Help me develop a Permaculture proposal for Northeast Ohio and The LeBron James Family Foundation

Hey Permies,

I would love to get your imput and bounce some ideas around about this idea/ project proposal.

I will be further elaborating on the topic tomorrow.  Today I'm working on our round wood fence.

Hope we can work together to develop a  proposal on Google docs.

Hi! I'm in Cle area. Curious what your thoughts are. I love the direction things are going here and still see a lot more opportunities waiting for takers.

Hi Amit,

Thanks for your interest  

The basic premise of LeBron James Family Foundation is to spread Permaculture education through the non-profit.  

I think if a celebrity (or group of) steps up like Matt Damon did with water 7 yrs ago then maybe it would help American culture to except and implement permaculture practices.  Which could intern empower our community  wishful thinking

On the micro scale...if we can establish a Permaculture network where we live, we can grow together.

Not sure what you mean about the LeBron James Family Foundation - nothing seems to indicate that on the website, though I know they do a lot of good. Permaculture is already infiltrating Cleveland and, I agree, it will do a lot of good. This "rustbelt" area with it's cities scattered with vacant lots is a perfect place for microfarms with intense cropping systems. Permaculture can be called an intense cropping system with systems on top of systems on top of systems, all outputting to people with minor amounts of external inputs, once established. Other innovative microfarms, or even macro farms of micro greens or hydro and aquaponics also have opportunity here, and the demand for organic local is not met. There is currently a need for public education on HOW to farm (not just grow a garden, but balance the soil, set up a business model, market, irrigate properly, etc. I know some organizations are working to meet that demand. Others are attempting to help with getting farms initially funded, but both education and funding are necessary to make this feed-or-selves movement last, me thinks.

Good luck!

The proposal is to convince the LeBron James Family Foundation to incorporate permaculture education into the work they already do.  

I agree there is a gap is education and funding.   A nonprofit group like his would be able to get funding and I can help educate interested members.

Here's that Link again, Steve:  Ron Finley:  A guerilla Gardener in South Central L.A.  Good luck with making the connections in Ohio!

I'm always dreaming about getting Cavs players and NBA cares to take on permaculture projects and education.  Part of me believes that The LeBron James Family Foundation could be a catalyst for change if they incorporated permaculture into their program.  

I'm an NBA fan and The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only sports team I still care about.   We don't have tv so I watch highlights online and read the box score.  I've followed them in the media over the years.

Part of me thinks that hand written letters could catch the attention of an important person who filters their social exposure do to fame.  Matt Damon,  Sean Penn, Kevin Love,  LeBron James,  Kyrie Irving,  Matthew Delladova,  JR Smith and other Cavs to appeal to their  humanitarianism. Kevin could write about Permaculture through The Players Tribune.  LeBron could really empower the Akron community.  That could be LeBron's greatest assist.

If LeBron believed it could be done and was willing to use his resources to educate his Foundation Staff about the benefits, then local Permies could help train the staff and facilitate the projects.  

Places like Highland Square, Metro-parks, University of Akron,  Akron Library, and The Mustard Seed could be partners in projects and education.  Groups like KeepAkronBeautiful and City Fresh could work with his Foundation.  Then I could see Akron becoming a leader in the Permaculture revolution.   That would spread the message.

But it is still just a dream.  Any Influential figure could work, the more the better.  Nourishing your friends, family, and community with the best foods is appealing to many.  

Brainstorming ways of spreading permaculture on Permies is a good option for winter time.  I am sincerely grateful for Paul and everyone that helps keep Permies maintained and moderated on the Day to Day. Thanks!

This post will discuss some good things already happening in Akron Ohio and the surrounding area.

Country Side Conservancy is just North of Akron and a program through the Metro Parks to rent out homes surrounding the metro parks for Small scale family farms.

In Bath Ohio there are Nun's that run an organic plant sale.  I would have to search for their farm name.  I believe it's connected to Stan Hewitt Hall.

City Fresh is an affordable farm fresh produce delivery service available to the community.   Not sure of their current status though.

Keep Akron Beautiful is an organization that plants flowers (some perennial) around the city and by many intersections.  They could be instrumental in Akron's Permaculture revolution.

Salsbury-Schweyer Inc is a Akron Based Business run by Permaculturist that has worked with the city to promote better storm water management strategies.  

Thats all for now.  I plan on continuing to brainstorm this on Permies in hopes it will help.  

Hi Steve,

For a proposal I would include:

- Brief overview of permaculture
- A certain amount of money that should be budgeted
- Concrete ideas how to spent the money
- Organizations named in your last posting could be beneficiaries
- Outlook for the next 5 / 10 years and what should be accomplished
- Short- and Longterm benefits of supporting this cause

Pascal Paoli wrote:
- Outlook for the next 5 / 10 years and what should be accomplished
- Short- and Longterm benefits of supporting this cause

Hey Pascal,Thanks for your input!  

