to see convenient way to get from A to B. It may also give students more chance to get to the coffee shop, which means it brings more business to the shop.
Furthermore, bike sharing is a great opportunity to meet all kinds of new people and develop relationships with them, so students living on campus can be more sociable.
SOLUTION:
It gives the students living on campus more chance to go to the community just near the main campus including the Hot Cup. And it offers a convenient way to get from A to B. And if the Hot Cup offers some discounts to those who participate in the bike share program (like people who offer their bikes for free), more students or stuff will go to the coffee shop. Specific measures as follows:
1) Set several spots for lending the bikes and collecting the lending bikes. (Maybe not each spot has both functions)
The spots should prevent the bikes from stealing. -----bike lock & volunteers
2) Rule the lasting hours of the borrowing (According to my own experience, two hours is the best). Record the data. Considering the limited fund, paper card is better.
Penalties for overdue bikes will be strictly enforced.
3) Rule administrative regulations such as damages or losses of the lending bikes, the individual shall assume fines or compensation.
4) Rule who can apply for the paper card. Only university students, staff and faculty are allowed to sign in.
BENEFITS:
1. Real Transportation
As we all know, the bike advances slowly by manpower, but it can be placed wherever it is convenient. However, as for the car, although it can run fast by engine, it must be parked at parking places. No park! No congestion!
2. Students’ Need
To class, the gym, or weekends’ excursion, students can use our sharing bikes to everywhere. Easy to use and always well maintained, our bike sharing systems are the premiere student amenity for BSU. It provides students’ growing campus with the fun, convenient way to get from A to B. Our bike sharing systems provide fast connections between the most traveled locations on our campus. Furthermore, bike sharing is a great opportunity to meet all kinds of new people and develop relationships with them, so students living on campus can be more sociable.
3. Go Green
Unlike auto rickshaws, which burn fuel, cycle rickshaws produce no pollution. Bicycle sharing is the most efficient and sustainable campus transportation option available. By utilizing these shared rides, the program is able to reduce its carbon footprint in sourcing bikes while teaching students lifelong skills in bike maintenance.
4. Closer Relationship between the Hot Cup & BSU
The shop has enjoyed a particularly close relationship with students, staff and faculty of Bridgewater State University. With this project, the

Yuexin Ma

11/11/2015 03:52:52 pm

4. Closer Relationship between the Hot Cup & BSU
The shop has enjoyed a particularly close relationship with students, staff and faculty of Bridgewater State University. With this project, the relationship could be closer due to the convenient transportation and the direct support (fund & discount) by the Hot Cup.
FUND:
The Hot Cup will finance the project with several thousands of dollars.

BUDGET:
ITEM UNIT COST QTY TOTAL ITEM COST
Bike Locks $10 25 $250
5 Bike Bicycle Floor Parking Rack Storage Stand $35 4 $140
Bicycle Pump $10 2 $20
Allen Wrench Set $10 2 $20
Cleaning Tools $20 2 $40
Helmets $25 20 $500
TOTAL $970

Elizabeth West

11/12/2015 06:23:27 pm

Yuexin, I think that getting the bikes donated is a wonderful idea. I am not sure Hot Cup would provide a discount to those that donate the bike. I believe the locks and helmets should be the responsibility of the rider (if they are traveling outside of the BSU campus). The idea of a bike share in New England should be considered seasonal because of the winter months. I think this is a lovely idea and could benefit the BSU community. Maybe the monies being spent on locks and helmets could be put into the maintenance tools....this is a great idea to have a bike repair place on campus.

Yuexin

11/17/2015 02:54:53 pm

Elizabeth, I agree with the idea that "the locks and helmets should be the responsibility of the rider". However, it's impossible for the users to offer the locks when they rent the bikes, isn't it? And actually I have considered the repair station, but it costs too much due to the professional tools. Instead, we can offer some simple tools such as Wrench Set. The idea of adjusting the length of renting seasonally is quite creative. Considering the limited fund, during the winter months, maybe we should close the outdoor locations in order to keep the fleet in good shape.

