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Ivy Young’s Story
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I am a single mother, aspiring organic farmer, and a proponent of all things sustainable, currently residing in beautiful Northern California. Before my son was born, I sought for a community where I could live, farm and raise my son in harmony with the earth. I looked for work on several family farms and each gave the same response, \”How will you work? Who will care for your son?\” I knew then that I had a task. There must be a place where single mothers and fathers can collaborate to grow food, sustain their lives, work and feel valuable and raise their own children. It was then that the idea of Mama Chakra was born. I truly believe that organic farming and healthy children are the cure for humanity\’s ails. In this imperfect world, I seek to build a sanctuary for these ideals. Because I have knowledge of organic farming practices, am a single mother myself and have experience as an educator, I believe I am destined for this task.
Mama Chakra, which will eventually become a self-sustaining organic farm and educational facility for single parents and their children, is in need of seed money. Mama Chakra needs funds to build community support, organize fundraising materials, build a website and develop a not-for-profit business plan. These materials will allow me to attract larger grants from foundations and individuals and in turn help procure or lease land, purchase seed and animals and construct needed facilities. The long-term goals of the project are to become self-sustaining through a community supported agriculture program. With time, I would love to use this project to help support school lunch programs and food rights awareness. Any money awarded at this time will go directly toward a broader fundraising campaign, research and development of a very clear business plan. This may be the most critical part of my venture as it will set the stage for the enormous task at hand. With a little momentum, this project will take flight. I cannot find record of another project like this and it is needed. Organic farming and food must become accessible to those who otherwise live in isolation from its bounty.
In 2010, 33% of children in California lived in a single-parent household. The demands on a single parent are enormous and have sadly resulted in more cases of child abuse and neglect in these homes. These are also the households in which nutrition is at its lowest due to this demographic’s propensity for purchasing inexpensive, processed foodstuffs. Mama Chakra would, through practicing and teaching organic farming and co-oping childcare, provide a sanctuary for single parents to learn, work, raise their children, live healthy lives and give back to the community. The experiences gained at Mama Chakra will resonate back into the broader community, eliciting interest in organic farming and sustainability amongst needy communities and local youth. As an added benefit, mothers and fathers who do not have to struggle through their children\’s first years of life are more likely to return to school, find jobs and become self-sufficient. Children raised in a loving community will take with them all the experiences of this love and then want to manifest it within society. We must provide the tools for people to build the future we believe in.
