Soul Earth Gardens

 Women in agriculture also face many challenges and constraints, such as limited access to land, credit, inputs, technology, education, and markets. These barriers affect their productivity, income, and empowerment. To address these issues, various initiatives and programs have been developed to support and empower women in agriculture, such as providing them with training, resources, networks, and leadership opportunities. Women in agriculture have a potential to contribute to the sustainable development of their communities and countries if they are given equal opportunities and rights.

When scaling women in agricultural, they make up 43% of the global agricultural labor force, yet they face significant discrimination when it comes to land and livestock ownership, equal pay, participation in decision-making entities and access to credit and financial services.

Many people and households with food insecurity at some point during the year, are with uncertainness of having or are unable to get enough food because of lack of money or other resources, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2020, 38,3 million lived in food-insecure households.

The factor contributing to the problems is an edible landscape that's of urban agriculture that integrates edible plants such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts into the design of public or private spaces¹. Edible landscapes can contribute to food security by providing free fresh and local food in the community, especially for low-income families who struggle with access to healthy and affordable food. Edible landscapes can also reduce dependence on food imports, lower food transportation costs and emissions, and create green spaces that enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services.

  Food insecure in Lenoir County is 3,600. 28% children under 18 are food insecure in Lenoir County. 9,16790% children receiving free/reduced school meals in Lenoir County. We need all edible landscapes on school campus, community gardens, senior citizens housing and edible landscape parks. There is only 7 grocery stores in our community, Serving a population without public transportation.

On a larger scale Eight Hundred million people in the developing world currently face food insecurity, and the challenge of meeting their food and nutrition needs is likely to become greater in the years ahead. One untapped source of agricultural growth, edible landscaping will help meet these needs. 

 My solution is a edible landscape that includes vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, berries, and flowers. Edible landscaping can be done in different scales and styles, from adding a few herbs to creating a food forest. It can offer mental and physical health benefits such as connecting with your food, enjoying a delicious harvest, and creating a livable retreat for the people and the planet.  Edible landscapes expand the function of urban landscapes, especially in enhancing social cohesion and quality of life, which offers a key strategy for sustainable, livable, and healthy urban development.      Exercise – physical activity improves your endurance, strength, mobility and flexibility. relaxation – helps you relax and reduce stress levels. fresh food – provides you and your family with a healthy source of inexpensive fresh food. When was the last time or the first time you pick a fruit from its trees.

Edible landscaping relates to science, technology, engineering, and math in many ways. Here are some examples:

• Science: Edible landscaping involves understanding the biology and ecology of plants, soil, insects, and microorganisms. It also requires knowledge of plant nutrition, pest management, water conservation, and climate adaptation.
• Technology: Edible landscaping can use various tools and techniques to enhance plant growth and productivity, such as drip irrigation, mulching, composting, pruning, grafting, trellising, and harvesting. It can also involve using digital devices and apps to monitor plant health, track weather patterns, plan garden layouts, and identify pests and diseases.
• Engineering: Edible landscaping can involve designing and building structures and systems to support plant growth and function, such as raised beds, greenhouses, cold frames, rain barrels, aquaponics, vertical gardens, and solar panels.
• Math: Edible landscaping can involve applying mathematical concepts and skills to measure, calculate, estimate, and analyze various aspects of plant growth and yield, such as area, volume, length, weight, density, ratio, proportion, percentage, rate, slope, angle, graphing, statistics, and probability.

The solution serves the people, the climate and Mother Earth.  it also lower food costs. Many crops cost less to grow at home than they do to buy in stores, especially if you keep them organic. A community garden offers fresh foods in walking distance and Increased food security. Its less reliant on store-bought food, but you will also be able to preserve some of the harvest to enjoy over the cold winter months.

 Who are they?  We find that food insecurity rates and related measures of food hardship are elevated for all groups, and there is some evidence they have improved in recent weeks among White households. Also, there is additional household economic measures.  Blacks and Hispanics are worried about their incomes and ability to afford the goods they need over the next four weeks. Together, these indicators paint a picture of substantial and disparate economic hardship for all people during the COVID-19 era. The target population we are serving is the planet earth.

We clearly understand the needs of the people. Edible landscapes provide a series of benefits for the sustainable development of a city, their development has become a fashion which has stimulated research in Science, Technology. However, there is a need for a comprehensive, integrated, literature review, to increase people's knowledge of edible landscapes for a sustainable future.

 and how are you engaging them as you develop the solution? 