I think ideas from the Ant Village Experiment could be adjusted to fit this Non-profit route.   For members to have skin in the game is important.  LeBron already has members of his IPromise initiative sign contracts that have short and long term obligations for both parties.   This is huge in my opinion and could lead to easier adaptation of permaculture into ongoing activity.

Paul had mentioned a Permaculture Movie, LeBron has a media company that partnered with Warner Brothers and could make that happen if they wanted to.

LeBron also has Blaze pizza, which is a fast casual restaurant.  Their produce could potentially come from members of the foundation.

Working towards ownership is big and could also be incorporated into the plan.  Let's say a family that owns a home near or in Akron is willing to be a base camp permaculture site for the foundation.   A place to host classes and hands on activity.   These host could sign up for multiple year contract at the end of which they own all improvements and are free of further commitment.   During their contract they would agree to distribute plants in their designated radius to fellow members and community outreach.   Big part of the growth could revolve around cuttings of perennials.  Members could work in groups and help find good homes for plants and get them established for other members.

Other beneficiaries of this idea could include specialized projects for homeless shelters like Haven of Rest and for Veterans and wounded warriors.  

The Veterans that support permaculture initiatives have a special importance.  Many topics within Permaculture have tendencies to appeal to Liberals.  It's my opinion that permaculture supporting Veterans could help bridge the gap to Conservative Republicans.  I feel that Veterans could be key to bipartisan support for the movement.

LeBron already donates to Haven of Rest, a gardening project would be a drop in the bucket compared to what the man has already donated there.  

Bringing in vets could be a great addition. Being outside and in nature might even have a wellness effect on them.

I guess the overall question is how exactly the proposal could work. Since you are just yourself you should first partner up with one of these entities, such as Haven of Rest, so that there is infrastructure in place to channel the support.

Otherwise you would have to make up your own foundation, because you need a legal construct to receive the money and spread it out.
If you are not keen to opening your own foundation I strongly suggest you make calls to all of the organizations that you have listed and try to establish some form of agreement.

In the meantime we can try to figure out the other stuff ..

Steve Taylor wrote:This post will discuss some good things already happening in Akron Ohio and the surrounding area.

Country Side Conservancy is just North of Akron and a program through the Metro Parks to rent out homes surrounding the metro parks for Small scale family farms.

In Bath Ohio there are Nun's that run an organic plant sale.  I would have to search for their farm name.  I believe it's connected to Stan Hewitt Hall.

City Fresh is an affordable farm fresh produce delivery service available to the community.   Not sure of their current status though.

Keep Akron Beautiful is an organization that plants flowers (some perennial) around the city and by many intersections.  They could be instrumental in Akron's Permaculture revolution.

Salsbury-Schweyer Inc is a Akron Based Business run by Permaculturist that has worked with the city to promote better storm water management strategies.  

Thats all for now.  I plan on continuing to brainstorm this on Permies in hopes it will help.  

I'll have to check out some of these organizations; I never realized there was this much going on in my back yard! Just after reading this, I happened to catch a blurb about Salsbury-Schweyer's upcoming Winter PDC on Facebook :tinfoil:

Pascal Paoli wrote:. Since you are just yourself you should first partner up with one of these entities, such as Haven of Rest, so that there is infrastructure in place to channel the support.

Otherwise you would have to make up your own foundation, because you need a legal construct to receive the money and spread it out.
If you are not keen to opening your own foundation I strongly suggest you make calls to all of the organizations that you have listed and try to establish some form of agreement.

In the meantime we can try to figure out the other stuff ..

That would be a main benefit for incorporating permaculture education and projects within the existing framework of The LeBron James Family Foundation.

They start excepting new proposals in January again.  But i would like my proposal to be well thought out before presenting.  It's that thought experiment that i'm using permies.com as a tool for.  Because Paul was awesome enough to have created it in the first place.

Here's my main problem with the idea:

Endorsements and LeBron James Net Worth
LeBron James Net Worth From Endorsements
Total Endorsements Adding to LeBron James Net Worth $267,000,000
Coca Cola 2009-2015 $16,000,000
McDonald's 2010-2015 $15,000,000
Nike 2010-2015 $50,000,000

http://moneynation.com/lebron-james-net-worth/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/01/22/lebron-james-endorsements-breakdown-by-the-numbers/#19ddc12a6bfc

Tyler Ludens wrote:Here's my main problem with the idea:

Endorsements and LeBron James Net Worth
LeBron James Net Worth From Endorsements
Total Endors. ents Adding to LeBron James Net Worth $267,000,000
Coca Cola 2009-2015 $16,000,000
McDonald's 2010-2015 $15,000,000
Nike 2010-2015 $50,000,000

http://moneynation.com/lebron-james-net-worth/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/01/22/lebron-james-endorsements-breakdown-by-the-numbers/#19ddc12a6bfc

Hey Tyler,

I agree there will be conflicts and hurdles.   The McDonald's one was not renewed do to LeBron wanting to be a better example to the youth and community that look up to him.  He wants to be a Billionaire and is well on his way.  Wealth is in conflict with Permaculture.   This is only a dream.  It is well within his power to implement and that's why I even bother posting.

