| Agri-Food Tech Innovation Grant recipients named | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2398 | Environment & Sustainability | | 6/24/2022 10:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2398/Newsroom _OEP_1.jpg | | Agri-Food Tech Innovation Grant recipients named | <div class="ExternalClass2447CD2BC23645AD976DE7A7028DC810"><html>
<p>The Phoenix City Council <a href="/cityclerksite/City%20Council%20Meeting%20Files/6-15-22%20Formal%20Agenda-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">approved</a> seven recipients of the <a href="/oep/food-grants" target="_blank">Agri-Food Tech Innovation Grant</a> to help them adopt agri-food technologies and innovations into their operations.</p>
<p>The grant is part of the ARPA-funded <a href="/oep/food-overview" target="_blank">Phoenix Resilient Food System Initiative</a>, which provides for increased local food production and access to healthy foods; support for food banks, food pantries and community agencies; and business and employment opportunities throughout the food system spectrum.</p>
<p>The Office of Environmental Programs selected five recipients that are committed to advancing food equity through their modern methods and processes:</p>
<ul style="" class="" dir="">
<li>
<strong>
<a href="https://freshkube.com/?msclkid=a088bbb4d0b011ec89a257f28f5a93cf" target="_blank">FreshKube Inc.</a> </strong>will put the grant funding toward sensors, refrigeration, and solar panels as they help small growers and distributors. The money will allow them to build six mini containers and a portable micro-solar farm, giving growers cost-effective, transportable, temperature-controlled containers that can be powered by renewable energy.<br></li>
<li>
<strong>
<a href="https://sites.google.com/asu.edu/indoorfarminglab" target="_blank">Arizona State University (ASU) Indoor Farming Lab</a>
</strong> is focusing on Indoor Vertical Farming (IVF). The Agri-Food Tech Innovation Grant will help the research lab conduct two, three-day workshops about the benefits of IVF within the food system. Funds will pay for personnel, publication, and training expenses. ASU is also providing a 100% cost share match.</li>
<li>
<strong>
<a href="https://lehrgarden.com/" target="_blank">Lehr Innovations LLC</a>
</strong>, with its existing Linking Ecosystem and Hardware for Regeneration (LEHR) Gardens, is no stranger to agricultural technology. With this grant, Lehr Innovations will be able to improve growing efficiency by building a testing site to measure the differences in water usage, soil carbon sequestration, costs, and productivity between its LEHR gardens and traditional, in-ground farming methods.</li>
<li>
<strong>
<a href="http://www.nxthorizon.com/Home.html" target="_blank">NxT Horizon LLC</a>
</strong> uses aquaponics to help urban farmers maximize food yield without toxic wastes or chemical runoffs. Funds awarded to NxT Horizon will go toward developing a pilot program to demonstrate methods using the giant freshwater prawn within the Phoenix Backyard Garden Program's aquaponics garden system.</li>
<li>
<strong>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/yobroaz/" target="_blank">YoBro Farms</a>
</strong> will expand its vertical microgreen growing business by implementing an outdoor, solar-powered farming system that will enhance resiliency and expand sustainable food production practices. The farm will use funds to buy photovoltaic supplies, a shed, and other materials.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Office of Mayor Kate Gallego is awarding funds to the following:<br></p>
<ul style="" class="" dir="">
<li>
<strong>
<a href="https://phxfood.coop/" target="_blank">Phoenix Food Cooperative</a>
</strong> will create the “Phoenix Cooperative Food Hub," a tech-enabled online directory and marketplace for producers, consumers, and distributors in the Phoenix food system. Grant funds will be used primarily for labor costs as Phoenix Food Cooperative establishes Phoenix's first cooperative grocery store that aggregates local food sources from Phoenix growers and producers and connects residents, retailers, and other consumers.</li>
<li>
<strong>
<a href="https://homerfarms.com/" target="_blank">Homer Farms Inc.</a>
</strong>, a vertical farm startup, will locate in Phoenix to build the first vertical farm in the City of Phoenix. The facility will use LED lights and deep-water hydroponic cultivation technologies, which will produce a minimum of 500,000 pounds of produce per year while using 95 percent less water than traditional agriculture. Grant funds will be used for equipment such as growing racks and lighting. </li>
</ul>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| City Council Adopts Transportation Electrification Plan | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2388 | Environment & Sustainability | | 6/17/2022 9:45:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2388/newsroom _OEP_01.jpg | | City Council Adopts Transportation Electrification Plan | <div class="ExternalClass551FB6710FF240A5A81803B2739314A6"><html>
