Seeds on 36th wants to make you think differently about food. But it needs your help

I like the idea of crowdfunding – we all pitch in financially to help someone’s idea get off the ground. Last year, my son’s classmate tried to crowdfund the purchase of an iPhone 7. I think his response when asked if he would support her was less than polite.

But what happens when a really great idea needs funding to get it started? Seeds on 36th, based on the social entrepreneurship model, may be the truly unique idea that Charlotte citizens can stand behind.

Seeds will offer communities a full range of urban gardening supplies and technology, enhanced by the kind of hands-on training required to build a more sustainable metro region. Seeds will be a for-profit garden center with an operating agreement to support the mission of 100 Gardens with a portion of its profits.

“We are trying to create a city that thinks differently about food,” said Sam Fleming, vice presiden tof 100 Gardens.

Seeds owners, Sam Fleming, Ben Smith, Charles Oliphant and Monty Thompson, have been committed to 100 Gardens, a non-profit organization, since its inception in 2012. 100 Gardens sets up aquaponic and hydroponic gardens in schools and detention centers to teach the students how to grow their own plants and care for the fish. In addition, the organization partners with communities in Haiti to build aquaponic gardens for sustainable living.

Seeds will be located on 36th Street in NoDa, in a 13,000 square-foot warehouse. When it opens (planned for mid-March 2017) its first phase will operate in 3,000 square feet of that space. Ron Morgan, the founder of 100 Gardens, who passed away this year, inspired the store’s design.

“When you walk in here, the store itself needs to be a live exhibit for what agriculture looks like in 20 years, 30 years, 100 years. We need to always have that on display,” said Fleming.

According to Fleming, the store will be an extension of what they do at schools. Students can come with their families to get supplies for gardens at home. “We can also sponsor community garden efforts with materials and supplies,” said Fleming.

Seeds, of course, will sell seeds for vegetables and flowers. It will also have grow lights, all types of pots, fertilizer, in-ground and raised-beds soils – everything you need for urban farming. It plans to rent tillers and other equipment in the future.

A large part of Seeds’ operation will be teaching the public how to grow food. In addition to selling training books and videos, the store will offer classes on aquaponics, hydroponics and urban farming — how to maximize space whether it is on a porch or in a yard.

“Basically any way you can grow food, we are going to show people how to do it, regardless of space, experience,” said Smith.

In its first week, Seeds’ crowdfunding campaign raised more than $6,000. Funds will be used to retrofit the space, including adding a glass storefront, lighting, shelving and a cash register. A $36 contribution by Nov. 11 gets you into the pre-grand opening party in March 2017 and a chance to be a part of starting Seeds.

We want “Charlotte to become a place that people flock to when it comes to urbanized agriculture and healthy eating and hands-on learning in schools – it’s the whole thing put together,” Fleming said.

Seeds on 36th will be located at 200 E. 36th St., Charlotte.

Photos: DREA PHOTO ARTISTRY; Juan Ossa

This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 11:02 PM with the headline "Seeds on 36th wants to make you think differently about food. But it needs your help."