Green Entrepreneurs’ Forum

Bringing academics, business leaders and would-be entrepreneurs together to create business plans and foster venture capital investments in Green Businesses on Delmarva.

In development

Ambassadors to EDEN

Inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs with green economics. EDEN works with middle school children to create business solutions out of environmental challenges. Preparation for the job world where green infrastructure is the biggest JOB ENGINE.

Seeking funding

The SNAC Program
(School Nutrition Advisory Committee)

Improving children’s health and academic performance through hands on nutrition education and experience of fresh whole foods, school garden and cafeteria policy advocacy. In the future the program seeks to work in schools where many students qualify for free and reduced lunches.  
The SNAC program benefits children by improving their relationship to local and fresh foods, enhancing community wide involvement in feeding our children, while also engaging multiple math, science, social studies, and other skills learned through experience in the garden.

Funded by Chichester DuPont Foundation for 2011 at Southern Delaware School of the Arts.    
In collaboration with the Sussex Child Health Promotion Coalition, Wellnet is seeking funding to expand the program to John M. Clayton Elementary School and other Sussex county schools with high free and reduced lunches.

The Holistic Health Fair

A free day of workshops, speakers, and demonstrations, to educate the public on holistic health, the environment, local food and wellness topics.

Funded by vendor registrations, program book ads and sponsorships

Solar For Poultry Farmers and the Clean Engen Fund

Leveraging multiple layers of solar and CRA Tax Credits, the innovative Clean Engen financing program propels small farms into a sustainable economic future. Clean Engen finances the installation and lease of solar equipment that will dramatically reduce farmers’ electricity costs through renewable energy. Ultimately, the Clean Engen Fund serves as a catalyst for agribusiness and renewable energy sectors on multiple levels: job creation, market expansion and economic stimulus to these CRA regions served by the Clean Engen Fund.

Working in Collaboration with Discover Bank

The Full Circle Fund implemented at Wellnet’s
Integrative Health Clinic

Improving health for low to moderate income individuals through innovative integrative healthcare services. Using cost effective, natural medicines, The Full Circle Fund provides LMI individuals increased access to health care methods which successfully address chronic health issues proven to be greatly affected by lifestyle choices such as nutrition, exercise and stress management.  Outcomes with underserved patients will be reported regarding: clinical health improvement, quality of life markers and workplace performance, such as absenteeism and presenteeism. Total Societal Cost savings of $1025 per participant is reasonable estimation, based on recent outcomes study regarding naturopathic medicine and cardiovascular disease treatments. We predict that for every $1 invested in integrative health interventions would result in $6 of health care savings.*

Seeking CRA funding for the Full Circle Fund

Economic Development Program

EDEN also participates in economic development opportunities as they arise through our efforts to recruit and retain small businesses for our region. The EDEN team facilitates the development of contracts for small companies and entrepreneurs who bring jobs and innovative technology that will create green infrastructure in Delmarva.

Under contract for 2011. EDEN has assisted The Evergreen LED, LLC company in acquiring a demonstration contract with DELDOT for LED lighting systems at a carpool parking lot. EDEN has collaborated with Delaware Electric Cooperative and the University of Delaware to use Evergreen lighting systems in a poultry house demonstration project. The parties will measure the impact on broiler production and look for possible savings in the farmer’s monthly electric bill.

Sustainable Farming

The Wellnet will seek to create new venture and business opportunities through its sustainable farming demonstration project.  We seek to acquire a 500-600 acres of open agricultural lands where we can demonstrate the use and recovery of renewable resources such as agriculture, agricultural waste, and other Ag-related waste streams in the practice of sustainable farming and aquiculture.

Seeking Funding

… Reclaiming Restaurant By-Products
… REPLENISHing Local Farmers
… Restoring Economic Stability

REPLENISH works directly with local farmers, composters, and restaurateurs to implement a composting program that reclaims the nutrient value of food leftovers generated by restaurants. REPLENISH stimulates the development of practical business models that build on the creative recovery and reuse of Delaware’s rich renewable resources, especially agriculture and waste by-products.   REPLENISH will help identify and alleviate Southern Delaware’s critical issue of organic materials waste continuing to flow into landfills and causing significant environmental hazards. 

Funded by Longwood Foundation, DNREC’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program and Constellation Energy Ecostar Grant Program