I am, from the Dirt, Team leader is well position because of her passion, her open-minded thoughts are connected with Mother Earth and she knows of the treasures that come from the Dirt. This challenge has taught the team about STEM and what the solution could mean to a community and if replicated it could have a huge impact on the world. My team are the right people to design and deliver this solution to the target population. We live, work and play with this population. We are the people and a major part of the population. We are the right team because we practice our craft and live by it. We are the right team because we are the only team that has started the only edible landscape park within the population of Lenoir County in which is 55,949 people. Now, that makes our team special. Another thing that makes the edible landscape park a great innovated ideal it is open for the community to view and participate in the programs that sparks new participant, new audience and add to the educational resources that we hope to bring alone with our winning Solutions. This is the Challenges. 

The team leader and the team representatives of our communities live in theses environment. The team leader has experienced the problem. live in the problem and is somewhat already a Food Missionary person. We work with the Food Pantry, We give free rides for voting, we volunteer to transport food to the Food Desserts We partake in Feed the Children programs. We prepare hot meals for our neighbors. We have two small farms and gardens that is producing fresh produce.  We are you understand the needs of those we are serving because we are them. Therefore, they are already engaged and assisting the team with a Solution to food insecurities and women in agriculture. serving, and how are you engaging them as you develop the solution? We are the community that is in need of this Solution. We need for it to spread like Kudzu. This is a fast-growing edible vine.

Women in agricultural / Editable Lanscaping is the new innovative way of solving food insecurities.

With all the programs that the 1901 Building Group mission is to promote, protect and preserve, history, arts and cultural economics for all people,

The programs hosted in a five-year span alone with the history of the team leader, D, Choci Gray, the estimated number in person would be 100,000 or more. The Technical audience could be a million or more. We have been using STEM all along and honestly did not have a clue as to what it meant,

The Soul Earth Garden Park project numbers are not honestly known because of the early stage of development, but the project number of audience being aware and educated by of this project is estimated to be the number of the populational for Lenoir County is 55,12K

Thank you,

We are applying because this great opportunity was sent directly to our team leader,

Our specific financial needs for are deeply rooted in our history and have been excluded historically. MIT SOLVE offers a creative, financial avenue just in time and right on time opportunity to fund our vision and our solution while educating our team with the Science. Technology, Engineering and Math. This could make our Solution and answer to food insecurities and breaking down market barriers that we face.

 Our vision and hopes are to continue our mission with the assistance and resources that Solve and Tiger Global Impact Ventures offers, such as focused ventures, with women in technology, grants opportunities like this one, qualify for loans or credit products, and receive equity base funding for our solution We need the STEM field to effectively design our solutions. The needs of cultural economic development is a must to move more efficiently in this society especially when breaking down barriers.

Winning this opportunity would break down historical barriers and created news avenues for a better future for all people. This is how we can be helped. Thank you

 Gray is the team leader. She is well connected to her community and across the state of North Carolinas. She volunteers with the food banks, Ride people to vote. Volunteers with Feed the Children, Free Rides to Vote for Super Seniors' citizens 

Please see some of links below to learn about D, Choci Gray her community works. 

  Bringing Back the Funk | NC DNCR (ncdcr.gov)

 Visit the ‘Front Porch’ and enter the storytelling experience — Neuse 

Mike Parker: Chitlin’ Circuit: Papa got his brand-new bag – in Kinston — Neuse News                                                   

 Art Mural Honors Kinston Minority Heroes (spectrumlocalnews.com)

Maceo Parker of Kinston receives North Carolina Heritage Award (witn.com)

1901 Building Group receives funding for Front Porch series — Neuse News

The Demon Pirate of Carolina: Pearson, Faith D.S.: 9781534851047: Amazon.com: Books

choci gray — News — Neuse News

Food forests and edible landscapes are innovative ways enhancing biodiversity, soil healing, and human well-being. They mimic natural ecosystems by combining different layers of plants, from trees and shrubs to herbs and groundcovers, that provide food, medicine, fuel, and other benefits.

 Based on edible landscapes expanding the functions of urban landscapes while enhancing social cohesion and quality of life, which offers a key strategy for sustainable, livable, and healthy urban development. This is what makes our solution innovative. The project could be interjected on school grounds, college campuses, hospitals grounds, prison grounds and Innercity landscaping.

The Soul Earth Garden Park (SEGP) edible garden project began in 2022 by planting blueberry fields, apple, pear, peach, lemon, and palm trees among seedling long leaf pines.  Our project goal is to complete installation of this food forest by next year (2024).  SEGP has employed professionals to draft and complete a site plan by next year. Volunteers consisting of professional farmers, gardeners, and artists have begun and expect to complete installation of all planting materials by 2024.

The five-year goal includes a complete harvest of the SEGP with the first "Free Food Festival" (2028).  By that time, the orchard will be producing completely mature fruit. This event will encourage locals, tourists, and farmers to have a venue to harvest on-site and give away fresh and in season fruits and vegetables on a first come, first serve basis.  Within five years the long leaf pine trees will yield needles for tea and free pine straw.

