In 2022 and from here on, this blog is a progress update and download of the positives and challenges of the next step of Feedback Organic.
Accelerating the delivery of circular economy based urban agriculture for local communities.
In less buzz words, it’s about getting the model we’ve piloted in Newcastle to more communities in Australia. Specifically, we’re looking at a number of, 12 communities in two years. This may or may not be realistic yet I’m putting positive productivism and networking forward to access new levels of cooperation in the world.
I’m finding that this level of cross industry networking is common for this transition yet also fabulous for developing professional capabilities and seeking reassurance from new mentors and industry legends that the path we’re on, is worth pursuing.
It’s been quite the journey from moving on from daily farm operations, to training new volunteers, letting them choose their form of workload and style, then ushering in a combined level of needed productivity with agency. Without everyone’s involvement from then, now and into the future – yep, you just can’t do it all yourself. Or you can give it a go, yet you’re just limiting yourself on a few fronts of self care, pressure and as a result, sticking to the course may look a little wiggly in the centre. Fundamentally, the best way of growing food’s future is together. Love that sentence.
I’ve added this picture of a new agenda for balancing Feedback Organic’s trajectory, my professional development, interests and my desire for visualising a path for ensuring it happens. This was put together at the family farm after listening to a book that came at the right time. A lot is happening at the family farm with new and older family members. It’s where I spend 3-4 days a fortnight to help it operate and help my sister. It’s all exciting and grounding yet it’s also needing structure to formalise where to put focus and where to allocate time to the new members of Feedback. Hi Christina!
This blog post is hoping to determine who the audience of this will be, what’s the structure and will there be an action or takeaway.
I think at this very moment, the audience varies yet focuses mainly on industry and network support. The journey I’m on atm is seeking mission aligned industry sponsors to support what we do and the vital stages of community engagement will come shortly yet we’re looking for this credible support before we move ahead.
2021 was a deep dive into what do we do to move to the next version of supporting this model. For us so far, it’s been about downloading all of the practical information we’ve learnt over the last 8 years, putting it into paper format, naming it a Prospectus and then realising that it’s more of an information booklet currently, but one awesome visual representation to present to interested parties.
This has been a significant project. It has taken most of the year in 2021 and cost more than expected.
The takeaway from these blog posts for others, is for more of the behind the scenes and background setting to understand that my background has helped having the circumstances of pre farm life, the 2021 network building and the focus of letting others know about what we do and seeing who we think will be a great addition for this next step.
Which.. To leave it for now and provide a snippet of the next stage.. Feedback Organic will shortly be converted into a DGR (deductible gift recipient) status Non Profit. Depending on more advice, and from researching other organisations forming a similar structure, we’re looking at the model of a social franchise auspiced under that Non Profit.
The decision was based on two motivations – experience, and DGR status and charitable status.
Experience we’re looking to build upon with the addition of at least 3 board members, a public officer and a secretary.
On that note, my next action is to line up 3-4 prospective board members just for this period of Non Profit set up and ask them to contribute to our constitution and our purpose led strategy.
Before my next post: I am to,
- organise board constitution meeting,
- finalise our theory of change,
- approve the last few tweaks to our new website (thanks so much dean) and
- deliver our newest innovation partnership with the EPA.
All pretty cool stuff.
Keep you posted – Dave 🙂
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