Locals Share Green Action

The Food Group Minnesota is not your typical food pantry. Yet that is where they started originally over 40 years ago. They provide excellent examples of ways that community organizations can take a much larger role in addition to meeting immediate hunger-fighting needs. The Food Group Minnesota grows, harvests, buys and distributes healthy foods with multiple programs. Laura Mirafuentes is the perfect spokesperson for The Food Group. She has worked there for over eight years using her skills in fundraising, program management, and her 10 years of experience working in the food and agriculture sector to make a difference for local food systems and local food justice in the greater Minneapolis, MN area. She has worked with The Food Group since 2014, where she currently oversees fundraising for the organization and spent several years managing Big River Farms, a 150-acre certified organic incubator farm for beginning farmers of color. Laura has served as Project Director with multiple USDA awards and has helped various other organizations successfully attain their own federal grants as an independent consultant. Laura Mirafuentes currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors at Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009 with a B.A. in English and is bilingual in Spanish. https://thefoodgroupmn.org Podcast sponsored by: GOGREENLOCALLY ORG, 501c3 NV nonprofit Hosted by: Jenny Nichols, Executive Director Edited by: Avery Sigarroa, Communications Coordinator

Bainy Suri is the CEO and Founder of Eco Community Solutions. She is a grassroots activist, an attorney, and a mother to her son Kai. For the past eleven years, she has worked on social and environmental justice issues in Princeton, across Mercer County, and the State of New Jersey. As a first-generation, Indian-American, female and the single parent of a special needs child, the environment, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are relevant, important issues in her professional and personal life. Bainy served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Lobby until June 2022. Prior to working there, she volunteered with a number of community programs: combating a lack of diversity, holding social justice student exhibitions, co-chairing committees, sitting on nonprofit boards, starting new social and environmental justice industries, and serving soup in soup kitchens. Bainy has been invited to speak across the State on her work to stop plastic pollution and authored the first plastic pollution ordinance in New Jersey in 2011. She has lectured at Pratt Institute in Manhattan and at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. http://eco.inforest.com/

Bainy Suri is the CEO and Founder of Eco Community Solutions. She is a grassroots activist, an attorney, and a mother to her son Kai. For the past eleven years, she has worked on social and environmental justice issues in Princeton, across Mercer County, and the State of New Jersey. As a first-generation, Indian-American, female and the single parent of a special needs child, the environment, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are relevant, important issues in her professional and personal life. Bainy served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Lobby until June 2022. Prior to working there, she volunteered with a number of community programs: combating a lack of diversity, holding social justice student exhibitions, co-chairing committees, sitting on nonprofit boards, starting new social and environmental justice industries, and serving soup in soup kitchens. Bainy has been invited to speak across the State on her work to stop plastic pollution and authored the first plastic pollution draft ordinance in New Jersey in 2011. She has lectured at Pratt Institute in Manhattan and at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. http://eco.inforest.com/

Healthy Eating Education & Farming - Kerin Gould – Author of “Produce With A Purpose” Kerin Gould has a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Health and a PhD in Native American Studies. She has worked with food-related non-profits, but eventually focused on developing her own sustainable, non-toxic, wildlife-friendly farm and exploring a new way to connect vibrant fruit and veggies with those who strive to enhance their health with delicious recipes using farm-fresh produce. She is the author of “Produce With a Purpose” which has delicious recipes specifically geared to people recovering from cancer. By honing in on the nutritional value of various types of produce while taking inspiration from recipes from some of the best gourmet food cultures in the world, Kerin gives hope and knowledge on how attainable it is to produce more abundant health and a greater quality of life, while enjoying delicious easy to prepare foods. All this knowledge helps support the health of her community while supporting local farms farming with nature. B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/produce-with-a-purpose-kerin-leigh-gould/1140626686?ean=9780578327075 Amazon (Kindle and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KR8H1WB/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0ZF9FZJK8EAG2546ZVS9 Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780578327075?fbclid=IwAR3wifQOAlLuNuDtpP-b7zEM1TrJuK_fMn3cojwg-g0MgAI_WwHhVSp9ke0 Bookshop.org (supports local brick and mortar stores) https://bookshop.org/books/produce-with-a-purpose-so-your-doctor-told-you-to-eat-more-fruit-and-vegetables-now-what/9780578327075%20/ Press kit: https://bykerinleighgould.wordpress.com/media-press-kit/ Web site: http://producewithapurpose.net Podcasts: https://producewithapurpose.podbean.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCraJWtD7VEwI-zS1mez4Ong/videos Substack: https://kerin.substack.com/ Sacramento residents can find her column in their neighborhood ValCom newspapers and her articles for ValCom is online at https://www.valcomnews.com/?s=kerin+gould

