Green Thumbs at Work 2016 Application

Transcription

1 Green Thumbs at Work 2016 Application Green Thumbs at Work Garden Grant Application Application Deadline: Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 The 2016 Green Thumbs at Work program provides funding and technical assistance for 12 workplace food gardens at sites all over the state. The grants are made possible by the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Community Garden Network in partnership with garden expert Charlie Nardozzi, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, and Gardener s Supply Company. Green Thumbs at Work grants are open to any Vermont business/ organization with fewer than 50 employees. The grants are for starting new gardens. In some cases, they may be used for expanding existing employee gardens. The primary purpose of the Green Thumbs at Work program is to improve employee wellness, specifically to provide a means of physical activity and stress reduction, increase access to fresh produce, and promote opportunities for other wellness activities. Employees must be the primary users of the garden and beneficiaries of the food. The garden site must be a smoke-free space. Green Thumbs at Work grants cover materials and technical assistance for new workplace food gardens. The gardens can be in-ground or raised beds. The total grant amount is $1,750, which includes $500 for materials, a $250 Gardener s Supply gift certificate, and $1,000 of garden planning support and technical assistance from Charlie Nardozzi and the Vermont Community Garden Network. Grantees are required to provide $250 in matching funds and $250 worth of materials or in-kind services for the garden project. Grant timeline: Application Deadline: January 29 Winners Announced: February 29 Vermont Worksite Wellness Conference: March 30 Garden Site Visits and Garden Planning Meetings: March/April Ongoing Technical Assistance: March through August Final Garden Report Due (photos, short online report, and garden budget report): September 30 The review team made up of project partners will select grant winners based on: 1) readiness to develop a workplace garden, including the existence of a wellness coordinator or wellness team, the ability to provide matching funds and in-kind services for garden development, and permission from landowner to establish gardens; 2) employee participation, including plans for employee engagement; and 3) clear articulation of how the garden will help meet employee wellness goals. If you have any questions about your application, contact Libby Weiland at libby@vcgn.org or (802) Click on the "Next" button to begin your application. Green Thumbs at Work 2016 Application

2 Grant Application * 1. Contact Information Contact Name: Business/ Organization Name: Address: City/Town: State: -- select state -- ZIP: County: Address: Phone Number: * 2. Business/ Organization Category: * 3. Describe your business/ organization in one paragraph. * 4. How many employees does your business/ organization have at the site? (This grant is only for businesses/ organizations with fewer than 50 employees.) * 5. Is contact person listed above the worksite wellness coordinator? If no, wellness coordinator name:

3 Green Thumbs at Work 2016 Application Garden Project The primary purpose of the Green Thumbs at Work program is to improve employee wellness, specifically to provide a means of physical activity and stress reduction, increase access to fresh produce, and promote opportunities for other wellness activities. The primary users of the garden and beneficiaries of the food must be the employees. The garden site must be a smoke-free space. * 6. The grants are for starting new gardens. In some cases, they may be used for expanding existing employee gardens. Is there currently a garden onsite? 7. If no, has there ever been a garden onsite, and what happened to it? If yes, explain why you want to expand the garden. * 8. Please describe the proposed garden site, including the area in square feet, general landscape, distance from building, and access to water. * 9. Has your company or organization's management (decision-makers) approved the installation of a garden? t Sure

4 * 10. Has the property owner approved the installation of a garden on the premises? Please note: Particularly if you organization/company does not own the property there may be additional approval processes needed. t Sure * 11. Is there an expressed interest among employees for a garden? t Sure * 12. How many employees do you think will participate in the garden on a regular basis? * 13. Will at least 3 employees be able to participate in a March/April Site Visit and Garden Planning Meeting with Charlie Nardozzi and Vermont Community garden Network staff? t Sure * 14. How will the garden help meet employee wellness goals? * 15. The grant award includes garden design technical assistance from Charlie Nardozzi and Vermont Community Garden Network staff. The types of things to consider in your planning include whether you will use raised beds or plant directly in the ground, whether the entire space will be shared or divided into plots for employee teams, and whether the food will be used for at-work meals or go home with employees. What do you envision for your garden?

5 * 16. How will you get employees at all levels of the organization involved with the garden? * 17. Matching funds are required to show commitment to the garden and ensure its sustainability. Is your business/ organization able to provide $250 in matching funds for the project and $250 worth of in-kind materials or labor? Comment: * 18. Green Thumbs at Work grants are for one year only. How do you plan to sustain the garden in future years? Green Thumbs at Work 2016 Application Worksite Wellness * 19. Does your business/ organization participate in the Vermont Department of Health Worksite Wellness Award Program? t Sure * 20. Does your business/ organization have an active wellness committee?, and we would like to establish one t Sure

6 * 21. Does your business/ organization offer incentives for employee participation in wellness programs? t Sure * 22. Does your business/ organization currently have any of the following? (check all that apply) Healthy food and beverage policies Tobacco free campus Refrigerators, microwaves, and break areas Help for employees to get 30 minutes of physical activity a day Support for local food initiatives Cooking or nutrition seminars Stress reduction activities Healthy vending program ne Other (please specify): * 23. What NEW wellness activities would you like to implement as part of the garden project? (check all that apply) Healthy food and beverage policies Tobacco free campus Refrigerators, microwaves, and break areas Help for employees to get 30 minutes of physical activity a day Support for local food initiatives Cooking or nutrition seminars Stress reduction activities Healthy vending program ne Other (please specify):

7 24. Additional comments: Green Thumbs at Work 2016 Application Please click "done" below to submit your application! Green Thumbs at Work grant winners will be notified on February 29, If you have any questions, contact Libby Weiland at the Vermont Community Garden Network, or (802) SAVE THE DATE: Vermont Worksite Wellness Conference and Governor s Council Awards March 30, 2016 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington More info at