Greener Together Projects

Rural Energy Partners

Work Completed: This new project received its funding in December of 2024. It plans to install solar shades for cattle at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s (UNL) Feedlot for the Future research facility near Mead, NE. The initiative combines renewable energy generation with livestock welfare improvement, addressing critical needs in modern agriculture.

Next Steps: Construction has just begun, with hopes of solar shade installations to be completed the end of summer.

Project Highlights: None yet.

Is Project On Budget and On Time: Yes!

City Sprouts

Work Completed: This new project received funding in December 2024. The project will make sustainable and accessible improvements to our community garden—including adding solar panels and rain-catchment systems.

Next Steps: We are currently getting updated bids on the solar and pathway parts of the project. Construction is scheduled for late March/early April.

Project Highlights: None yet.

Is Project On Budget and On Time: Weather permitting, we should be on budget and on time.

Free Farm Syndicate  

Work Completed: Free Farm purchased land to expand their operations, rented a shared processing facility, and improved the location with a shed and new stairs. While accomplishing all of this, they also carried on their everyday mission and distributed thousands of pounds of free produce to the community, engaged with neighbors and volunteers, educated the community on food sovereignty, hosted numerous events, and fundraised to support their ongoing operations.

Next Steps: Winter is a slower time for farmers, but there is still plenty of work to be done. Free Farm Syndicate will be processing and canning the frozen harvest from 2024, planning 2025 planting (taking into account seed-saving priorities and coordinating with other food access organizations), co-hosting a community seed share, starting seeds in the greenhouse, hosting a seed-screen-making workshop, and other preparations for the upcoming growing season.

Project Highlights: Visit Free Farm Syndicate's 2024 Recap for more details!

Is Project On Budget and On Time: Yes! The project is on track with milestones, and no delays are anticipated.

Florence Futures

Work Completed:

1. Bus shelters. We received updated quotes on bus shelters and have opened bids for contractors to assemble (and pour concrete pad, where needed). After conversations with Metro, we are using the same structure in use on their stations. The drawing provided by the manufacturer of the planned shelter is attached to this report. These shelters can vary, so we are now finalizing agreements with property owners to place the structures — and make any fine adjustments to the shelters with the manufacturer.

2. Following conversations with Omaha Police Department’s Northeast Precinct, we solicited quotes from a different manufacturer — the one which manufactures products already in use by OPD. We originally budgeted off “TRAFFIC LOGIX Safe Pace” product, but OPD asked us to look at the “RADAR SIGNS TC-400”. After speaking with RADAR SIGNS, we also requested quotes from their “TC-600” model, which has added features and is solar-operated. We have received quotes from both, which remain in line with our budget. OPD Northeast Precinct submitted the formal request to perform this work with us to their leadership in mid-September, and we have a meeting of our community Precinct Advisory Committee on 10/17 and hope to have a status report then. Once approved, we can place the order and OPD Traffic Unit can assist with installation and deployment.

3. Bike wayfinding parking. We met with Omaha Parks Dept and have submitted our proposed signage to them. The proposal we submitted is attached. We are waiting to see if parks prefer to use their manufactured plastic signs, or a different sign from their manufacturer. We may be under budget on this item – excess funds will be used for additional signs at other points along this route or directing 30th street cyclists to bike trails.

Next Steps: Next step will be ordering manufactured items. Due to the need to get formal approval from several organizations before building improvements, we have been waiting on others. We are hoping to place major orders in the next 30-45 days.

Is Project On Budget and On Time: Yes. The only significant delay could be the bus shelters due to lead times, which are estimated at 5 months from the manufacturer. We will try and see if they can ship them as available, since one shelter location does not need a concrete pad to be poured.

Whispering Roots

Work Completed: Purchase of the plastic lumber was completed. Site visits were completed. School meetings and site selections were completed. Soil/compost purchase agreement was completed. Construction of the first grow bed was completed. Site preparation has been taking place for additional installs.

Next Steps: Installation phase is underway. Garden box construction is now taking place for Fall completion.

Project Highlights: College students from the University of South Dakota came to Omaha on 10/14/23 to assist with prepping a garden location for the garden bed installation. Although cold, rainy and muddy, they were excited about helping with the project!

Is Project On Budget and On Time: The project is currently on budget and on time!

Urban Bird & Nature Alliance

Work Completed: Planted over 135 shade and fruit trees in a tree-barren neighborhood in the northside of Omaha. Trees were planted in nearby Cottonwood Park and the seasoned area of the surrounding neighborhood. These trees will provide shade and cool the grounds around parking lots and the soccer field. This will help reduce heat islands/pollution and increase air quality for the local residents.

Next Steps: Our project is complete!

Project Highlights: In addition to planting more than 135 trees, we created lasting relationships that we plan to nurture over time. Residents learned about the benefits of trees and basic tree-care and upkeep. In turn, the project team and volunteers learned about the culture of the homeowners: the neighborhood’s residents are primarily Karen, one of Burma’s largest ethnic minorities, who have made Omaha their home after being displaced by conflict in their homeland.

Is Project On Budget and On Time: Yes, despite weather and construction delays, all trees were able to be planted and the project is complete!

No More Empty Pots

Work Completed: Since the award of the projects, the timeline has been updated to reflect current conditions and costs. The initial deposit of 50% of the projects has been paid by the contractor by the grantee. As of October 15, 2023, the contractor has updated preliminary drawings and submitted them to their project engineers for approval. The contractor is expecting to receive the approved plans by October 23.

Next Steps: Upon receipt of the approved plans, the contractor will star the permitting process with the city of Omaha.

Project Highlights: The contractor has ordered the project equipment. The equipment has been delivered and is stored in a secure location for the contractor. The contractor will deliver the equipment to the project site at No More Empty Pots Food Hub after permitting has been approved. At that time, construction will begin.

Is Project On Budget and On Time: This project is complete.

Habitat for Humanity

Project: Pilot solar energy as a way to reduce utility costs for households with low income.

Overview: Habitat for Humanity of Omaha will pilot solar energy as a way to reduce utility costs for households with low income.

Habitat knows that in addition to the positive environmental impact, the energy savings translates to significant cost reductions that ensure successful homeownership.

Benefits:

• Reduce nonrenewable electricity needs
• Energy savings translates to significant cost reductions that ensure successful homeownership
• Provides access to solar energy for homeowners who would not otherwise be able to afford it, increasing equitable access to renewable solutions

Sustainable Edible Orchard

Project: Greener Together Program Launch funded entirely by OPPD.

Overview: The “Sustainable Edible Orchard” project will be located at the OPPD Arboretum and will feature fruit and nut trees that are consumable, alongside a grass/pollinator plot that will include native Nebraska grass species, along with warm and cool season species. Pollinators will also include native Nebraska flowers and will also include clovers (alfalfa, red clover, crimson clover, sweet clover).

Benefits:

• Provide fruit and nut trees to the public and wildlife
• Introduce a grass/pollinator plot with native grass species
• Provides education on native plant species with access and signage in the area.