The grant to Bounty & Soul was fully funded by the Bahnson-Armitage Fund, John and Janet Garrett Charitable Fund, Ero Fund and Dogwood Charitable Endowment Fund.
The Utopian Seed Project (USP) focuses on supporting and developing a sustainable regional food and farming system and consists of three program areas, one of which is conducting regional crop and variety trials at its Experimental Farm in Leicester. It received $30,000 to outfit an on-farm greenhouse and for operating expenses. Once outfitted with the appropriate infrastructure, the greenhouse space will showcase innovations for growing food. The work includes rainwater catchment for irrigation; aquaponics to demonstrate low-tech, low-input indoor growing and aquaculture; solar pump and lights; a passive heated tropical area converting part of the greenhouse to a “hot house”; propagation area and nursery; and event and workshop space.
The Dogwood Charitable Endowment Fund and Terrence Lee One Love Fund provided co-investment for this grant.