Months of hard work for our team paid off last Friday when we learned we'd been awarded the Klau Family Greatest Social Impact Award at Notre Dame's McCloskey Business Plan Competition!  We presented to a panel of judges Thursday morning, pitched at a Venture Fair Friday morning, and did a public presentation Friday afternoon.  An amazing whirlwind, and a terrific opportunity to get the word out about our venture, network, and meet fellow entrepreneurs!


We're a community-built venture, and that means the Klau Award represents the vision and efforts of so many collaborators from right here in our local community. 

We've been out on some fishy business lately.  We had  a great visit at Queen of Peace Parish and School in Mishawaka.  We  heard  they had an aquaponics greenhouse  up and running,  and they extended great hospitality to us and explained the details of their system.  Their fish grow in tanks alongside rafts where their vegetables grow.  The fish and their by-products nourish the plants they're growing - and the lettuce they're  growing looks terrific! Fr. Dan arranged our visit, and parishioners Mike and Mark told us about their experience running an aquaponics system during the past year.

"...I must refuse to insult the naked by giving them clothes they do not need instead of giving them work which they sorely need."  (Mahatma Gandhi, 10/13/21)

April is Autism Awareness Month, and we're enormously grateful  there's a month set aside for advocates to  educate and mobilize awareness about the strengths, talents, and challenges of those with autism!  But to truly stick,  we know that the work of autism awareness and action must go on daily and throughout the year.  Gandhi's quote gives a lot of food for thought.  Work, at its heart, is what fulfills and completes us, gives our lives meaning and direction, provides independence.  His point  awakens us to see the place of work for those who struggle with employment such as those with autism --  the need for an empowering "hands-up" approach instead of a solution that offers only handouts. 

What fantastic energy there was tonight at Start-Up Weekend ND! This evening's kick-off  gave budding entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their ideas to an audience, lobby for votes, and form teams around the 10 top ideas.  During the rest of the weekend, teams work round-the-clock to develop a business plan that projects customers, marketing, and financials.  For the entrepreneurially-minded, it's a fast-paced, thrilling weekend with a great chance to test ideas, hone skills,  and meet terrific  people who could become your mentor, colleague, or friend.

What an abundance of resources and potential collaborations we have in our region!  The South Bend community is making its mark as a place where initiatives in sustainability and entrepreneurship are flourishing.  Our local colleges and universities, the Center for a Sustainable Future, Unity Gardens, EnFocus, the Purple Porch Cooperative, and so many others are advocating for a more resilient, stronger community, and we are proud to join ranks with them.  And the agencies here taking the lead to advocate for those with disabilities -- Logan Center and Hannah and Friends -- have provided tremendous support and guidance to help Green Bridge Growers launch.