Self-reliance...the power of entrepreneurship....collaboration...building the local economy by growing good food and good jobs.
These values are the foundation of Green Bridge Growers (GBG), a dynamic new social venture based in South Bend, Indiana, that will grow food using cutting-edge, sustainable farming methods such as aquaponics and extended-season harvests. We've launched our venture to contribute to the growing demand for healthy, local food, but we're also a business with powerful impact -- our farm has been created to employ young adults on the autism spectrum, who face a staggering 90% joblessness rate.
These values are the foundation of Green Bridge Growers (GBG), a dynamic new social venture based in South Bend, Indiana, that will grow food using cutting-edge, sustainable farming methods such as aquaponics and extended-season harvests. We've launched our venture to contribute to the growing demand for healthy, local food, but we're also a business with powerful impact -- our farm has been created to employ young adults on the autism spectrum, who face a staggering 90% joblessness rate.
We've had the opportunity to train in aquaponics the past several years, and Jan Pilarski, co-founder of GBG, was selected for this year's cohort for the Commercial Urban Agriculture Program at Milwaukee's Growing Power, with the opportunity to learn from the country's leading urban farmer, Will Allen. Aquaponics - the growing of fish and vegetables in a closed-loop system - provides numerous benefits, including year-round growing, quicker vegetable harvests because of the rich nutrients provided by the fish, and a requirement of 90% less water than traditional farming. We are excited by the potential of aquaponics to produce delicious, healthy food for our community.
The spark for GBG originated after Jan experienced the heartache of watching her son, Chris, graduate from college in 2010 and be unable to find work of any kind despite degrees in chemistry and environmental studies. It was evident that this was a broader problem affecting many others with autism here and throughout the country, and an entrepreneurial approach seemed key to combating this problem. As master gardeners with experience in organic farming, agroecology, and horticulture, Jan and Chris began last year to research and develop GBG as a social impact business. We have learned much from the meetings and focus groups we've conducted throughout the community the past several months, and that feedback strongly endorses the mission and aims of GBG, as well as the need for more quality local food.
We invite you to follow our progress as we launch our venture and get growing!
The spark for GBG originated after Jan experienced the heartache of watching her son, Chris, graduate from college in 2010 and be unable to find work of any kind despite degrees in chemistry and environmental studies. It was evident that this was a broader problem affecting many others with autism here and throughout the country, and an entrepreneurial approach seemed key to combating this problem. As master gardeners with experience in organic farming, agroecology, and horticulture, Jan and Chris began last year to research and develop GBG as a social impact business. We have learned much from the meetings and focus groups we've conducted throughout the community the past several months, and that feedback strongly endorses the mission and aims of GBG, as well as the need for more quality local food.
We invite you to follow our progress as we launch our venture and get growing!
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