Patrick McGuinness

11/11/2015 09:33:21 pm

Summary :
The Bike sharing idea is a very useful tool that students can take advantage of. The bike sharing idea can be positive in so many ways. For example, when it gets cold and no one wants to walk all the way to class and they can't drive because parking spaces are filled. Having a Bike would be the most optimal way to get to class while staying warm by exercising. Like I said in my example, not only is it great for transportation purposes but it is also good for exercising.
Problem:
The problem with the Bridgewater campus for all students including students that commute to the university is that the campus is flat out too big. For me to walk from my class that gets out at 3:30 to the Tinsley center for my practice at 4:00 takes me it takes a full 20 minutes to reach. The next problem is that there is nowhere to park except Tower and the parking garage which takes a long time to reach where most classes are on the East side of campus.
Solution:
Organizing a bike sharing company would promote a more efficient form of transportation across campus. I think what needs to be done with the money is to make bike racks around campus and put fliers for people to join the Bike sharing group. Once this is established we could create a page for people to go on and order what bike they want to use at what time and someone could book them that spot. Bike's would not cost any money to rent for the hour or two that are in use, but people could be charged fees for going over their scheduled time. This would solve the problem with traffic around campus because less people would be driving around campus trying to park somewhere illegally, which would than save students from Bridgewater's ticket guy. This could also improve business, down the road like the 'Hop Cup' or other businesses in town.

Brenna R

11/13/2015 02:02:13 pm

Patrick,

I agree that the campus is just too big, it is very annoying as a commuter trying a couple different lots just to end up in the "far away from all classes anywwhere" parking garage. I know for a fact that students would rather walk then pay for a bike so it is good that you are looking to keep the program free, but I am not sure how you would charge late fees or how you would keep track of who is using what bike for how long. This is a great start since it is only a draft but I think you just need to elaborate on how the program will actually work in regards to student bike use.

Deanna

11/16/2015 03:27:06 pm

Patrick -- I think what you have to think about is how you're going to angle this towards the people providing the grant, the owners of the Hot Cup. Why would they want to give their money to this program? I'm not sure how much traffic this would get rid of, as most of the traffic near campus is due to commuters. Most people who commute (unless they live closeby) are not going to ride a bike to class--they simply have to drive there because it's too far. I think this is an awesome idea, I would just think about reworking some of your angle. For example, you could provide even more details about the exercise benefits of the idea. Get creative with it!

Elizabeth West

11/12/2015 06:43:37 pm

I am hopeful to get some suggestions on how things work on campus....I have never lived in a dorm on campus so I am really guessing at how this type of a program would truly work.

Summary: I propose a recycling program to benefit student run programs. The Grant funds will be used to purchase bins, which will be manned by volunteer students from various clubs on campus. The grant will fund the purchasing of the bins as well as the campaign to kick off the community involvement event. The clubs on campus will be invited to design their own recycling bin with the BSU community theme in mind. Bottle deposit collection programs have been successful at many schools across the US. Funding collected can be used in a variety of ways, all of which will support a better environment. In addition to the bins scattered across campus, the club communities can work together to sponsor rally days. The rally days will be used to invite the town as a community to contribute to the college environment by donating their bottle collections knowing they will create a perpetual fund to be used specifically for bettering the environment. I propose the rally day be near or on Earth Day.

Problem: Many students have no reason to collect bottles for the deposit money and the resources are often thrown away or recycled without redeeming the five cents. The primary reason is they have limited spaces in the dorms for collection. Clubs on campus are always looking for ways to contribute to the community and benefit the environment.
Solution: Strategically placing collection containers specific for collecting bottle deposit monies will supply a way for students to feel better about contributing to the environment in more than one way. The bins can be offer space for advertising campus events. The funds are initially used to bring the recycle bins to every logical place on campus. After the bins are secured, the monies will perpetually only be needed to purchase the bags. Additional monies will be used for clubs on campus that wish to encourage activities on campus that inspire environmental benefits. Some of the monies will be used to rally on Earth Day.
Bridgewater Can and Redemption Center on Perkins St in Bridgewater is just outside the BSU campus. They are able to pick up the cans on a weekly basis and supply a direct deposit of monies received with only a small percentage taken away (very similar to using a coin return machine at the grocery store).
• The environment benefits when the bottles and cans are disposed of properly.
• The campus community benefits by being able to contribute in a positive way.
• The funding will be perpetual.
• The advertisements will give ownership to the responsibilities of keeping the containers free and clear.
Budget of the Grant Money:
Purchase the Bins – 10 at first - $650 (each bin is $65 which is the equivalent of 1300 cans at a nickel each).
Bags for the bins - .70 cents per bag (65 gallon capacity) – initially buy 200 bags
Open an account with the remaining monies to keep the perpetual fund

Brenna R

11/13/2015 01:54:47 pm

Elizabeth,

I think this is a fantastic idea! I love that you want to put clubs in charge of the bins and I think that is very realistic. Many clubs fundraise in many different ways to raise money for their causes and I think they would take advantage of turning in plastic bottles for cash to benefit their organization. I think the event you have came up with where students put more of their recyclable objects in support of different clubs is excellent. I think this is a great and realistic start to your proposal.

