| How the Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training Program Kickstarted This Soul Food Kitchen | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2206 | Environment & Sustainability | | 1/20/2022 5:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2206/Newsroom_OEP_001.jpg | https://youtu.be/pAw2P_U3weA | How the Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training Program Kickstarted This Soul Food Kitchen | <div class="ExternalClass41ADCAB65E0E45E9BD9EA1C6F6870614"><html>As the city of Phoenix accepts applications for the next cohort of the <a href="/newsroom/environmental-programs/2201" target="_blank">Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training Program</a>, a previous participant reflects on how the program helped him get his restaurant concept off the ground. The 10-week course, taught by Thrive Consultancy, Inc., is funded by Phoenix's Office of Environmental Programs (OEP). It helps current and aspiring entrepreneurs create a cooperative -- an employee-owned business -- through classes on business planning, group decision-making, budgeting, marketing, and more.<br><br>“One of the things that I wanted to really get out of the program was how to finish starting a business. I always kind of got to a point where I would start it and then not know where else to go," said Les Rayford, owner of Brown Sugaz Kitchen. “It helped me take my idea to an actual business,"<br><br>Originally, Rayford had a small business model where he would make food for small clients or families, often around the holidays.<br><br> “We have fried chicken, fried ribs, homemade cornbread, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, collard greens. This is absolutely soul food!" he said.<br><br>When he joined the 2021 cohort of the training program, his idea was to start a soul food truck, until he realized he had even better options. His brick-and-mortar kitchen will be opening in March 2022.<br><br>“What this program actually helped me do was continue to build tools for my restaurant to understand what the cost of goods are concerned, ingredient costs, putting together my recipes and understanding why I had to do those things to really help my costs and expenses stay as low as possible," Rayford said. “With the co-op, and having individuals interested in doing the same thing that I'm doing, it cut my stress level down. IT helped me with other ideas and things that I never even thought about before."<br><br>The city of Phoenix is funding the upcoming spring cohort, which runs from Feb. 24 to April 28, 2022, for up to 25 applicants. Training sessions will be held in downtown Phoenix each Thursday from 4pm to 7pm with virtual options available. While there is no charge for accepted participants, they are required to commit to full participation and completion of the program. The <a href="/oep/food-training" target="_blank">application</a> deadline is February 1, 2022.<br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | Video | environmental-programs |
| City Offers Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training for Entrepreneurs | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2201 | Environment & Sustainability | | 1/11/2022 6:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2201/Newsroom_OEP_001.jpg | | City Offers Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training for Entrepreneurs | <div class="ExternalClass7D8D39E3A9254501966EACF735BEC5D3"><html>
<p></p>Through a partnership with Thrive Consultancy, Inc., the city of Phoenix's Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) is excited to offer a special training program for potential and current food business owners. Applications are open through Feb. 1 for the 10-week <a target="_blank" href="/oep/food-training">Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training Program</a>, which will build your skills and confidence for starting (or joining) a worker-owned business in the local food economy.<br><br>“We are teaching Phoenix entrepreneurs how to use the cooperative model to make businesses that work for the owners, the community, and the planet," said Hanna Layton, Founder and Director of Thrive.<br><br><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thriveconsultancyinc.com/">Thrive</a> is an Arizona benefit corporation that is working to empower more equitable and sustainable economies in Arizona. The city of Phoenix is funding the upcoming spring cohort, which runs from Feb. 24 to April 28, 2022, for up to 25 applicants. Participants will learn how worker-cooperatives, or businesses owned and run by their employees, can increase profits while caring for the environment. They'll also have classes on business planning, group decision-making, budgeting, marketing, financing, and more.<br><br>“The cooperative businesses model has proven to be more sustainable and resilient than conventional business forms. Phoenix is committed to building forward by sponsoring cooperative business development with a focus on fostering sustainable, cooperative food businesses," Layton said.<br><br>Last year, the city of Phoenix sponsored a training program for veterans, which resulted in three different business ventures.<br><br>“We are excited to continue our partnership with Thrive and the Arizona State University Sustainable Food Economy Lab as we expand the program citywide," said Food Systems Program Manager Joseph Rossell. “Residents will have an opportunity to become a key part of a new, major wave of sustainable cooperative food businesses starting up in Phoenix. By investing in those residents, the city joins a small group of municipalities across the country who are actively working to cultivate a cooperative city."