Funds Awarded by Exclusively Local Funders
January, 2019. Source One Serenity was awarded $16,000 to cover some expenses for preparing the launch of its social enterprise, a worm farm to manufacture worm castings with the use of food waste. All three funders are located in Roseburg, Douglas County.
Source One Serenity is thrilled to be a recipient of grant awards from three funders, the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, and the audience vote at the Roseburg Angel Investment Network (RAIN) Contest. The funds received will be used for purchasing blueprints for a worm digester to be welded, hiring an advisor for proof of concept, successful launch of operations and market entrance, and marketing materials. The primary goal of starting the social enterprise was to achieve a sustainable revenue model to fund outdoor activities for disabled veterans. We will use food waste, which will be converted through the worms’ specialized digestive system into a nutrient-rich fertilizer called vermicompost, or worm castings. Thus, the worm farm offers several benefits and opportunities including veteran’s employment, and recycling food waste. It also provides a solution for sustainable agriculture to restore our soil through natural/organic fertilizer, worm castings.
Source One Serenity started the test phase of operating vermicomposting in household bins with smallest possible investment of time and capital a year ago. We learned the vermicomposting process, the market and need for worm castings, which is a natural soil amendment. With positive results of the test phase and research, we entered the next phase of planning concerning start-up of the large-scale worm farm.
The Co-Founder of Source One Serenity, Elena Lininger said: “I do believe in the power of every heart in this community, how M. Williamson said: “In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.”
“We are grateful and humble to be recipients of these funds. We are honored to serve this community, and we know that all together we can make positive changes in our community. A worm farm, for us, is like lighting two candles with one flame, i.e. offering solutions to several issues such as recycling, serving our veterans, and restoring our soils.”
Source One Serenity is proud to have served more than 400 veterans since 2016 through fly fishing programs, fly tying classes at the Roseburg VA Medical Center and the Umpqua Valley Arts Association, and recently established a hiking program for women veterans.
About our Funders:
The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation is committed to the quality of life for people in the community within Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane counties. It was established in 1997 by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians which has a long time-honored tradition of giving to their communities.
The Ford Family Foundation was established in 1957 by Kenneth W. and Hallie E. Ford. Its mission is “successful citizens and vital rural communities” in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California.
The Roseburg Area Angel Investor Network (RAIN) was founded 6 years ago to invest into small businesses, developing a forum where small businesses can pitch their ideas at an annual conference. During the 2018 event it also offered an additional cash prize of up to $5,000 with the attendee’s casting their vote for their personal favorite. The funding for cash prizes were raised by the Umpqua Business Center.
About Source One Serenity:
Source One Serenity is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and it is located in Roseburg, Douglas County. Source One Serenity’s mission is to empower veterans to reclaim their sense of purpose through outdoor activities and land stewardship. Visit sourceoneserenity.wordpress.com or call 541-580-5655 for further information.