<p></p>In a 9-0 vote on Wednesday, June 15, the Phoenix City Council voted to adopt the <a target="_blank" href="/sustainabilitysite/MediaAssets/sustainability/electric-vehicles/Draft%20Transportation%20Electrification%20Action%20Plan.pdf">Transportation Electrification Action Plan</a> (TEAP), which prepares the city for a future filled with more electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and e-mobility equity.<br><br>“We often call it the EV Roadmap because that is exactly what it does – it charts a path for us to get 280,000 EVs on Phoenix roads by the year 2030," said Mayor Kate Gallego. “EVs matter because they are the road to our future."<br><br>There are three, main focus areas to the plan – prioritizing equity, accelerating public adoption of electric vehicles, and the City of Phoenix leading by example. <br><br>On the equity front, the plan requires that at least 40% of the city's investments in transportation electrification be made in underserved communities. It also calls for the launch of a local model of micro-mobility by December of 2024.<br><br>“It is our duty to make sure that Phoenicians have affordable and easy access to the infrastructure needed to power a clean, all-electric future, and this plan puts us on track to do exactly that," said City Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari (Dist. 7). “We realize that there are currently many barriers to EV adoption, especially in low-income and underserved communities. This plan utilizes community input to address their needs."<br><br>Along with helping people move towards the use of EVs, the TEAP also guides homebuilders, developers, business owners, and employers on best practices to provide infrastructure for electric vehicle charging.<br><br>Finally, the plan lays out goals for the City of Phoenix to begin electrifying its own fleets, expand employee charging opportunities, and install at least 500 public charging stations by the year 2030.<br><br><p>“[This is] an ambitious plan, and will have many partners along the way," Gallego said. “The future of mobility is happening now in Phoenix, and we are investing to be top-in-the-nation for a concentration of manufacturers and parts providers that will create quality jobs for our residents."<br></p><p></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Free Heat Relief Supplies Available to Community Organizations | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2379 | Environment & Sustainability | | 6/9/2022 7:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2379/Newsroom _OHRM_1.jpg | | Free Heat Relief Supplies Available to Community Organizations | <div class="ExternalClass1649ECD62B394A4CA747782B4CEC0253"><html>
<span style="font-size:12pt;"></span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">With temperatures already reaching beyond 110° for the first time this year, Phoenix's Office of Heat Response and Mitigation is teaming up with local nonprofit and charitable organizations to get heat relief supplies to the people who need them most.</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Organizations that conduct heat relief outreach efforts in Maricopa County are invited to request free heat relief supplies newly available from the City of Phoenix. Available items include supplies for individuals, such as hats, misters, and sunscreen, as well as supplies for organizations and facilities, including coolers, insulated backpacks, and wagons. Organizations are also invited to suggest additional items to be made available for community outreach. </span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">The City of Phoenix has already filled requests heat relief supplies from 18 different community organizations over the past week.</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">“Those organizations have been getting critical resources out to community members ahead of and during the first excessive heat wave of 2022," said Heat Response Director David Hondula.</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"> </span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Some of the supplies distributed include:</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><ul><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">More than 1800 insulated water bottles</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">More than 2000 wide-brimmed hats</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">More than 4500 spray sunscreens</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">More than 500 personal misters</span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">More than 4500 cooling towels</span></li></ul><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">The full list of available items, as well as terms of participation, are available on the <a target="_blank" href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=XGm5lg5PvUKK37p1V2A0a6WU0k7EIYRPpBJ3RtumS-dUN1VDWFBVVFMwUTBPTERGVlBUMjRNOERGTy4u">online request form</a>. Participating organizations should be prepared to comply with federal reporting requirements as coordinated by the City of Phoenix. </span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
</span><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"> </span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">
Click <a target="_blank" href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=XGm5lg5PvUKK37p1V2A0a6WU0k7EIYRPpBJ3RtumS-dUN1VDWFBVVFMwUTBPTERGVlBUMjRNOERGTy4u">HERE</a> to request supplies.</span><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Phoenix Awards Resilient & Sustainable Agriculture Grant to 6 Local Organizations | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2372 | Environment & Sustainability | | 6/7/2022 9:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2372/Newsroom _OEP_1 farm.jpg | | Phoenix Awards Resilient & Sustainable Agriculture Grant to 6 Local Organizations | <div class="ExternalClass6B7345E24EF14BCA8320761E82B97D73"><html>
After careful consideration and with
<a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/xJesM11pl4s?t=661">
approval from City Council</a>, the Office of Environmental Programs has selected
