HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-12-0051 Supporting DocumentationROOTS IN THE CITY, INC.
Non-profit Urban Beautification
1600 NW Third Avenue, Building D, Miami, Florida 33136
Marvin Dunn, Executive Director
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May 7, 2012
CRA Grants Division
49 NW 5th Street, Suite 100
Miami, Florida 33128
The enclosed proposal presents a work ptraining
pan for upto twelve
members of the Overtown beautification team in landscapingand
horticulture during a six-month period. The training sitesln
bes. rl oncetrainingated
along NW Third Avenue between Eighth and Fourteenthstwreet
will include the propagation of botanical plants such that the plants may be
proliferated to other locations in the community in a self-sustaining way. The
team will also be trained in some aspects:of horticulture resulting in the
ability to plant, maintain and harvest vegetables.
As a result of this training the designated areas will be made more
attractive, thus improving the appearance of the community and enhancing
community pride. Additionally, the team members will acquire skills which
will improve their job performance and employability.
We look forward to implementing this program for the Miami CRA. Please
contact me for further discussion. Thank you for your consideration of this
propOSal.
Marvifl1JU
Executive Director
ROOTS IN THE CITY, INC.
Non-profit Urban Beautification
1600 NW Third Avenue, Building D, Miami, Florida 33136
Marvin Dunn, Executive Director
www.rootsinthecitv.net
PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK
ROOTS IN THE CITY TRAINING PLAN FOR THE
OVERTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION TEAM
Purpose
Roots In The City will train up to twelve members of the Overtown
Neighborhood Beautification team in horticulture and landscaping. The
goal of the program is the beautification of the Overtown community,
particularly along NW Third Avenue between NW 8t" and 14t" Streets
and designated vacant Tots being used for agricultural purposes by
Roots In The City. Most of these Tots are owned by the Collins Center
for Public Policy, a partner of Roots In The City for several years.
Approach
On-the-job training using a field -based model will be conducted under
the direction of professional consultants with documented experience
in the field. Roots will provide documentation of the training
curriculum, including the topic covered, the trainer's name, the
trainees in attendance at each session, the number of training hours in
each segment of the cycle, and the competence level of each trainee
as he or she progresses through the cycle. Roots In The City will
provide appropriate literature and training materials, and the grant will
include funding for Roots to acquire botanical and vegetable plants
which will be used for training cycles in beautification, installation, and
care of the materials.
The project director will identify, employ, and supervise the trainers
working as consultants on the grant. The final training plan will be
developed by the project director and the trainers. The program's
implementation will be documented by the administrative coordinator.
A driver will transport and manage water for the remote sites using a
portable water meter, pick up/deliver supplies and materials, and
transport personnel and nursery plants and shrubs to planting sites.
Training Period
The training cycle will include a maximum of six months in the field.
In -classroom training is not anticipated as previous experience has
shown that the trainees learn better from direct, hands-on experience.
Irrigation
The grant must include irrigation funds, to include restoring the
irrigation system at the major training site at Third Avenue and 8th
Street and the use of a portable water tank and portable water meter
for other plantings. A water tank has already been purchased by
Roots using previous CRA funds and it will be used for watering remote
sites. The main site will use the current CRA water meter as was the
case when this site was previously used by Roots.
Curriculum
The training curriculum will be finalized during the first month of the
grant period. The following is a partial listing of topics to be included.
Pest control materials and application
Composting
Seed saving
Soil amending
Irrigation installation and maintenance
Hand and power tool use and maintenance
Harvesting and post -harvest care
Plant identification
Grafting
Plant, shrub, and tree installation and care
Budget
Following is the proposed budget for the project.
Category
Amount
Personnel
Project Director/Trainer
21,900
Administrative Coordinator
7,600
Site Manager
6,800
Training Consultants
4,200
Part-time labor
8,640
Materials
Seedlings, plants, supplies
10,000
Gas, tools, consumables
500
Fence repair/security
1,500
Van rental
7,200
Rent
6,660
Total Budget
$ 75,000
ROOTS IN THE CITY, INC.
Non-profit Urban Beautification
1600 NW Third Avenue, Building D, Miami, Florida 33136
Marvin Dunn, Executive Director
www.rootsinthecity.net
Funding Sources
• USDA farmers market promotion program: We received a grant in the
amount of $70,087.
• South Florida Workforce: We received support for one employee.
South Florida Workforce will reimburse us for 90% of our expenditure
for the employee.
• Alleghany Franciscan Ministries grant: We have applied for a grant.
Funding will be announced in September, 2012.
• State of Florida Historical Resources Department: We received a grant
for $50,000 effective July 1, 2011.
• Miami -Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez gave Roots In The
City $10,000 in grants for start-up costs on a community garden in
Coconut Grove.
• United Parcel Service Foundation: We have a pending grant proposal
for $12,000. We expect a decision within a month.
• EPA grant to Roots In The City through the City of Miami Office of
Sustainable Initiatives: $25,000 for planting trees. Roots In The City
will be able to harvest and sell the fruit produced from this effort.