19 Urban Mushroom Farm (Fungus)

Number of votes:
5,184

1. The Project in a Nutshell
: Promote sustainability and local food production by creating an urban mushroom farm for neighborhood residents

2. The objective of the “Cultivating a Sustainable Future” project
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Our project aims to promote sustainability and local food production in Lausanne by establishing an urban mushroom farm. By producing high-quality mushrooms in a sustainable manner, we hope to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods by providing healthy food and creating local jobs. We also hope to raise community awareness about the importance of urban agriculture and sustainable food production by applying the principles of circularity. We want to create a space for learning and sharing to encourage residents’ active participation in urban agriculture and strengthen social ties.

3. The Project in Detail
Mushroom cultivation is an ideal practice for urban areas, as it easily adapts to available spaces. In fact, mushroom cultivation can take place year-round in a wide variety of locations, particularly in abandoned or underutilized areas of the city. This characteristic makes mushroom cultivation a wise choice for those seeking to promote sustainable urban agriculture.

By using innovative farming methods, our farm requires very little energy and resources compared to other forms of agriculture. We use local organic waste such as beer spent grain, bread, and coffee grounds as a substrate for growing mushrooms, thereby helping to repurpose waste and promote the circular economy.

Mushrooms are also recognized for their nutritional value and health benefits. By producing high-quality mushrooms, we aim to promote a healthy, local, and balanced diet in our neighborhood.

We are also planning the following activities to foster the social aspect of our project:

1. Farm Tours: We will regularly open the doors of our farm to neighborhood residents, allowing them to explore our facilities and learn about our mushroom-growing process. The tours will be guided and educational, offering participants a hands-on look at sustainable urban agriculture.

2. Introductory Mushroom Farming Workshops: We’ll organize interactive workshops where residents can learn the basics of mushroom farming. They’ll have the opportunity to actively participate by growing their own mushrooms under our guidance. This will allow participants to develop new skills and gain a better understanding of sustainable food systems.

3. Community Partnerships: We aim to establish partnerships with other local organizations and neighborhood schools to organize seasonal events and educational activities. This will foster engagement and collaboration among various community stakeholders.

Our project will benefit the neighborhood by providing a local supply of fresh mushrooms, creating local job opportunities, and offering introductory workshops on mushroom cultivation for residents. In addition, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable urban agriculture and to build a community committed to the transition toward a more eco-friendly and socially just future.

By submitting this project, we hope to create a genuine connection between the community and sustainable urban agriculture. We are convinced that our initiative will help strengthen the neighborhood’s social fabric, educate residents about sustainable food, and encourage their active participation.

4. The amount requested to carry out the project

CHF 20,000

• Fitting out the cultural space and facilities: CHF 5,000

• Purchase of gardening supplies (planters, shelves, etc.): CHF 2,500

• Plumbing and electrical costs: CHF 1,500

• Substrate, mycelium, and seeds for mushroom cultivation: CHF 3,000

• Containers for mushroom cultivation: CHF 1,000

• Gardening tools and safety equipment: CHF 1,000

• Furniture (tables, chairs, etc.): CHF 1,500

• Educational materials and visual aids: CHF 1,000

• Signage and information boards: CHF 500.

• Design and printing of promotional materials (brochures, posters): CHF 1,500

• Website and online presence: CHF 1,000

• Organization of community events (opening ceremony, workshops): CHF 1,500

• Permit and license fees: CHF 500.

• Insurance: CHF 500

• Contingency fund (10% of the total budget for unforeseen expenses): CHF 2,000

5. Neighborhood(s)
: To be determined