For the next five years SEGP will also spread the word about edible landscaping through social media and how it can have a positive impact on health, happiness, and the ecosystem.  The project expects to maintain these goals for next five years to sustain our progress. Along the way we expect to attract financial partners, more participants, in order to reach a bigger audience, particularly educators in STEM. We want our solution to help solve all food disparities and awaken the masses to the power of planting a seed for future resources and productions of mass food produce.  The local community remains a priority. 

Since 2022 Soul Earth Garden Park has targeted each year with sustainable goals.  These goals include:  

2022:  Secure site, create a team, and complete site evaluation

2023:  Complete site planning and complete installation of border fence, palm trees, and long leaf pine trees (grass stage)

2024:  Complete installation of blueberry field, fruit trees, and perennials

2025:  Expect first full harvest of blueberry fields and completion of fall salad patch

2026:  Create "Free Food Festival" planning team, harvest first palm seeds, and complete exhibit kiosks 

2027:  Complete planning for the inaugural "Free Food Festival", harvest lemon trees

2028:  Inaugural "Free Food Festival"; First full harvest of apple, peach, and pear trees; 5,000 Facebook followers 

The SEGP has set the aforementioned incremental goals for planting, harvesting, and producing a free and open to the public festival within the next five years.  As a whole, the SEGP project is especially aimed at putting a dent in the food insecurity during the summer, a time when many students go without proper nutrition.  

As of June 2023 the SEGP has completed the border fence ahead of time and on budget.  The project is on target to complete planting of fruit orchard.  SEGP has completed installation of the blueberry fields.  One indicator that we are on a good production schedule is the present yield and consumption of blueberries by random people and wildlife.

The project has been in contact with palm tree consultant to have planting materials secured and installed by fall 2023.   The 1901 Building Group has kept contact information for all volunteers and professionals to begin and continue evaluating the process and SEGP project.

The Soul Earth Garden project has had an immediate impact on the local Kinston and Lenoir County community.  It is the last parcel located along the citywide Pearson Park Trail.  The planning, planting, and actual aesthetic improvement of the site has drawn interest seekers who are walking along the trail.  These citizens have noticed the gradual improvement that SEGP has contributed toward the completion of Pearson Park- the city's multi-year project to beautify and improve the environment.  

Local volunteers have been attracted to the SEGP to lend their individual talents toward the goals of the project.  Some of the participants have also been invited to participate in the planning and implementation of the last park on the river trail through the city.

On a state and national level, the SEGP is located on the site of the ancient Neusiok Indigenous People.  The SEGP edible gardens are designed to imitate the natural "Garden of Eden" of blueberries, wild peaches, and palms that once existed among the long leaf pines.  The SEGP is situated on the Neuse River along the Mountain to Sea Trail extending from the Appalachians to the Atlantic Ocean.  

The site is a natural landing for hikers, canoers, and kayakers to take a rest, eat some fruit, and repose before extending their journey to the sea.  SEGP will become a destination for everyone from local people, to farmers, to tourists. 

The Soul Earth Garden Park project has been designed by a nationally acclaimed African American landscape architect.  The design is based on the concept of xeriscape, and terraced using laser technology that fosters the retention of water.  As the long leaf pine trees mature, the SEGP team has calculated the increased straw will also help improve the PH balance of the soil, thus reducing the necessity for non-organic fertilizers and insecticides.  The long leaf pine forest planting located along the watershed of the property will help prevent soil erosion into the Neuse River.  The SEGP will help revive the river that was once counted among the most polluted in the United States.  Another expectation of the project is that once people partake in natural food selection then it will reduce demand for packaged plastic wrapped products that all too often end up in our rivers and oceans.

The SEGP team has also calculated that the project will contribute toward improving air quality.  As the gardens increase in size, scope, and density it will increase oxygen output exponentially as the food forest matures.  For each year of planting and harvesting, the SEGP project will apprentice students to help calculate optimal amounts of seed and planting that will produce optimum yields.  The SEGP project desired outcome will be to "deputize" students, apprentices, and others to replicate the project and outcomes.

The Soul Earth Garden Park project director is D. Choci Gray- Artist and Entrepreneur. (Full time)

The SEGP has been designed by Prof. Kofi Boone- North Carolina State University College of Design (contractor)

The SEGP agriculture specialist is Earl L. Ijames- Emmy Award winning historian, farmer, and curator of Agriculture and African American History at the North Carolina Museum of History (contractor)

SEGP site manager- Chris Gray (contractor)- systems maintenance, City of Kinston, NC

SEGP team leader- Mary Sanders- Educator, Lenoir County Schools

The Artist and Entrepreneur D. Choci Gray acquired the site in 2020 with the vision of creating an edible landscape to combat food insecurity.  The 1901 Building Group assembled the Soul Earth Garden Park team in fall 2021.  The SEGP team consists of D. Choci Gray; Kofi Boone; Earl L. Ijames; Chris Gray; and Mary Sanders.  The team has met monthly at the 1901 Building, 129 N. Queen St., Kinston, and at the SEGP site since 2021. In 2022 the SEGP team collaborated on a Z. Smith Reynolds grant and was awarded $30,000 toward the planned vision.

