Urban orchard winemaking, Reading Roadmap at 1 Million Cups

The founders of a vineyard/winery and a nonprofit school reform effort made presentations Wednesday at Wichita’s 1 Million Cups.

1 Million Cups ICT is a weekly gathering designed to aid entrepreneurs by making contacts in the community and gaining awareness. It meets Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Next week’s event will be at Wichita State University’s Old Town offices, 238 N. Mead.

Urban Orchard

Co-founder: Jennifer McDonald

Pitch: A wine enthusiast who has made her own wines for the past two years, McDonald envisions two pieces: a small apple and peach orchard and strawberry fields near 13th and Estelle, and a wine-making/tasting/selling operation using the fruit and purchased grapes.

Status: She is trying to raise $10,000 for the fruit orchard through a Kickstarter campaign.

Need: Money. People have pledged just $1,800, and the Kickstarter campaign expires in four days.

Contact: JennyDawnCellars on Facebook

Kansas Reading Roadmap

Executive director: Andrew Hysell

Pitch: Hysell is leading a nonprofit group to restructure operations at schools in Kansas and other states to increase their efficiency and effectiveness.

Status: The effort – now at more than 50 schools nationwide – started at USD 259’s Mueller Elementary in September, and he wants to spread it to more schools.

Need: More awareness in Wichita

Contact: www.readingroadmap.org

Next week

Hair Fairy Studios

This story was originally published November 30, 2016 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Urban orchard winemaking, Reading Roadmap at 1 Million Cups."