Message-ID: <Pine.SV4.3.91.960531234151.13799E-100000@purple> Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 23:48:41 -0400 From: Tom Abeles <mailto:tabeles@TMN.COM> Subject: Re: **Launch** : CONSULTATIVE GROUP FOR REGENERATIVE ENTERPRISES To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
If CGRE is truely what it says it is- and one has no reason to doubt this, then the CGRE would carry out its activities on a risk basis. Enterprises that are worthy of support should be able to be sustaining. If CGRE finds that this is the case then its return should be based on the success ;rovided by the consulting- On the other hand, if it is a marginal transaction then maybe CGRE should say so up front and pass- Otherwise, i see little difference between this effort and the plethora of other such organizations seeking to compete for limited fiscal resources and not taking any responsibility for the potential problems they may or may not create on the downside.
On Fri, 31 May 1996, Tom Horton wrote:
> CONSULTATIVE GROUP FOR REGENERATIVE ENTERPRISES (CGRE)
>
> Rodale Institute's Global Program has developed a new service to assist development
> organizations, local and international NGO's, conservation groups, and private industry
> to establish and maintain socially and environmentally progressive enterprises that would
> serve as economic alternatives to traditional public and private funding sources. The
> group also works with development and industry organizations to introduce regenerative
> and sustainable resource management practices into their existing programs.
> Regenerative resource management seeks to use local, natural resources while improving
> them.
>
> Rodale Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to work with
> people worldwide to achieve a regenerative food system that renews environmental and
> human health. The Institute's programs aim to find agricultural solutions to hunger,
> malnutrition, disease and soil degradation.
>
> The new service seeks to stimulate regenerative enterprise activities that support
> stewardship of natural resources while providing economic opportunities to local
> communities.
>
> The consulting group will provide services to program-linked enterprises and/or
> incorporate regenerative management practices into existing or proposed programs.
>
> THE SERVICE OFFERS:
>
> A: Enterprise Development
> - Enterprise feasibility studies
> - Business plan development and grant proposals
> - Project design and management
>
> B: Consulting in Regenerative Resource Management
> - Organic waste-stream management
> - Regenerative agriculture systems
> - Organic food production
>
> ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CATEGORIES INCLUDE:
> - Organic agricultural production to grow a market crop that, through value-added
> processing, can be sold in regional, national, and global markets.
>
> - Forest products that can be "sustainably extracted" for use as a component or converted
> into a ready product for regional or global markets.
>
> - Handicraft products requiring resource monitoring, technology transfer, market access,
> secondary processing, design alteration, market framing, or packaging.
>
> - Natural resource educational tours, programs, seminars, and workshops that address
> current issues of resource management (e.g. composting, organic soil amendment usage,
> non-toxic food systems, synthetic-free nutrition, hunger, etc.).
>
> - Technologies related to composting, waste management and treatment, environmental
> remediation, agricultural initiatives that minimize petrochemical inputs, encourage land
> use management planning, maintain cultural integrity, improve local economies, and
> enhance soil and water quality.
>
> - Planned community land developments offering alternative/locally produced sources of
> energy and responsible water resource use, solid waste reduction, community
> composting, and community supported organic agriculture.
>
> PROJECT ATTRIBUTES:
> - Projects will be designed to generate revenues within a 12 month period and to
> break-even within a 48 month period.
> - Projects will be designed for social and economic viability.
>
> FOCUS:
> - Urban, suburban, and rural communities and development projects
> - US and international resource conservation programs
>
> COST:
> - The services of CGRE are provided on a fee basis.
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> For more information, please contact:
>
> Tom Horton, CGRE Coordinator
> Rodale Institute, 611 Siegfriedale Rd., Kutztown, PA 19530 USA
> Tel:(610)683-1400 - Fax:(610)683-8548
> Email: mailto:horton@rodaleinst.org
>