The Soul Earth Garden Park project leader is D. Choci Gray, an African American female artist and entrepreneur.  Ms. Gray is possibly the first African American female entrepreneur in the downtown historic district since the city of Kin(g)ston, NC was established in 1762.  Kinston is and has been a majority African American populated city.

Professor Kofi Boone is a renowned leader at the acclaimed College of Design at North Carolina State University.  Prof. Boone is among the first and most prestigious professionals, African American or otherwise, landscape designers in the United States.

Earl L. Ijames is currently the only African American curator of history in North Carolina.  As an agriculturalist and farmer his knowledge of native plants, animals, and long leaf ecosystems is sought throughout the nation.

Chris Gray is a multi-generational African American man with deep roots in Kinston and Lenoir County.  His knowledge of local sourcing materials and business contacts has been invaluable. 

Mary Sanders is an African American female with a long lineage in local area.  Ms. Sanders has been an educator in the Lenoir County School System for more than fifteen years.  She is an art instructor who has a wonderful rapport with students.  Before that time Mary Sanders was a fore(lady) on a sweet potato farm. 

The Soul Earth Garden Park project will provide free, healthy, and organic food options, especially for a marginalized populations in the local area.  These "customers", volunteers, will only be asked for a donation of money and/or time toward the goals of the initiative. These "customers" will also be the primary "beneficiaries" of the project.  Volunteers also will have first opportunity to rent lots to sell their locally grown produce.  Lenoir County has a generous number of African American and Indigenous farmers who could use this platform of business.  The increased productivity will help boost local and state gross domestic product.

The main product produced by SEGP will be an oasis space for artists, farmers, and gardeners- something priceless in today's fast-paced society.  That tangible product being locally sourced, minority produced, fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables available in season in a relative food desert.  Only one grocery store is located within the majority African American community of east Kinston.  That enterprise also charges money in exchange for the food.  Another product is the intangible benefit of better health and vitality to offset chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. 

An initial grant of $30,000 has help the SEGP project get started.  The project expects nominal dollar returns for the first five years, or until the full harvest and the inaugural "Free Food Festival ( FFF)".  By the time of the first FFF, the SEGP team expects to have a full complement of financial partners to have their corporate logos and signage as part of the border wall for an entire year, or until the subsequent FFF.  These sponsorships are worth up to $2,500 each and can total more than twenty partners. 

The Soul Earth Garden Park plans to create a public garden and marketplace, especially for marginalized communities.  The economy of the SEGP will increase over time as the garden itself become more mature.  Donations, rents, and financial partners will help sustain the project for the long term.

The Free Food Festival (FFF) will be an annual event with a sponsorship possibility of $50,000 each year, in addition to donations and rents.  The painting of partners on the border fence will over time become an event, and possible contracts, for future artists to do commercial work.

In short, the expected yearly expenses are $30,000.  The projected total annual income is $50,000 and does not include potential grants.  Any investment or partnership with MIT will go toward SEGP income and current projects as listed.  The 1901 Building Group will continue to research, pursue, and receive grant funding.

Soul Earth Garden Park has implemented a conservative, step by step vision that has contributed toward a more efficient process and improved results.  The first year of the SEGP project has been a resounding success.  The SEGP team has been gratified to get through the inaugural campaign on budget and on time.  Project director D. Choci Gray has assembled a winning and likeminded team.  She has skillfully and carefully cultivated the local community to buy into the project. Generous donors like Ms. Gray have also contributed toward the acquisition of the Soul Earth Garden Park riverfront location.  The site is currently debt free, with thousands of dollars in equity.  Currently, SEGP has received a Community Progress Fund award in the amount of $30,000 from the Z. Smith Reynolds foundation located in Winston Salem, NC.

As of June 2023, the 1901 Building Group has received thousands of dollars in monetary and in-kind support for the project from individuals and corporations, located in Kinston and outside of Lenoir County.  Each gathering of volunteers at SEGP brings in new "customers" eager to work, play, and eat in Soul Earth Garden Park.  Of course, the tangible and intangible benefits are priceless.  The volunteers and contractors who have been worked on the project so far are already experiencing better vibes, or health outcomes.  They are eager to re-sew into the concept with the expectation that the project will come to fruition, pun intended!