So Far, So GREAT!
Semester 1 has been completed by both my husband and myself. Hubby got straight A’s & I graduated the business management portion of my horticulture certification with a 98%!
Semester 2 starts Jan 10,l 2011 and we are very much looking forward to it. The end result is certainly a motivator-especially since my professor assures me complete gov’t funding for this endeavor. Besides that, the journey is quite pleasurable. We rather enjoy getting our minds inundated with knowledge with 2 rather intense course loads-and we both share our learning, so in fact we are both taking on twice the knowledge load.
We have set up quite a cozy routine as well. We get cozy in Pj’s, and bundle up under blankets & pets. I light scented candles & Glenn puts on the roger’s on Demand Classical station for background inspiration. He gets cozy on the lazy boy, I get cozy at my desk or on his laptop when he’s not using it. We sip fancy teas & eat easy but decadent food to feed our brains. Spending a minimum of 16 hrs a day seated and studying has made us FAT. Some sort of physical activity is a must for 2011!!!
We spent 2010 feeding our heads–and it has done wonders for us not only as individuals but even as a family unit. We have impressed ourselves, each other and our families only adding to the positive energy needed to manifest this goal!!!
Glenn most nights
Daniela most nights
Flourishing Garden Farm & The Green Economy
GREEN ECONOMY CRITERIA
I got some great feedback from my U of Guelph professor today, this is what he wrote me:
“I really do like this business idea and its almost the kind of business you see in the movies! I’m very happy to see that this kind of thinking is real and that there are those willing to help give others a second chance.
My first thought is that there is most certainly funding available to help you get starting. Talk to your MPP, MP and municipal reps as soon as possible to find out which divisions of government can help.
I find it ironic that you are going to produce medical herbs that help cure others while helping to heal your own employees! Pretty well thought out!
One flag that was raised when I read this summary was the involvement of schools. It’s important to speak with both the school board and your insurance company about this one as mixing youth with high-risk individuals is almost always an insurance nightmare (for both the schools and yourself). I’m not trying to discourage you, I’m just suggesting that you look into it. College/university students are no problem at all.
I love the music addition! Performers such as Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain and Kid Rock have done this very same thing in their own private country getaways!
Like I said, I look forward to seeing your plan develop and I hope I can help! Regards, David”
That was wonderful confirmation!
Glenn & I knew early on that when choosing a property, we had a lot of things to consider besides water and soil quality. For this particular venture, we need community & gov’t acceptance or they will have multiple ways to shut us down re: zoning, permits and a myriad of other red tape type bullshit at their disposal. Our plan has always been to approach gov’t first, and let them tell us where to build to avoid all the drama. From what my prof says, we were on the right track all along!
In terms of his insurance concerns with school tours–correct! We thought of that as well. This is where our discernment in choosing the right applicants fall into play. Working closely with Parole Officers will ensure that only those with compatible parole restrictions need apply, which should alleviate many community concerns. Also, when we say we wish to partner with schools as a teaching facility, we are leaning towards post-secondary institutions anyways–although highschool school tours would be fun if we can find a way that is safe for everyone. Although some of our applicants will be coming to us post-incarceration, we intend on this property being open as a preventative measure as well–getting high risk individuals BEFORE they fall into the system. We are accepting applicants suffering with substance abuse, poverty-homelessness, depression-life transition that are not necessarily in ‘the system.’ To re affirm, as with any prudent company, discernment in choosing staff is paramount! We are open to receiving applicants that are capable and productive that just require a stable platform to build a foundation on.
Glenn is learning through his studies that gov’t resources are being showered upon a new “green economy” that is predicted to lift us out of economic despair and i am grateful to be a part! Many think that “green business” means using recycled paper & donating to Greenpeace. Any green step is a good one, but to be considered a full participant in the green economy you must fulfill 3 criteria:
The Global Citizens Center, led by Kevin Danaher, defines green economy in terms of a “triple bottom line,” an economy concerned with being:[2]
- (1) Environmentally sustainable, based on the belief that our biosphere is a closed system with finite resources and a limited capacity for self-regulation and self-renewal. We depend on the earth’s natural resources, and therefore we must create an economic system that respects the integrity of ecosystems and ensures the resilience of life supporting systems.
