Small Projects (>$10K)

These projects received less than $10,000 from TGIF.

Vertical Farming at Berkeley Prototype 1 Upscaling

Project Description

VFB is a non-profit, research-oriented organization with the ambition to establish the first and only vertical farm at UC Berkeley. With sustainability in mind, we aim to increase yield and resource efficiency by investigating symbiotic microbe interactions in a hydroponic environment and developing mechanical automation technology, from ECU-controlled water maintenance to labor-free planting/harvesting. Vertical Farming is the general idea of growing produce in a controlled environment with space, resource efficiency, and produce quality in mind....

Eco Community Development Department

Project Description

The overall goal of the Eco-Community Development Department of the ASUC Eco Office is to promote involvement in the Eco-Community and retainment of current members. To address our overarching goal, we have set two main projects, the Mentorship Program and overall Coalition Building.

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Project Application

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Electric Cargo Bike for ReUse Stations

ReUSE and Cal Zero Waste are requesting funds to purchase an electric cargo bicycle to transport materials from the Cal Zero Waste office to each ReUSE station, rather than moving items on foot.

ASUC Sustainable Campus Food System Designathon

Project Description

This designathon aims to empower students to share their voices on decisions about the campus food system, because it should be catered to their needs and values. The Pour Out Pepsi campaign pressures the UC Berkeley administration to end the exclusive pouring rights contract with PepsiCo due to its unsustainable and inequitable practices. There are currently discussions in the UCOP about establishing a UC system-wide exclusive pouring rights contract, likely with PepsiCo or Coca-Cola, demonstrating that they value profit over students. The food and beverage...

Supporting and Expanding the Green Labs Certification Program

Project Description

This Green Labs project is seeking funds to support campus labs in obtaining Green Lab certification, piloting the use of alternative lab materials that are not dependent on single-use plastics, and the creation of software to track lab energy consumption and waste production

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Decolonizing Environmental Education Decal

Project Description

Seeking funds to support the "Decolonizing the Environment" Decal which teaches a curriculum on environmental justice, unlearning dominant frameworks, and centering community care. Their goal is to empower students with the knowledge/tools to navigate environmental solutsions from an equitable lens. They will host guest speakers and monthly community events.

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Graduate Outdoor Pals for Equity (GOPE) Workshops

Project Description

GOPE is seeking funds to support a series of workshops on edible gardening, foraging, and herbal medicine, specifically to engage with URM (underrepresented minorities), and FGLI(first-generation, low-income) graduate students. Their goal is to promote equity and inclusivity in outdoor spaces as well as build community and confidence in the outdoors.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Oxford Tract Farm Logistics

Project Description

BSF's primary goals with this funding are to continue farming at the Oxford Tract, and other gardening spaces, which require space in the greenhouse and water, and continue being able to pay students for teaching the agroecology in action decal. Their work aims to reconnect UC Berkeley students with the land through anti-oppression and decolonial frameworks. They also donate food from the farms to the Basic Needs Center as a way to support food-insecure students on campus.

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Cultivation of Vertically-Farmed Microalgae for Biofuel Production

Project Description

VFB is seeking funds to create a sustainable biofuel from microalgae. Their goal is to create a model for growing renewable fuels with low carbon impacts and to eventually generate algae for Berkeley research labs and support future research into sustainably grown algae.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

SERC Conscious Event Certification

Project Description

SERC's Green team is seeking funding to pilot a Conscious Event certification which will provide support, individualized guidance, and monetary incentives for RSOs on campus to implement sustainable choices in their group's on-campus events

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)