The Farm at Lotus Village embodies true innovation by combining the cutting-edge, burgeoning technology of hydroponic growing, via the Greenery™ (2019, Freight Farms, Inc.), with trauma-informed, educational programming for children and paid work-training for youth and adults living at Lotus House.
The Farm affords a transparent, easy-to-understand lens into the seed-to-harvest lifecycle to serve as a vehicle for true farm-to-table nutrition while nurturing the next generation of farmers through therapeutic, enriching, hands-on work. Farm participants learn the basics of hydroponic gardening including harvesting, transplanting, seeding, food safety, maintenance and crop care, then deliver the 100% organic produce at peak freshness less than 100 yards away to our Culinary Center, where it is served in the daily salad bar at lunch and dinner and enjoyed by our 450+ guests. The Farm maximizes sustainability with automated software, LED lights and climate controls for a consistent harvest 365 days a year, and a closed-loop irrigation system using 95% less water than traditional agriculture.
Since the launch of our Farm in July 2019, we have grown thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables including a variety of lettuces; small root vegetables like radish and carrots; plentiful herbs like basil, parsley, dill, cilantro and sage; edible flowers like calendula and violas; and specialty greens like bok choy, sorrel and arugula. In addition to the Greenery, our Farm program includes our outdoor rooftop garden with soil-based seasonal crops where children can plant and play amidst the downtown Miami skyline. Everything grown in our garden spaces stays onsite for use in the Culinary Center and weekly cooking classes during the after-school program.
Retreat House and Conference Center
Casa San Carlos, Conference Center and Retreat House, Built by Missionaries of St. Charles – Scalabrinians Fathers, is a newly completed retreat house located in suburban Delray Beach, Florida, in the classic Spanish mission design, the property has all the modern amenities for complete vacation or retreat atmosphere.
The property is in a secluded location, but still convenient to Palm Beach International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale Airport. A recently opened shopping plaza, less than a mile from the house, offers a variety of stores for shopping, dining, movies, and in addition is within than eleven miles from the ocean and beaches.
Priests, sisters and laity are all welcomed to take advantage of this beautiful, relaxing facility. Within Casa San Carlos, you will find private room accommodations, including television, Wi-Fi service, food service, indoor dining room, and a chapel suitable for Masses. On the tropically landscaped grounds, you will have access to a walking path surrounding a lake, colorful gardens with benches, as well as a pool, Jacuzzi, patio and outdoor eating area, all under screening.
ABOUT US
Miami is, like, awesome, bro! We want all you creators, big-thinkers, and dreamers of our great city to prove it. And we’ll be giving away monthly grants, up to $1000, to help make that happen. The Awesome Foundation isn’t your average foundation. We’re not a charity and we’re not trying to make a profit. Awesome Foundation Miami’s board of trustees are a group of diverse locals ready to open our own wallets to make a positive impact in our community and promote its awesomeness. If you’ve got an idea and you need some support to take your initiative to the next level, you’ve come to the right place.
Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis and grants are up to $1,000. Apply for a grant today! Deadlines are the 15th of every month.
Some rough guidelines:
Joy and surprise: Does it make people smile? Will it make us laugh?
Innovation: Is it a totally new idea?
Staying power: Will it stick around after the money is gone?
Environmental impact: Needless waste is not awesome.
Impact: Does it help people? Does it increase happiness in Miami?
Bigness: Is there potential to reach a lot of people?
Value: Will the Foundation get good bang for its buck?
Local: How will this help the city of Miami?
We don’t typically fund:
Personal use: We think you’re really awesome, but we’re probably not going to just give you $1000 for a car/vacation/rent payment/home repair/pony… unless it’s the crucial component of a bigger project that also benefits others!
Charities and foundations: We’re primarily interested in funding projects or new ventures and not the continuation of an existing organization. If your organization still wants to apply, think of a specific, creative $1000 project that our money could go directly towards!
Vague causes: That is to say, the more specific you are in your application about what you’ll use the money for and why, the more likely we are to fund it! Good luck!