Cul2vate
Programs
Budget
$50,000.00
Description
Over 50% of the produce we grow is given away to help eradicate food deserts in Middle TN. We work with partner organizations to deliver fresh and nutritional food to underserved communities. Much of that produce is donated via partners such as OneGenAway, Mercy Chefs, The Nashville Food Project, The Branch, Second Harvest, and more.
Program Successes
As an example, by providing food to The Branch and Bellevue Community Food Bank, recipients of their food bank items also receive fresh produce. We help to provide a more well-rounded experience and dignity for people living in food deserts.
Beneficiaries
Economically disadvantaged people
Immigrants
Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated
Long-term Success
Over the years, Cul2vate has grown from producing 10.000 pounds of produce to 500,000 pounds estimated for 2024. By continuing to grow our urban farm footprint, even more fresh, nutritious produce can be distributed where it is needed most is a big part of our mission. It also gives a sense of purpose to the Cul2vators working on the farm. Long term, improving the health and wellness of people in need improves health and even schooling, helping to break the generational cycle food deserts bring.
Short-term Success
Short term, we are on track to provide over 250,000 meals to people in need in 2024. By continuing to increase our urban food footprint, we can make an even greater impact in this project.
Program Success Monitored By
We track produce grown, donated, sold, and where produce is going. This way, we can be sure to communicate with our partners to improve the types of produce their clients prefer.
Program Areas Served
Davidson County, Williamson County
$50,000.00
Description
Over 50% of the produce we grow is given away to help eradicate food deserts in Middle TN. We work with partner organizations to deliver fresh and nutritional food to underserved communities. Much of that produce is donated via partners such as OneGenAway, Mercy Chefs, The Nashville Food Project, The Branch, Second Harvest, and more.
Program Successes
As an example, by providing food to The Branch and Bellevue Community Food Bank, recipients of their food bank items also receive fresh produce. We help to provide a more well-rounded experience and dignity for people living in food deserts.
Beneficiaries
Economically disadvantaged people
Immigrants
Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated
Long-term Success
Over the years, Cul2vate has grown from producing 10.000 pounds of produce to 500,000 pounds estimated for 2024. By continuing to grow our urban farm footprint, even more fresh, nutritious produce can be distributed where it is needed most is a big part of our mission. It also gives a sense of purpose to the Cul2vators working on the farm. Long term, improving the health and wellness of people in need improves health and even schooling, helping to break the generational cycle food deserts bring.
Short-term Success
Short term, we are on track to provide over 250,000 meals to people in need in 2024. By continuing to increase our urban food footprint, we can make an even greater impact in this project.
Program Success Monitored By
We track produce grown, donated, sold, and where produce is going. This way, we can be sure to communicate with our partners to improve the types of produce their clients prefer.
Program Areas Served
Davidson County, Williamson County
Budget
$690,000.00
Description
Cul2vate employs and trains people in need of a second chance - many of whom are out of incarceration or in recovery. After helping them build skills in farming, life skills, and job readiness, we seek to help them find their next steps, whether that is other part-time employment, missionary work, or full-time employment. Industry experts are brought in to provide training in everything from crop planning to forestry to personal finance. To date, Cul2vate has hired 4 Cul2vators who are now on staff. Many graduates have gone into other nonprofit work, to full time employment in hospitality, and more.
Program Successes
Currently, 4 staff members are Cul2vate graduates. Our Farm Manager, Jimmy, spent 22 years in prison and now runs our farm, grows and leads current Cul2vators, and continues to improve as a manager. Adam is the Coordinator of Retail and Food Safety. He has improved in the at role, and our Farm Store is more successful than ever this year. Josh, Adam's assistant, continues to work hard, mentor current Cul2vators, and is growing in his responsibly and even in his literacy.
We also have graduates who work at partner organizations - Men of Valor, Narrow Gate, and more. One graduate now runs his own nonprofit with his wife in the Philippines. Seeing graduates continue to do good works is a great measure of success.
Beneficiaries
People with substance use disorder
Formerly incarcerated people & incarcerated people
Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated
Long-term Success
The biggest long term success we have seen with Cul2vators is the incredible way they return to and support Cul2vate. Cul2vate Graduates have recommended new Cul2vators, and many attend graduations and meetings to remain a part of the Cul2vate Community. By providing examples and mentorship to new and upcoming Cul2vators, Graduates have become incredible advocates for what they have learned and how they have grown from Cul2vate.
Short-term Success
Short term, our current Cul2vators are exceptional and have become friends. It has truly been a blessing to hear stories of people who would not be friends had they not come to Cul2vate. Being able to surround Cul2vators with community and encouragement serves to compel them to continue working hard - in the fields and on themselves.
Program Success Monitored By
Success is monitored by our staff. We are continually improving and engaging new mentors and resources for our Cul2vators. We measure success not by the graduation rate, but by the impact that Cul2vate has had in people's lives.
Program Areas Served
Davdison County, Williamson County
$690,000.00
Description
Cul2vate employs and trains people in need of a second chance - many of whom are out of incarceration or in recovery. After helping them build skills in farming, life skills, and job readiness, we seek to help them find their next steps, whether that is other part-time employment, missionary work, or full-time employment. Industry experts are brought in to provide training in everything from crop planning to forestry to personal finance. To date, Cul2vate has hired 4 Cul2vators who are now on staff. Many graduates have gone into other nonprofit work, to full time employment in hospitality, and more.
