Hi My Name is Francisco Miranda. I am a resident of Staten Island. A few years back I became seriously ill, Without me getting into to much detail about my illnesses, lets just say it was enough to change my perspective of what i should be feeding my body. I was borderline, obese and was hooked on processed foods. I had gone to see countless Doctors, and all they ever did for me was run tests and prescribe another pill. When I finally got sick and tired, of being sick and tired, I began a journey of health and wellness with a new found relationship with food. I have always had a love for the natural world and look towards nature to start my healing. I needed a source of growing clean nutrient dense vegetables 365 day's a year. With New York City winters being as harsh as they are, and space at a premium, growing year round would be a challenge. Therefore, I looked into hydroponics to solve both those problems. And this is when the Healing began! 6 years later, 65lbs lighter, and healthier, I want to inspire others towards Health and Wellness using my love of Hydroponic farming, within my community. My mission for Lettuce Bee Sustainable is to be a year round local source for high quality nutrient dense vegetables and herbs. As a result of climate change and global warming agricultural practices need to evolve to produce food in a responsible manner. I am up to this challenge, but require a startup. By using the latest in hydroponic and aquaponic principles, solar power and green lighting, resulting in food free of harsh chemicals and pesticides. Your support will enable me to build a greenhouse that will work with the environment instead of against it. Allowing me to become LEED certified. Incorporating innovative rainwater collection strategies, with solar sterilization, translates to production using 95 % less water than conventional farming. With increasing threats of droughts looming all over the country, eco water wise growing is not only smart but it's our responsibility as growers and as consumers. I would like to set the stage to educate our community and inner city children about urban farming and all its healing possibilities, while recycling rainwater, as they learn the benefits of eating locally grown foods no matter the season, or under any weather condition, in an eco friendly manner. I seek to achieve these goals for the community while providing a sustainable source of healthy greens, in order to help bridge the gaps within food deserts by donating 20% of what I grow monthly to a local food bank. The remarkable thing about hydroponics is its flexibly of Growing vertically as well has horizontally maximizing space. Therefore, your donations will allow me to build a business which will not only work with the environment, it will also help a feed a community. This is just a startup, as I grow, so will the contribution's to the local food banks. This is the type of business, which will not only feed it's community, it will also feed the Soul. Thank you in advance for supporting this cause and the hopes of reaching this goal. I am looking forward to becoming Staten Islands go to source for those who enjoy health and Wellness and the benefits of a plant based diet. Because Health and Wellness is everyone's Birthright!

Francisco Miranda

The Wellness Grower.