<br><br>Training sessions will be held in downtown Phoenix each Thursday from 4pm to 7pm with virtual options available. While there is no charge for accepted participants, they are required to commit to full participation and completion of the program.<strong> The application deadline is February 1, 2022.</strong><br><br><p>Learn more about the program and start your application <a target="_blank" href="/oep/food-training">HERE</a>.<br></p><p></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Phoenix Receives $500,000 Pledge for Urban Forest | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2197 | Environment & Sustainability | | 1/6/2022 10:15:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2197/Newsroom_Heat_001.jpg | | Phoenix Receives $500,000 Pledge for Urban Forest | <div class="ExternalClassBF06FA390F2D41259D666D9D41FFE6F8"><html>In a commitment to tree equity and fighting extreme heat, the city of Phoenix will receive up to half a million dollars in donations for tree planting projects across the city. The funds will be coming through a partnership with <a href="https://give.americanforests.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/?amount=35&source_code=2021_1XAds_GS&msclkid=c3c9b744b5fc17016843d693dc9fef80" target="_blank">American Forests</a>, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States.<br><br>In April 2021, the City of Phoenix and American Forests entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to increase tree equity in Phoenix neighborhoods. Since the initial partnership, American Forests has raised more than $260,000 for tree planting efforts from both businesses and philanthropic groups on behalf of the city. At the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ccAOy96IM" target="_blank">January 5, 2022 formal meeting</a>, Phoenix City Council voted 8-0 to receive up to $500,000 total from American Forests, and to disburse the funds through nonprofit partners such as Keep Phoenix Beautiful, Trees Matter, and the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, as needed.<br><br>“I am looking forward to supporting this item,” Mayor Kate Gallego said during the Council meeting. “American Forests has been a strong partner with us and it’s exciting to see funding opportunities come to our community.”<br><br>The first round of funding from American Forests will immediately support tree planting projects in areas with low tree equity scores, in city parks, and at schools. Funds will also be utilized by the Neighborhood Services Department for residential planting projects.<br><br>“Achieving our citywide tree canopy and tree equity goals will only be possible with great partners and collaborations, including those with community groups, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector,” said Dr. David Hondula, director of the newly-created Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. “Our partnership with American Forests is not only helping us craft our strategy, but is also bringing significant new resources to Phoenix that can help us make much bigger strides toward our goals than we've been able to in the past.”<br><br>Funding partners include Salesforce, iHeart Radio, and Aspiration Bank. As new projects get identified, American Forests will continue to fundraise on behalf of the city to help reach tree equity by 2030, along with other goals outlined in the <a href="/parkssite/Documents/PKS_Forestry/PKS_Forestry_Tree_and_Shade_Master_Plan.pdf" target="_blank">Tree and Shade Master Plan</a> and <a href="/oep/cap" target="_blank">Climate Action Plan</a>.<br><br>“If we can achieve tree equity here in our desert community in a way that’s sustainable, then cities across the country can do so as well,” Gallego said.<br><br><br><p><br></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| UPDATE: Application Deadline Extended for Urban Agriculture Fellowship | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2192 | Environment & Sustainability | | 12/30/2021 8:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2192/Newsroom_EnvironmentalPorgrams_001.jpg | | UPDATE: Application Deadline Extended for Urban Agriculture Fellowship | <div class="ExternalClassFE32DD7E7D434144BFC6F0915742D8DC"><html>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The city of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) has extended the application deadline for the new Urban Agriculture Fellowship Program as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Phoenix Resilient Food System Initiative. <strong>Applicants now have until Friday, January 7, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. MST to submit their applications.</strong></span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The fellowship is designed to train the next generation of growers who will represent the future of farm entrepreneurship, innovation, and business ownership in Phoenix. This is an exciting opportunity for up to nine Phoenix residents ages 18-24 to work with a local grower beginning January 2022. Each fellow will earn $15 per hour of work/apprenticeship for up to 20 hours per week for 50 weeks.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“These young adults are going to have an opportunity to study under some of the most talented growers in the state,” said Food Systems Program Manager Joe Rossell.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The Office of Environmental Programs recently interviewed 22 local growers about their needs and challenges, and a common theme among them was the difficulty of finding apprentices. Meanwhile, the average age of Arizona farmers is nearing 60 years.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“This program is a direct result of us asking those farmers what their needs are. Our goal is to get these young agriculture folks imbedded; they’re going to get exposed to all aspects of the farm -- growing, distributing and selling food, and dealing with food waste,” Rossell said.