I know it's a long shot.  I think appealing to a person's legacy can be effective.   Do it for the sake of our Grandkids and their Grandkids future.  To be fondly remembered.

LeBron is speaking out for social justice.  Permaculture can be a means to ease tensions through the creation of food security, entrepenures and artisans.  

Nick Watkins wrote:

I'll have to check out some of these organizations; I never realized there was this much going on in my back yard! Just after reading this, I happened to catch a blurb about Salsbury-Schweyer's upcoming Winter PDC on Facebook :tinfoil:

Thanks Nick,  I'll be adding more soon.  

This post is to list a few more resources within Northeast Ohio and a little further south.

Oberlin, Ohio is an amazing city in my opinion.   A graduate student from the University developed The People's Garden just South of the square by the old train station along the bike trail.  It is a community garden that everyone is welcome to harvest from.  The University is a local leader in Sustainability and the community reflects this with many unique small businesses and bike trails throughout the city.  One of our favorite places to eat was The Black River Cafe.  They purchase most of their ingredients locally from the best available sources and it's still affordable.   Oberlin has a great library that host a Saturday morning farmers market in the parking lot.

Highland Natural is a local businesses that has been growing non-gmo's livestock feed for the last decade.  They have recently expanded into local feed stores around here as well.  I believe they started out in the Kent Ohio area.

The Amish. There are lots of Amish living scattered around Ohio's county side.  They often have roadside stands you can purchase great produce.  I would recommend asking questions about their farming practices because some have great practices and others don't.

Homerville Produce Auction, this is another place to purchase large or smaller quantities of locally grown fruit, veggies, and baked goods.   Each lot for sale has a farm ID number,  and it pays to know who you are buying from so you can learn about their farming practices.

The McDonald's one was not renewed do to LeBron wanting to be a better example to the youth and community that look up to him.  

 

I think appealing to a person's legacy can be effective.

Perhaps the legacy aspect of this is what can really appeal to Lebron.  I hope that is the case.  If he is willing to put Coke and Nike money to better use to begin with, perhaps he can even drop those in the end, in order to focus on better economics.  

Nike is a lifetime contract.  But it can be seen as good PR and common interest for Nike to help with nutrition.  Community outreach is good PR for most any business.

I also don't know if Coke is still an endorsement.  That article is from 2014.  Samsung, Kia, and Nike are current endorsements.  There are many ways to spin it to avoid endorsement conflicts.  

Roberto pokachinni wrote:Perhaps the legacy aspect of this is what can really appeal to Lebron.  I hope that is the case.  

Thanks, me too Roberto.  I think legacy is a big selling point.  There was a meem on how much money/ kids he's sending to college vs Michael Jordan's zero.  They are always being compared but LeBron has him beat on charity.  The man have given so much to the community.  He empowers his friend's close to him and now the community.  That is a source of hope for me that it could work.

So on Empowerment, Nutrition, and Community Building there is a lot of common ground that can be found between LeBron and Permaculture.

If it could be worked into the scenario to have a garden center that is also a community literacy center, then things really take off for people in low income zones.  check out this link

Roberto pokachinni wrote:If it could be worked into the scenario to have a garden center that is also a community literacy center, then things really take off for people in low income zones.

That was a great Ted Talk.  I agree and have been thinking of variations of the idea. Like you said they could sell gardening supplies and kids could publish books on their experience and whatever else they wanted to write about.  Garden classes and other permaculture bricks could be explained.

Rocket Mass Heaters could be an interesting physics lessen.  I know it has me interested in learning more physics.  

Another thought, and most likely the plan I will be pursuing initially, is to distribute and establish edible and medicinal perennials to people and places that are interested in participating.  They would have to promise to learn about taking care of them through a system created ahead of time.  Then after they are established, with the organization's and my help, the host family will be responsible for finding another home for the same plants.

In my experience I can turn 1 raspberry plant into 5 in well worked soil.  We will pot up raspberry shoots and established then in suitable size containers. Then further distribute more.  So if someone receives 5 raspberry plants in year one. In spring of year two they pot up their shoots/ and or plants and distribute a min of 20% of those plants to another receptive home.  They can replant or sell the remaining plants for themselves.  Probably set minimum plants to keep in order to keep people gardening.