Program Successes
Currently, 4 staff members are Cul2vate graduates. Our Farm Manager, Jimmy, spent 22 years in prison and now runs our farm, grows and leads current Cul2vators, and continues to improve as a manager. Adam is the Coordinator of Retail and Food Safety. He has improved in the at role, and our Farm Store is more successful than ever this year. Josh, Adam's assistant, continues to work hard, mentor current Cul2vators, and is growing in his responsibly and even in his literacy.
We also have graduates who work at partner organizations - Men of Valor, Narrow Gate, and more. One graduate now runs his own nonprofit with his wife in the Philippines. Seeing graduates continue to do good works is a great measure of success.
Beneficiaries
People with substance use disorder
Formerly incarcerated people & incarcerated people
Unemployed, Underemployed, Dislocated
Long-term Success
The biggest long term success we have seen with Cul2vators is the incredible way they return to and support Cul2vate. Cul2vate Graduates have recommended new Cul2vators, and many attend graduations and meetings to remain a part of the Cul2vate Community. By providing examples and mentorship to new and upcoming Cul2vators, Graduates have become incredible advocates for what they have learned and how they have grown from Cul2vate.
Short-term Success
Short term, our current Cul2vators are exceptional and have become friends. It has truly been a blessing to hear stories of people who would not be friends had they not come to Cul2vate. Being able to surround Cul2vators with community and encouragement serves to compel them to continue working hard - in the fields and on themselves.
Program Success Monitored By
Success is monitored by our staff. We are continually improving and engaging new mentors and resources for our Cul2vators. We measure success not by the graduation rate, but by the impact that Cul2vate has had in people's lives.
Program Areas Served
Davdison County, Williamson County
Budget
$30,000.00
Description
Individuals are trained in partnership with the UT Agricultural Extension services over the course of several weeks. Training includes farming basics, plant health, pest control, seedling propagation, crop planning and more. UT Ag Extension has even developed a Master Gardener-type training specifically for Cul2vate! Each Cul2vator also participates in Food Safety Training.
Program Successes
We recently began a partner garden with Deer Run Camps and Retreats. Not only were we able to help them start a garden, we also provided training to the person running and maintaining the garden on site. By providing the tools to partners outside of Cul2vate, we can continue to increase the number of farms and gardens where they are needed most. As the landscape of agriculture and food continues to change, supporting local agriculture is becoming more and more important.
Category
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition - Agriculture
Beneficiaries
People with substance use disorder
Economically disadvantaged people
Formerly incarcerated people & incarcerated people
Long-term Success
Long term, we have improved our training, have increased our number of students, and have even been able to include community stakeholders who would benefit from training. Several of our graduates have pursued careers in agriculture, have engaged with other food ministries, and several have also stayed on to continue working with Cul2vate.
Short-term Success
The relationship with UT Ag Extension has been invaluable. They have a wide range of expertise to help. As we continue to improve at growing food and running our own farm, we also provide hands-on training to supplement the instructor-led classes.
Program Success Monitored By
We monitor success by those going into agriculture, how many people received training, and how that training has been beneficial to them in their careers.
Program Areas Served
Davidson, Williamson Counties, TN
$30,000.00
Description
Individuals are trained in partnership with the UT Agricultural Extension services over the course of several weeks. Training includes farming basics, plant health, pest control, seedling propagation, crop planning and more. UT Ag Extension has even developed a Master Gardener-type training specifically for Cul2vate! Each Cul2vator also participates in Food Safety Training.
Program Successes
We recently began a partner garden with Deer Run Camps and Retreats. Not only were we able to help them start a garden, we also provided training to the person running and maintaining the garden on site. By providing the tools to partners outside of Cul2vate, we can continue to increase the number of farms and gardens where they are needed most. As the landscape of agriculture and food continues to change, supporting local agriculture is becoming more and more important.
Category
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition - Agriculture
Beneficiaries
People with substance use disorder
Economically disadvantaged people
Formerly incarcerated people & incarcerated people
Long-term Success
Long term, we have improved our training, have increased our number of students, and have even been able to include community stakeholders who would benefit from training. Several of our graduates have pursued careers in agriculture, have engaged with other food ministries, and several have also stayed on to continue working with Cul2vate.
Short-term Success
The relationship with UT Ag Extension has been invaluable. They have a wide range of expertise to help. As we continue to improve at growing food and running our own farm, we also provide hands-on training to supplement the instructor-led classes.
Program Success Monitored By
We monitor success by those going into agriculture, how many people received training, and how that training has been beneficial to them in their careers.
Program Areas Served
Davidson, Williamson Counties, TN
Description
Our mandate is to meet acute hunger needs both physically and spiritually. First and foremost, Cul2vate is a spiritual discipleship. By engaging physical hunger in order to address a spiritual hunger, the greatest unfed hunger in the world is met.
Program Areas Served
None
Our mandate is to meet acute hunger needs both physically and spiritually. First and foremost, Cul2vate is a spiritual discipleship. By engaging physical hunger in order to address a spiritual hunger, the greatest unfed hunger in the world is met.
Program Areas Served
None
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| Cul2vate faces two major challenges. (1) As Cul2vate continues to evolve, we realize that some people are ill equipped at home to prepare some of the vegetables that we grow. Going forward, we will strive to work with partners to provide the most nutritional and accessible produce for the populations resisting in food deserts. (2) People in recovery and coming out of incarceration face more and more barriers and challenges in reintegrating into society - from stigmas to legal issues to technology.. By providing community, work, training, and a network of employment partners, Cul2vate helps to restore dignity to people in need of a second chance. |
