Urban Veggucation, LLC

A Proposal To: Lowcountry Local First 2011 Femivore Award

July 8, 2011

2011 LLF Femivore Proposal - Edible Landscaping Services Submitted by Mrs. G. Jenkins

1.Pleasetellusaboutyourprojectanddescribehowitfitswithinone oftheabovecategories. MyprojectisaperfectfitfortheNOURISHcategoryasIplantostart andrunaforprofitediblelandscapeserviceinSENorthCharleston. Bytakingaroleinlocalfoodcultureasawomanofcolor,therewillbe positiveresultsthatfitothercategoriesofthisawardaswell. INSPIREForthepast4years,Ihavebeentheprimarygardenvolunteer forChicoraElementarySchool.Byearningincomepursingmypassion,I hopetoincreaseexcitementandawarenesswithinthestudentbody. Withmyexample,theycanenvisiongreenbusinessandurban agricultureasaviablecareeroption.WhileIplantocontinuevolunteer supportoftheChicoraElementarySchoolgarden,Iintendtofocuson instructingteacherstoleadengaginggardeningclassesthat complementclassroomtopics. GIVE by developing and helping implement a communitycentric public garden learning space in the Chicora Cherokee neighborhood. Alongwithservingastheprimarymarketingtoolformybusiness,Ialso hope to scout for talented neighborhood residents who have the interestanddrivetocollaborateasfutureemployees. How will being the recipient of the 2011 FEMIVORE Award be beneficialtoyourproject? Receivingthe2011LowcountryLocalFirstFemivoreAwardwill: Assistwithtraditionalstartupcostsassociatedwithnewbusiness(legal andaccountingfees;materialsandsupplyfees,etc.). Verify that my business plan is sound and improve my chances of receivingadditionalfunding(approx.$7,500)withreasonablerates. Jumpstarttheentrepreneurialspiritwithinmydaughterandboosther confidenceleveltoherpursueherownbusinessplans. Increaseawarenessandinterestingreenbusinessandserveasoneof thebusinessesthatreneweconomicopportunityinmyneighborhood.
Eyeonthebottomline:UrbanVeggucation willrentatruckwhenneededbutrelyona cargobikeandpersonalvehicletoeliminate traditionallandscapingexpenditures.Mrs. Jenkinswillalsokeepexpenseslowbyhaving familymembersassistheronaparttime basisandpersonallymaintainthebusiness websiteforlessthan$100annually.

ChickenCoopServicesmanagedflockforoutoftown clientandmodifiedcoopconditionsby: Liftingdryfeedbinoffthegroundtokeepfoodclean. Incorporatingcompostinthechickenrunsochickens couldtakedustbaths. Declutteringandshadingnestingspacetoimprove nightlyrestforhens.

What do you intend to achieve as a result of winningthisaward?

Project?
Iintendtoincreaseeconomicstabilityformy householdandmyneighborhood.Ialsoplan todemonstratethatminorityandlowincome business owners can be competitive by creating a niche market, continually reinvesting in the business for long term successanddeliveringworldclassservice.
UrbanVeggucation,LLC Mrs.GermaineJenkins,Owner POBox22194 Charleston,SC29413 P8432768552 F8436283540 Egermaine.jenkins@gmail.com
Urban Veggucation will either have its own domain or be a sub-domain of my current website, www.germainesolutions.com.

2011 LLF Femivore Proposal - Edible Landscaping Services Submitted by Mrs. G. Jenkins

2.Tellusaboutthespecificdetailsofyourproject. UrbanVeggucation,LLC'spurposeistoimproveaccesstolocallygrown freshproducebygrowingfoodwherethefoodwillbeconsumed.Our mission is to transform underutilized spaces using sustainable urban agriculture practices; turn local food and landscape waste into soil; and, transform an inner city food desert into a sustainable hub of greeneconomy.Wewillprovideprofessionalediblelandscapeservices for residential, commercial and municipal clients. While urban landscaping is commonly associated with residential settings, we believethatediblelandscapingcanoffercommercialclientsalowcost amenity for employees or tenants. In addition, easy access to fresh produce can help improve the overall health of employees and subsequently reduce health care costs. Unlike traditional landscaping services, edible landscaping is not seasonal. The Lowcountrys mild winter climate makes it possible to deliver edible landscaping and xeriscapingservicestwelvemonthsoutoftheyear. UrbanVeggucation,LLCisasustainable greenbusiness.We willkeep business expenses low and retain an edge over competition by choosing to use hand, electric, and pedal powered tools whenever possible and reuse local and discarded materials in all of our landscapingprojects.Ourservicesinclude: Ediblelandscapingservices(large,smallandverticalbeds)tailoredto theclientspreferencesandspaceavailability.Eachbedwillhavea uniquethemesoupandsalad;pizzaandpasta;internationalbeds Asian stir fry beds, Hispanic herb and salsa beds, Indian curry beds,etc.;Antioxidant,omega3andanticancerbeds;herbsand tea beds; and garlic beds; etc. services inspired by techniques from Lolo Houbeins book, One Magic Square: The Easy Organic WaytoGrow YourOwnFoodandEliotColemans book, The New OrganicGrower Chickencoopservices oDesignandinstallation,includingacquiring2hens oLivestockcareservices oSellsanitarywateringsystems oMaintenance/cleaning oCooprenovationservices Xeriscaping(lawnremoval)servicesforsmallandlargespaces Compostservicesdesignandinstallation Sellexoticherbs Isthereabusinessplaninplace? The USC Small Business Development Center has helped develop my business plan for the last six months. Based on their advice, I have broadenedmyserviceofferings(seeabove)toensurethatthebusiness maintainspositivecashflow. Howwillyoumonitorthesuccessofyourproject and what are beginning and end dates of the project? Does your project need ongoing funding? If so, where do you plan to obtain this? The financial success of the business will be basedonthedetailedprofitandlossandcash flow projections in my business plan. A local CPA firm will help me set up my accounting software and meet with me in the early monthstomakesureitisproperlymaintained. The Food Service Management degree I earned from Johnson & Wales University offered intensive focus on business analysis, including Macro and Microeconomics, Business and Human Resource Law, Total Quality Management (improved processes) and Strategic Management (environmental analysis, strategy formulation, strategy implementationandevaluationandcontrolof companies). I will implement the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Program modeltokeepthebusinesssuccessful. [Malcolm Baldrige] Criteria help businesses
achieveandsustainthehighestnationallevelsof: customersatisfactionandengagement product and service outcomes, and process efficiency workforcesatisfactionandengagement revenueandmarketshare socialresponsibility

This business will be ongoing and will require additional startup funds (approximately $7,500). I am working with the USC Small Business Development Center to identify potentiallenders.

Whatkeymilestonesdoyouhopetoaccomplish in 20112012? What other milestones do you hopetomeetbeyond2012?

I plan hone my urban agriculture skills by participating in Growing Powers Community Food System From the Ground Up Workshops in the winter of 2012. In the future, I will become a certified minority business to subcontract for larger landscape businesses and apply for government contracts.