Basil Camu is the co-owner of a local tree care company called Leaf & Limb located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Basil is also the founder of a nonprofit volunteer-driven tree nursery that grows native trees sustainably to give away to the public at no cost. The project is seeking to support restoration projects both in urban, suburban, and wild areas. Basil loves all of the aspects of natural ecosystems from the trees, to soil, wildflowers, insects, bats, and fungi. He is a Treecologist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, a Duke graduate, and is committed to taking action that helps care for and restore the planet. Though trees are his passion and profession, he also loves cultivating flowers in his garden, restoring native meadows, and propagating plants from seed. Project Pando website: https://www.leaflimb.com/project-pando/ Leaf & Limb YouTube channel Welcome to Project Pando: A Volunteer-Driven Tree Farm that Grows Native Trees to Give Away for Free https://youtu.be/wgKffg5b3B0 Project Pando in 8 Minutes – a Plan to Help Heal the Planet – TLC Wild Ideas https://youtu.be/Jq37-ThXuyY

Don Pierce has spent nearly his whole life working to protect the environment. After decades of work as a professional environmentalist, Don concluded that a new approach––one focused on the environmentalist and not just the environment––was needed. When famed conservationist David Brower asked him to write “a piece” to show environmentalists how to persevere, the result was a series of online courses that is good for both environmentalists and anyone seeking happiness and the preservation of nature. This series––the Heartwood Path––helps people to develop spiritually, helps people discover the benefits of communing with nature, and helps people find the abundant, abiding, and authentic happiness that comes from helping others, including natural beings. Don formed his first environmental group––a tree planting club––when he was nine. After that, he was president of both his high school and college environmental organizations. After a few years as a professional river conservationist, he was hired by Brower to be the Midwest Representative of Friends of the Earth. Pierce has led numerous conservation groups, including the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club. He was a governor-appointed member of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, a Master’s Degree in political science, and Master’s Degree in social work. When he was not working to protect the environment or guiding people down the Heartwood Path, Pierce––a qualified life coach and mental health practitioner––served those who needed his care––including those who are young, aged, mentally ill, or mentally disabled. Don Pierce has been a professional environmentalist, drummer, printing executive, team-builder, and social worker. He is an avid canoeist and a photographer. He has authored a lengthy guide to attractions along the Missouri River, numerous conservation articles, and his auto-biography (available at Amazon). He loves to walk in nature with his dog. He divides his time between California and Missouri. He has two grown daughters: one, the mother of his two grand-daughters, in St. Louis; and the other somewhere with her husband on a sailboat that is often moored in Santa Barbara. https://www.heartwoodpath.com/ https://www.instagram.com/heartwoodpath/ https://www.facebook.com/heartwoodpath

Winona Bateman is the director of Families for a Livable Climate in Missoula, Montana. They are seeking to connect people for shared action through local family-friendly events that help take action that ensures a livable future for all. Their vision includes a healthy home planet, connected communities, and a resilient, and equitable economy. Winona has a background in communications and sees one-on-one conversations as part of the solution to build a community, to create more meaning in our lives, and to work on solutions that are a part of a more equitable and livable future. 8 ways MT families can engage on climate in 2022: https://livableclimate.org/new-and-inspiration/2021/12/30/top-x-ways-mt-families-can-join-the-climate-movement-in-2022 A guide to getting involved: https://livableclimate.org/new-and-inspiration/2021/7/12/friend-our-climate-needs-you-now https://www.facebook.com/familiesforalivableclimate https://www.instagram.com/livableclimate/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtmynboHz5ZaPZ0GHvpZvA https://twitter.com/livableclimate

Multi-media Stories – T. Addison Brown, Emerging World Co-Founder T. Addison Brown creates multi-media stories as a fundamental and immersive form of communication that intends to engage on an intuitive and sensory level. Guided by Buddhist teachings her activities have emphasize on safeguarding all forms of life. During her tenure as Director of Philanthropy for Levity Foundation she created the See Me Project, South Africa. A Kodak sponsored photography event that partnered with South African Organizations NOAH, LoveLife and the KwaMashu township. By giving cameras to children, this project allowed the children to become the storytellers. This project brought global awareness to the lives of orphaned children living with the impact of HIV/AIDS. She directed and produced the documentary film “See Me” with Los Angeles based production company, Intuitive Entertainment. The film “See Me” was narrated by Academy Award-winning actress, Susan Sarandon. While enjoying the collaboration with Intuitive Entertainment, Addison created and served as consulting producer on the LifeTime Television series “Top this Party Los Angeles” and “Top This Party Las Vegas”. Currently, Addison is directing her focus on the Emerging World Project, where she serves as co-founder and creative director. EWP is a transmedia storytelling project in response to the multitude of system changes we are seeing in the world today. Through immersive storytelling and conversations with some of the most incandescent minds, EWP is creating advocacy campaigns, documentary films & graphic novels that promote personal and collective transformation aimed at asking the hard questions about humanity; its past, present and future. https://emergingworldproject.org/ Their first audio media project is the podcast “what are you doing here?” where Addison serves as its host and is joined by co-host 12yr environmental activist, Marley. https://anchor.fm/whatareyoudoinghere