<a target="_blank" href="/oep/food-grants">
six community organizations</a> to receive the
<a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/environmental-programs/2267">
Resilient & Sustainable Agriculture Grant</a>. These private and nonprofit farms are working toward a more sustainable, resilient, equitable, and thriving food system:
<br>
<ul>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foodforestco-op.com/">
The Food Forest Cooperative
</a>
,
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">located at Spaces of Opportunity in South Phoenix, will use the grant funds to make their burgeoning food forest more resilient against extreme summer temperatures</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">,</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> and to increase their ability to sell new products locally. Purchases include</span> <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">a greenhouse, shade infrastructure, sola</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">r</span>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">pump, water tank, signage, pathway supplies, and stipends.</span>
</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/">
Society of St. Vincent de Paul</a>
<span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">will use the grant funds to install seasonal shade structures at two existing South Phoenix urban farms, which will extend the growing season, enhance soil biology, and provide free, fresh food to food-insecure and low-income community members and people experiencing homelessness.</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span>
</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="http://mayasfarm.com/">
Maya's Farm</a>,
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">a 3.3-acre farm in South Phoenix, will use the grant funds to develop a soil and agroforestry project designed to improve overall soil health and fertility, increase shade, reduce the impacts of extreme heat on crops, lower energy costs, and help conserve water.</span>
</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://creightoncommunityfoundation.org/">
Creighton Community Foundation</a>, <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">located in East Central Phoenix,</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> will use the grant funds to support expansion of an urban farm focused on regenerative, low-resource, and environmentally tolerant gardening technologies that integrate renewable energy, composting, and aquaponics</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">.</span>
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> Purchases will include construction materials, farm startup supplies, tools, rentals, and funds for a Master Gardener.</span>
</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/yobroaz/">
YoBro Farms</a>,
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">a small farm in West Phoenix, will expand its mushroom growing business by implementing an outdoor, solar-powered, vertical mushroom farming system. Purchases will include photovoltaic supplies, a shed, air conditioning units, production and operations supplies, sales equipment, and materials.</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://recycledcity.com/">
Recycled City, LLC
</a>
,
<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">a composting operation and farm in South Phoenix, will offer composting services and a fresh produce farm box for 38 weeks to 26 households located in food deserts in South Phoenix.</span>
<span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
<br>
</li>
</ul>
The City of Phoenix received 32 applications for the $245,000 available in the grant. The funds come from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) as part of the City's food assistance plan to address the food needs of vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19.<br><br>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Applications open for next cohort of Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training Program | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2359 | Environment & Sustainability | | 5/27/2022 9:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2359/Newsroom _OEP_001.jpg | https://youtu.be/4amhUQNxkr4 | Applications open for next cohort of Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training Program | <div class="ExternalClassAA8AC528361B45F59A06825833CE2F45"><html>
<p></p>The City of Phoenix is once again accepting applications for entrepreneurs who want to take part in the <a href="/oep/food-training" target="_blank">Sustainable Cooperative Food Business Training Program </a> The 10-week course, taught by Thrive Consultancy, Inc. in partnership with the ASU School of Sustainability, 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>Stella McPhee, a farmer of 15 years, came into the Spring 2022 cohort looking for a way to help her 'incubator' (beginning) farmers market their products.<br><br>"It was just a luck opportunity to meet some wonderful people, like-minded people who share the same values," she said, referring to her now-partners in their eventual co-op, Kendra Branham and Elizabeth Ferguson. Now McPhee is excited about not having to bear the weight of farming on her own shoulders alone.<br><br>"When you're doing a cooperative, everybody's sharing the responsibility on their shoulders and so we can problem solve. We can help each other," she said. "It's a really nice way to have some more income coming in where it's not just all you by yourself."