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Commenced:
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01/01/2011 |
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Submitted:
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11/12/2012 |
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Last updated:
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07/10/2015 |
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Location:
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779 Atwood Street SW, Atlanta, GA, US |
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Phone:
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678.570.0398 |
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Website:
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www.nextstepsyep.org |
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Climate zone:
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Warm Temperate |
Our Mission: The NEXT Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program introduces youth to career pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (S.T.E.M.) by teaching them how to convert transferable farm and market management skills into civic leadership, social entrepreneurism, environmental stewardship, socio-economic and community development (health and wellness), and urban agritourism initiatives.
Back in September 2010, NEXT Steps assessed a 3.5 acre abandoned site full of overgrown weeds located in the heart of West End Atlanta (near the Atlanta University Center, Morehouse & Spelman Colleges). We asked ourselves two questions. The first question was, “How do we turn neglected, underutilized, forgotten and unproductive assets and resources within low-income, food desert communities into economic drivers; civic engagement facilitators; health and wellness mediators; environmental education, production and distribution training hubs; workforce development centers; and small business incubators?” The second question was, “How do we make it fun, attractive, interactive, inexpensive and effective enough to make a sizeable, long-term impact on the local residents and the community at large?” We answered both questions with two simple words: Urban Agritourism.
NEXT Steps designed and created Atwood Community Gardens & Urban Farm to serve as an urban agriculture training center and outdoor event facility. It is located at 779 Atwood Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. Our intent with Atwood was to create a non-threatening, direct-market food retail outlet and small business incubator that would increase healthy food access in food deserts, create job opportunities, and support entrepreneurial ventures – keeping local dollars, human capital and exceptional talent within low-income areas within Southwest Atlanta.
Within 18 months, NEXT Steps was able to secure funding (grants), donations of materials, supplies and equipment and support from over 1,500 volunteers through the Lowe’s HEROES program ($50,000), General Electric Volunteers ($50,000), United Way Gifts In Kind ($15,000), Hands On Atlanta, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Atlanta Community Tool Bank, State Farm, Captain Planet, Park Pride Atlanta, Combined Federal Campaign (government), Sodexo, Sevananda COOP, and the Outdoor Foundation. This amazing effort allowed us to transform what once was a community eyesore into a(n):
Note: The various badges displayed in people profiles are largely honesty-based self-proclamations by the individuals themselves. There are reporting functions users can use if they know of blatant misrepresentation (for both people and projects). Legitimacy, competency and reputation for all people and projects can be evidenced and/or developed through their providing regular updates on permaculture work they’re involved in, before/after photographs, etc. A spirit of objective nurturing of both people and projects through knowledge/encouragement/inspiration/resource sharing is the aim of the Worldwide Permaculture Network.
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MemberA member is a permaculturist who has never taken a PDC course. These cannot become PDC teachers. Members may be novice or highly experienced permaculturists or anywhere in between. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Permaculture MatchmakerOne of these badges will show if you select your gender and the "I'm single, looking for a permaculture partner" option in your profile. |
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PDCPeople who claim to have taken a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course somewhere in the world. |
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PDC VerifiedPeople who have entered an email address for the teacher of their PDC course, and have had their PDC status verified by that teacher. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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PRI PDCPeople who’ve taken a Permaculture Research Institute PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PDC TeacherPeople who claim to teach some version of PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PRI TeacherWith the exception of the ‘Member’ who has never taken a PDC, all of the above can apply to become a PRI PDC Teacher. PRI PDC Teachers are those who the PRI recognise, through a vetting board, as determined and competent to teach the full 72-hour course as developed by Permaculture founder Bill Mollison – covering all the topics of The Designers’ Manual as well as possible (i.e. not cherry picking only aspects the teacher feels most interested or competent in). Such teachers also commit to focussing on the design science, and not including subjective spiritual/metaphysical elements. The reason these items are not included in the PDC curriculum is because they are “belief” based. Permaculture Design education concerns itself with teaching good design based on strategies and techniques which are scientifically provable. PRI PDC Teachers may be given teaching and/or consultancy offerings as they become available as the network grows. |
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Aid WorkerThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to be involved in permaculture aid work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture aid worker experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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ConsultantThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to do paid permaculture design consultancy work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture consultancy experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