Yuexin Ma

11/17/2015 06:06:10 pm

Elizabeth, from what I have observed, there are several functional bins on campus. For instance, the bins near printers are used to collect mixed paper. Maybe you can use the existing bins and take advantage of the rest of the money to carry out your idea of advertising campus events or the clubs that inspire environmental benefits. It's a great idea to combine the clubs with this proposal. With the help of the clubs, I believe the project will run more smoothly.

Brenna R

11/13/2015 01:45:06 pm

I am proposing a Bridgewater State Community Garden. The money from the Hot Cup’s grant will buy general plot space, advertising, and a garden share for the Hot Cup. Bridgewater State organizations, students and faculty, as well as campus partners, local businesses, Bridgewater public schools, and local families can annually purchase shares and plant their own fruits, vegetables, flowers, and foliage. The money raised by plot share purchases will go to an end of the year harvest feast where the community will gather and participate in a celebration and dinner to enjoy their own organically grown food.

Intro to problem:
Bridgewater is a small town full of college students and faculty, small business owners, farmers, and blue-collar families. The community close-knit and comes together through many of Bridgewater State University’s events. In recent events, Bridgewater State University has been the victim of bad press, the way our school is presented in the news gives the public the wrong ideas; parents have asked students to leave the school and parents have also been overheard asking about campus assaults in tour groups. Bridgewater state is a school that is mostly attended by students who work one or more jobs to receive higher education and they tend to get involved in the surrounding community. There is a culture here in Bridgewater of community service and bonding.
It seems as though Bridgewater State has a lot of green space just going to waste. There are many scenic areas throughout campus that are simply made to look at, and some are not that pretty. Why not do something with that space? A community garden could be the answer to represent our school properly.

Proposed Solution:
A community garden brings the community together and shows what Bridgewater State University is all about. Campus partners, organizations, students, and faculty as well as Bridgewater Public offices and schools, local businesses, and local families will all be welcome to join and purchase a garden share. By purchasing a garden share, the shareholder will be able to plant any fruits, vegetables, flowers, and foliage they desire. Their purchase will go to the upkeep of the garden and also to an annual community harvest which will be a celebration of the locally grown foods the community garden will produce. Shareholders will be invited to share their harvests, sell their products, and enjoy a night of community closeness. With the grant provided by the Hot Cup, we can turn empty green space into a community garden. The grant money will pay for garden space, advertisements, and a share for the Hot Cup itself. The garden will be separated into fifty separate plots which will sell for twenty five dollars each. The shareholders will be responsible for growing their own products and will have the choice of how to use their own products. Any plots affiliated with Bridgewater State University partners or organizations must participate in an annual harvest festival which is put on with the money shareholders use to purchase their shares. All other shareholders have the choice to participate in an annual harvest festival. All shareholders are welcome to share produce, sell products, fundraise, and advertise during the festival.

Anitcipated Benefits:
- Better press for the school
- Community service and bonding
- A better looking campus
- Functioning and usable garden space
- A change to celebrate local and organic foods

Budget:
$25 Hot Cup Garden Share
$160 200 Flyers printed at Staples
$399 50 bags Miracle Gro Flower and Vegetable Soil
$250 Garden Fencing from Lowe’s
$166 Signage and Garden Decorations

Deanna

11/16/2015 03:33:24 pm

Brenna -- I really love your idea for the community garden and harvest. I think you have a pretty good idea of your audience, but I would play on the benefits (community bonding) even more. Aside from that, this is a seriously creative, fun approach to the project. I guess the only other thing I would consider is the maintenance of the garden -- "The shareholders will be responsible for growing their own products and will have the choice of how to use their own products." How will you get the local companies, schools, etc interested? They have to come to campus to tend to a small garden? I just wonder if it will be worth it to them. I almost chose to propose a community garden, but I don't know enough about these kinds of programs to write a lot about it. I think you tackled it well, and you have a really great idea to start off with. The festival especially would be a great way to create connections between BSU students and the community.

OWO Scotland link

2/22/2021 04:32:24 am

Great read thankyouu

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