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">OEP is seeking passionate and diverse community members with an interest in becoming a future grower and willing to make a yearlong commitment to the fellowship program. The city has the capacity to match nine fellows with nine farms.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Learn more about the <a target="_blank" href="/oep/food-training">Urban Agriculture Fellowship Program</a> and submit an <a target="_blank" href="https://phoenix-gov.formstack.com/forms/cop_uaf_en">application</a> online. (<a target="_blank" href="https://phoenix-gov.formstack.com/forms/cop_uaf_es">Aplicar aquí en español</a>).</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">This program is made possible through funding received from the federal Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds.</span>
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| Phoenix Looks for Next Generation of Farmers | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2178 | Environment & Sustainability | | 12/17/2021 10:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2178/Photo_Newsroom_0006.jpg | | Phoenix Looks for Next Generation of Farmers | <div class="ExternalClass5E08FA34B3464FC1AD09DF5485333CF8"><html><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri;">The city of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) is currently accepting applications for the new Urban Agriculture Fellowship Program as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Phoenix Resilient Food System Initiative. The fellowship is designed to train the next generation of growers who will represent the future of farm entrepreneurship, innovation, and business ownership in Phoenix.<br style=""></span><br style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;"><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;">This is an exciting opportunity for up to nine Phoenix residents ages 18-24 to work with a local grower beginning January 2022. Each fellow will earn $15 per hour of work/apprenticeship for up to 20 hours per week for 50 weeks.</span></div><div><br style="font-size:12pt;"></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;">“These young adults are going to have an opportunity to study under some of the most talented growers in the state,” said Food Systems Program Manager Joe Rossell.</span></div><div><br style="font-size:12pt;"></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;">The Office of Environmental Programs recently interviewed 22 local growers about their needs and challenges, and a common theme among them was the difficulty of finding apprentices. Meanwhile, the average age of Arizona farmers is nearing 60 years.<br style=""></span></div><div><br style="font-size:12pt;"></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;">“This program is a direct result of us asking those farmers what their needs are. Our goal is to get these young agriculture folks imbedded; they’re going to get exposed to all aspects of the farm -- growing, distributing and selling food, and dealing with food waste,” Rossell said.</span></div><div><br style="font-size:12pt;"></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;">OEP is seeking passionate and diverse community members with an interest in becoming a future grower and willing to make a yearlong commitment to the fellowship program. The city has the capacity to match nine fellows with nine farms.</span></div><div><br style="font-size:12pt;"></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;">Learn more about the Urban Agriculture Fellowship Program and <a target="_blank" href="/oep/food-training"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;">submit an application online</span></a>. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.<br style=""></span></div><div><br style="font-size:12pt;"></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">This program is made possible through funding received from the federal Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds.</span><br style=""></span></div><div><br></div></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Grow Your Own Food at Home | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2129 | Environment & Sustainability | | 11/4/2021 8:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2129/Newsroom_Environment_026.jpg | | Grow Your Own Food at Home | <div class="ExternalClassF6B7E00FE3FA47C8916568180B835B04"><html>
<p>If you are interested in growing your own food at home, you could have a choice of three garden systems and training support for one year!<br></p>
<p>The city of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) is excited to announce applications are being accepted for its new FREE Backyard Garden Pilot Program. Residents selected to participate will receive materials, labor, training and maintenance support, as needed for one year, at no cost.</p>
<p>OEP is seeking passionate community members with an interest in growing food and willing to make a yearlong commitment to backyard gardening. The city has the capacity to welcome 90 people to receive a new garden system by the end of 2021.</p>
<p>Learn more about the Backyard Garden Program and submit an application <a href="/oep/backyard-garden" target="_blank">online</a>. <strong>Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15.</strong></p>
<p>This program is made possible through funding received from the federal Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds.</p>
<p>Our partners NxT Horizon LLC, LEHR Innovations LLC, and Tiger Mountain Foundation are providing the garden systems and expertise to ensure the success of each participant. <br></p>
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