<br><br>Ferguson recently graduated with a master's in landscape architecture, and has farming in her family background.<br><br>"I didn't know them at all; we were total strangers," she said of Branham and McPhee. "But we just happened to get along really well, thankfully."<br><br>Ferguson came away with the business know-how to start getting things off the ground.<br><br>"The biggest thing for me... is not really knowing how to get started with a business plan, how to have a business plan to present to get funding, how to create a budget," she said. "And those are all things that [the training program] taught us to do ourselves."<br><br>Branham is a self-described plant nerd who is taking her passion to the next level and looks up to her co-op partners as mentors in the farming process.<br><br>"We're out here, we're in the sun, I'm with somebody who has a lot of knowledge and is actually just excited to share. It really kind of helps enrichen the experience," she said.<br><br>The group is still looking for 2 more people to help them reach cooperative status in Arizona. <br><br><p>The city of Phoenix is funding the upcoming spring cohort, which runs from June 14 to August 18, 2022, for up to 25 applicants. Training sessions will be held in downtown Phoenix each Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7 pm. While there is no charge for accepted participants, they are required to commit to full participation and completion of the program. The <a href="https://www.thriveconsultancyinc.com/training-program" target="_blank">application</a> deadline is June 5, 2022.<br></p><p><br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | Video | environmental-programs |
| Phoenix Plants First Cool Corridor at Cesar Chavez Park | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/2321 | Environment & Sustainability | | 4/22/2022 5:45:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2321/IMG_0656.JPG | https://youtu.be/5mxNQHBqzIo | Phoenix Plants First Cool Corridor at Cesar Chavez Park | <div class="ExternalClass2E727B13B899460D8D9F8F9EB213A579"><html>
<p></p>Phoenix is helping to cool neighborhoods and increase social equity, one tree at a time. Mayor Kate Gallego, the City's <a target="_blank" href="/heat">Office of Heat Response and Mitigation</a> (also known as HeatReadyPHX), along with the nation's oldest conservation non-profit, American Forests, began a new era of urban tree canopy growth with the planting of the city's first Cool Corridor on Saturday, April 16.<br><br>“With today's planting of more than 250 trees in the city's first Cool Corridor, we mark an important milestone toward our goal of 100 Cool Corridors by 2030," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “With American Forests and private sector partners, we're proud to prioritize investment in low-income and heat vulnerable neighborhoods. This corridor models the vision for tree equity and will serve students walking to and from nearby schools, public transit riders, and residents in this community."<br><br>Gallego helped plant one of the 259 new trees along Baseline Road at Cesar Chavez Park. More than 100 volunteers joined in planting Elm, Ash, Sissoo, and Chinese Pistache -- all drought-resistant, Phoenix-native trees.<br><br>The creation of a Cool Corridor marks a major milestone in the city's national partnership with American Forests, as well as Phoenix's Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable.<br><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.americanforests.org">American Forests</a> is dedicated to using forest preservation and reforestation to slow climate change and advance social equity. The organization's President and CEO Jad Daley also helped plant a tree to kick off the event.<br><br>“Phoenix is stepping up to ensure all people, regardless of race or income level, get access to the life-saving benefits of trees," said Daley. “This successful partnership between local government, passionate citizens and the private sector is exactly what we'd like to see in every city across America."<br><br>Cool corridors -- high-traffic walkways and roads shaded with trees -- are one of the ways HeatReadyPHX is working to provide relief from hot weather and increase Tree Equity. Achieving Tree Equity, according to the American Forests definition of the term, ensures that all people can experience the health, social, economic, and environmental benefits that trees provide.<br><br>American Forests' Tree Equity Score – an online map tool that measures the amount of tree canopy in all 150,000 urbanized neighborhoods across the United States – shows that the neighborhoods with the fewest trees are too often communities of color and economically disadvantaged.<br><br>This month marks one year since Phoenix became the first American city to pledge Tree Equity by entering into a five-year partnership with American Forests to implement a strategic, data-driven planting and preservation plan.<br><br>In the last year, American Forests has raised more than $325,000 for tree planting efforts on behalf of the city. Significant funding for Saturday's event came from Aspiration, IHeartMedia, and Salesforce. HeatReadyPHX is also working closely with Neighborhood Services, the Street Transportation Department, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation to make the planting possible.<br><br><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on Tree Equity or the American Forests partnership with Phoenix, please visit treeequityscore.org.<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"></span></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | Video | environmental-programs |