- (2) Socially just, based on the belief that culture and human dignity are precious resources that, like our natural resources, require responsible stewardship to avoid their depletion. We must create a vibrant economic system that ensures all people have access to a decent standard of living and full opportunities for personal and social development.
- (3) Locally rooted, based on the belief that an authentic connection to place is the essential pre-condition to sustainability and justice. The Green Economy is a global aggregate of individual communities meeting the needs of its citizens through the responsible, local production and exchange of goods and services.
In the midst of the global economic crisis, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) called for a global Green New Deal according to which governments were encouraged to support its economic transformation to a greener economy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_economy
Flourishing Garden Farm intends on earning big gold stars on all 3 bottom lines!
Who says its not easy being green?????????????????????????????????????
http://www.peacefrogsfrankenmuth.com/whoarewe.php
Friends with the gov’t….me?????
As an activist, my only communication with gov’t is normally protests at Queens Park or by angry email/phone call. It wasn’t until my art became a business that I actualy communicated with Revenue Canada or Various Tax offices. I hated to admit how friendly and helpful they were.
I am now taking a David Suzuki approach and am now choosing to partner with the gov’t, to find mutually beneficial solutions to community problems. Once, I screamed for this type of service to be established by gov’t, and it never happened–actually, what little there was, Harper took away. I’m sick of screaming, and I’m sick of waiting. So instead I created the service myself, with the expectation that gov’t would assist me–and I’m right!
When I began this business plan, I was SO overwhelmed–and it was like the gov’t knew i would be. At the first stroke of my keyboard, I was flooded with gov’t information sites that laid it all out nice & neat. like this site: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/greenbus.htm
It seems these business ventures are being strongly encouraged by gov’t, and our philanthropic element only adds incentive for gov’t & corporate sponsorship. That’s quite motivating.
Then there are endeavors such as this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp979n502RM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
So my next quest is to network with like organizations to see if they have tips, advice etc.
Tonight I started working on the expense report for the business plan-the horticulture portion. I have a very clear understanding that next year my vacation days will be used up working on the business plans for each venture and not on the couch watching star trek!
ok, break over…time to do some number crunching!!!!!
where i spend most of my time these days lol
Hello world!
creation-thought, word & deed = manifestation!
With nothing more than a dynamic concept, my husband and I have decided to forge ahead in manifesting our life’s dream: A Philanthropic Sanctuary Homestead! Read more about our concept in the OUR PLAN section–tab at top of page.
We have decided to start blogging our journey from the very first steps, so that others who may be considering similar initiatives can learn from our successes & struggles along the way.
Once we had a concept in mind, we realized we both lacked the education required to pull this off intelligently. So, my husband is now enrolled at George Brown undergoing his certification as a Career Councellor. I am enrolled at The University Of Guelph being certified in Horticulture-Plants For Profit and will be certified conveniently around the same time as my husband.(about a year & a half)
In the meantime, I am working on our business plan–which is quite the endeavor! Our future property will host several diverse yet complimentary businesses under one Umbrella Farm. As such, I am required to do a mini-business plan for each section + a mother business plan that incorporates them all beautifully & efficiently.
Then I manifest the funding.
Then my trusted Realtor Antonella Talotta will have the arduous task of finding me the perfect property, in the perfect place, with the perfect zoning.
Imagine a property that housed:
Horticulture Company
Animal Sanctuary
Life Transition/Rehabilitation Residence-Employment Program
Art/Music Studio Recording Retreat
Private Retreats
A center for calm, peace and quiet reflection. A place that loves, nurtures and heals. A productive place, a safe place that nurtures growth and advancement.
The more energy and attention an idea gets, the easier it will manifest. We ask you for your best energy, please help us spread the word. With your energy support, many people and animals will get the love and support they need to make positive transitions and live wholesome abundant lives.