Another piece of the plan is to grow food close to food shelters.  A People's Garden that anyone can harvest from.  Work with 4H as a project for the kids and community.

Threw a little in and shared. I'd like to see more programs like this in my hometown!

Thanks Nick!  It is very appreciated 😊

Thought I'd add a picture to help this thread's chances of being shared on Facebook.

hi Steve and all

https://permies.com/t/61247/Ecosystem-restoration-camps-John-Liu

so what is John Liu up tp?
if you watch the webinar
a few interesting things shake out
1. local involvement for continual support and maintenance of project
2. some sort of "contract" giving the locals equity in the project
3. in Ethiopia the government took money from food aide for restoration
because the population tripled but the situation didn't improve

President elect Trump has stated he wants to rebuild the inner cities
so rather than arguing for a minimum wage of $15 hr to serve fast food
why not a proposal to hire these people to rebuild their neighborhoods
with decent housing, gardens, playgrounds, bike/hiking trail into the city,
green roofs, green beltways, etc. that they will benefit from?

duane hennon wrote:
1. local involvement for continual support and maintenance of project
2. some sort of "contract" giving the locals equity in the project
3. in Ethiopia the government took money from food aide for restoration
because the population tripled but the situation didn't improve

President elect Trump has stated he wants to rebuild the inner cities
so rather than arguing for a minimum wage of $15 hr to serve fast food
why not a proposal to hire these people to rebuild their neighborhoods
with decent housing, gardens, playgrounds, bike/hiking trail into the city,
green roofs, green beltways, etc. that they will benefit from?

I like that Duane, I like it a lot😂

Not done with the second video yet on the other thread, but I love what he is doing.  He has blazed a trail that many can follow.  

Using the local population to achieve regenerative agriculture.  They all have skin in the game that motivates improvement and changing behaviors to benefit the land and the people.  It's a beautiful thing and seems reasonable to implement.

Thanks for the info, it is influencing my thoughts. Especially how it can be modified to fit Akron and Ohio.  If our community did get the entrepreneur bug combined with permaculture techniques the camp idea could be used in the surrounding farm fields.  I can see motivated people better utilizing the farm land while restoring it.  People could earn their Ant Plots on such land and we could work together to detox and build the soil back up.  People could live in the city but have access to farm land they could own.

one has to strike while the iron is hot

change is in the air

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/12/27/progressives-have-let-inner-cities-fail-for-decades-president-trump-could-change-that.html

BEYOND THE CREATIVE CLASS
Progressives Have Let Inner Cities Fail for Decades. President Trump Could Change That.
For all the talk about gentrification, the real issue has been decades of concentrated poverty—and HUD policies have done little to help change that and sometimes worsened the problem.

is that cider I smell?

If that heads to the cider press it will be above my Apple clearance.

one of the problems, dare I say, with permaculture is the box (these are my tools)
now permaculture is good at including new things in the box,i.e., Fukuoka, Smits, Savory, Holtzer, Liu, etc
but these people, and others, developed their systems without ever hearing of permaculture

so don't be trapped into worrying about "permaculture", do what you think is beneficial
and permaculture will claim you

think outside the box
how to get people involved?
you have a local radio station (the Summit) that prides itself on community do-good-ery
maybe a work project where the participants earn concert tickets?
or a movable concert?

https://permies.com/t/58686/bit

http://www.espn.com/espys/2016/story/_/id/17060953/espys-carmelo-anthony-chris-paul-dwyane-wade-lebron-james-call-athletes-promote-change

Here is a link to the article I pulled the quote from.

Hey Steve, what you need to do is arrange a meeting between LeBron (or one of his people, that can be super effective) and Will Allen of Growing Power.

Will Allen is a MacArthur genius grantee, former college and professional (OK, in Belgium) basketball player who farms in Milwaukee and Chicago.

I can see great potential for a connection between these two great (and great big!!) men.  I can't call Will Allen a certified permaculturalist, but his work with self contained aquaponics (fish feed plants feed worms feed fish) in unheated greenhouses in Milwaukee can totally transfer to Ohio, and can accomplish great things.

Hi everyone, attached below is our updated plan.  I would love to hear from anyone interested!

Julia Winter wrote:Hey Steve, what you need to do is arrange a meeting between LeBron (or one of his people, that can be super effective) and Will Allen

I can see great potential for a connection between these two great (and great big!!) men.  I can't call Will Allen a certified permaculturalist, but his work with self contained aquaponics (fish feed plants feed worms feed fish) in unheated greenhouses in Milwaukee can totally transfer to Ohio, and can accomplish great things.

Hi Julia, I agree that would be a great connection to make.  I thought the same thing as I read through a thread about Will Allen.   Someone like Will should have an advantage connecting with NBA Cares and other players.  He is definitely in my thoughts moving forward.