2. A Source of ABUNDANCE
Organic America, “The Fresh Guide to Sustainable Living” began as a seed that developed into a
quick sprout - forming roots and growing into abundance.
This full-print publication serves as America’s source to sustainable living of all mediums and
formats. With a specific focus on urban homesteading and agriculture, this magazine is a source for
tips, tricks, DIY’s and what community members are doing to live a more fulfilling and greener
lifestyle.
Organic America is a full resource for all walks of life looking to go-green and embrace the tradition
of working with the earth for food and water sources in the least damaging way possible.
From efficient tiny-home layouts and rain catchment resources to raising quail, goats and city
livestock; Organic America is the go-to publication for learning the inside scoop of a simple
minimalistic life that is filled with abundance.
3. A Seed Planted is Knowledge Gained
I became interested in sustainable urban agriculture about six months ago when I began working at an organic produce stand on
the weekends. The feeling of being surrounded by fresh vegetables and personally knowing your local grower, where your food
comes from and what environmental aspects go into producing your food brings peace of mind.
I started looking into building my own garden and realized that there is a lot more to it than throwing seeds into the dirt. I quickly
became involved with a volunteer group in St. Petersburg that focuses on sustainable permaculture within the urban city
landscape. Meeting with a group of people dedicated to producing delicious vegetables within a community garden has greatly
expanded my knowledge on gardening and given me a place to just breathe, work the earth with my hands and collaborate with
my community.
With fresh knowledge, a new outlook on food production and dirt on my hands, the tiny see of an idea began to form in my mind.
Through my volunteer work at Faith House Community Garden and Saturday mornings spent working with local organic farmers, I
realized that there is a need for a resource such as Organic America to act as a guide and informational publication for people
looking to live more sustainably.
4. Funding and Networking
In order to find funding and build a network of researchers, I have reached out to local community leaders that are
involved in the fields of food growth, food policy and sustainable engineering.
My first contact who will be a helpful stakeholder in the publication funding and marketing for Organic America is
Emmanuel Roux. Emmanuel works and runs Faith House Community Garden and is in the works of raising funds for
one of the first “food parks” in the nation. His park will be host to the public, school field trips, organizations and
businesses looking to learn more about food production within urban landscapes.
Emmanuel is an affluent member of our St. Petersburg Community and I know that with his support on this project,
the Organic America publication will be able to reach growers, chefs and entrepreneurs utilizing sustainable organic
practices throughout the city of St. Petersburg.
My relationship with Emmanuel is growing steadily and well. We are putting our heads together to create ideas for
fundraising for his food park and my publication, which we would eventually like to encompass in one anothers
businesses.
We plan on utilizing Organic America to promote his St. Petersburg food park throughout the city, as well as the
state and the rest of the nation. With online subscriptions and hard copy mail-outs of the publication I believe we
will have a solid base for both businesses to steadily grow - hopefully more like a quick sprouting weed, rather than
the slow growing watermelon!
5. Funding and Networking
I was able to attend the initiation and introduction of a new University of South Florida non-profit research group
called, Urban Sustainable Food Policy Research Group. The meeting discussed the question of how public policies in
urban agriculture affect community is being explored through several interdisciplinary fields, including
environmental science, public policy, urban planning, religious studies and ethics. I
n order to research the full spectrum of how policy placement affects communities, the Urban Sustainable Food
Policy Research Group (USFPRG) explores policies set in place throughout Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Pasco
counties with a goal to benefit urban community gardens, facilitate faster collaboration between local government
with community, reduce environmentally harmful exposure, designate specific land use for urban agriculture and
join community in the spiritual aspect of participating in local sustainable growth.
6. Funding and Networking
USFPRG Team leaders include Dell deChant, Connie Mizak, Will Schanbacher and Tammy Vrana. Each member has a passion for community
development, food safety, policy placement and promotion of civic culture. Dell deChant has made significant contributions to foodography
within the Bay Area and offers expertise in the religious/spiritual aspect of community food growth. Connie Mizak works within the School
of Geosciences at USF and places her focus within USFPRG into how public policy benefits community and environment. Mizak joined the
group in order to help herself and students better understand local policies on food production. Will Schanbacher’s background is in
Religious Studies and Ethics, his contribution to the group includes research with a focus on economics, community, race, gender and power
issues. Schanbacher looks at socio economic impacts that urban food policies have on neighborhoods and community of diverse economic
wealth. Tammy Vrana is head of Vrana Consulting, Inc., an urban planning firm. Her knowledge in public land space, building and urban
planning assists USFPRG’s mission in finding opportunities for community garden locations. Vrana’s goal is to help reintroduce urban
agriculture into our cities and show where they can be located for the best outcome.
7. My Team and Stakeholders
Dell deChant - Cultural Studies and Freelance Journalist on Food Policy within urban areas
Emmanuel Roux - Fundraising organizer, food park owner and mentor in sustainable practices
Kim Paterson - Chief Editor
Tony Sica - Web Design and SEO Guru
Anastasia Bourdon - Sustainable Marketing Manager
Katie Thomas - proprietor, marketer and head of staff
8. Growing Organic America
My team and I will continue collaborating in order to get this publication on the go!
Our first step is to start local (of course!) and reach out to business owners and interested people within the community looking to expand
their knowledge on sustainable living.
The next step will be setting up a blog/webpage that begins linking articles to interested people. We will allow free advertising to local
business and will of course advertise Emmanuel’s food park for the first six months.
Our plan is to get as much response to our articles as possible, while showing our advertisers that they are receiving business and site
linkage from our sources. Once we have proven that we can help them make money, we will begin gaining new advertisers through referrals
and will be able to charge for advertising to our webpage.
Once the webpage is up and running successfully, we will begin printing and delivering publications for free to local neighborhoods and zip
codes. This seems like our team should have to charge for the receival of magazine, but by this time our ad rates will be soaring and there
will be no need for a subscription fee.
We will then take Organic America national, using the same guidelines we used to make it local. Once we have established ourselves
nationally, we will start a charge price and donate a proceed of all earnings to organizations making a difference in green, sustainable living
within urban settings.