Lara Tomov has always been drawn to sharing experiences with others to connect people and place. She has worked in the film and television world for over a decade, primarily as a cinematographer. This work has taken her around the world, from peaks to ocean depths, for documentaries and television networks such as Discovery and Travel Channel. She has also worked with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Environment America. Last year she started up her own media brand, “Stories for Action”, with a mission to use visual and audio storytelling to create connections for healthy environments and communities to thrive. She has since moved home to the mountains of Montana, where she is focusing her work for the next year. Lara has a BA in Film from Emerson College and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Systems from UCLA.

Lara Tomov has always been drawn to sharing experiences with others to connect people and place. She has worked in the film and television world for over a decade, primarily as a cinematographer. This work has taken her around the world, from peaks to ocean depths, for documentaries and television networks such as Discovery and Travel Channel. She has also worked with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Environment America. Last year she started up her own media brand, “Stories for Action”, with a mission to use visual and audio storytelling to create connections for healthy environments and communities to thrive. She has since moved home to the mountains of Montana, where she is focusing her work for the next year. Lara has a BA in Film from Emerson College and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Systems from UCLA.

Maggie Bailey is the founder and President of We Plant it Forward in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Mission of We Plant it Forward is to preserve and restore the natural environment for the benefit of future generations by providing trees, tools, and help as well as hands-on activities, community engagement, and environmental education. Maggie Bailey holds a master of science degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Since 2009 she has led many tree planting volunteer efforts in the Raleigh/Durham area, working with both adults and children in cooperation with a large number of organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the Eno River Association, and many more. In 2012 she launched We Plant it Forward. This organization is teaching about: the benefits of trees, how our ecosystems work, and proper tree planting. Most importantly they are turning knowledge and education into action. We Plant it Forward has brought over 4,000 trees to the community of Raleigh and Durham. http://www.WePlantitForward.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/WePlantIt4ward/ https://www.facebook.com/WePlantitForward https://twitter.com/WePlantit4ward https://www.instagram.com/WePLantit4ward hello@WePlantitForward.org

Today on our podcast we speak with two people from a nonprofit organization that facilitates the stewardship of urban trees in a large city, including a program that facilitates the use of the wood from trees that have to be removed from around the city because of disease, end-of-it’s lifecycle or proximity to structures, etc. Jennifer Szeliga and Jonathan Gibbs from the Sacramento Tree Foundation work for the Urban Wood Rescue program in Sacramento, CA. Sacramento Tree Foundation works on educating Sacramentans on how to plant and care for trees and tell the story of how trees make our communities livable and lovable. Jennifer is the Director of Urban Wood Rescue program and has worked there for 5 years and while helping to write a new chapter in the story of urban trees to make sure they continue benefitting the community even after they’re removed. Jonathan Gibbs, a native Sacramentan is an Urban Wood Technician working directly for the Urban Wood Rescue program as well. He oversees yard handling of intakes, inventory, milling, drying wood, and essential support for numerous aspects of the operation. When he’s not working with the Urban Wood Rescue program, he and his wife enjoy the local food scene, music, renovating their new house, fixing cars and going to car events. This nonprofit is an awesome resource for Sacramento and excellent example of what other cities might want to consider as well.

Jesse and Johanna Boudreau have been operating Zia Energetics Permaculture as a family business for over 20 years. They create their livelihood as homesteaders, foragers, market growers, mushroom cultivators, beekeepers, cob builders, urban forestry and as herbalists. They share their wide range of experiences with local and virtual classes and community events teaching permaculture, hosting foraging walks, teaching home herbalism, and fermentation workshops. Websites: https://www.ziapermaculture.com/ https://ziaenergetics.wordpress.com/ Local landscape design and maintenance, nutrition and natural living courses https://www.ziapermaculture.com/book-services-online Etsy herbal products https://www.ziapermaculture.com/herbalism-plant-based-medicine Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ziapermaculture/

Kaitie Schneider is a wildlife conservation biologist and educator for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Blue Turtle Sustainable. In her free time, she runs her own business as a digital artist and photographer for environmental organizations and earth-conscious businesses. Below are her recommends to learn more about conservation, wildlife biology, as well as the many ways we can get more involved using our own varied skills and interests. Podcasts: Impact the Conservation Photography Podcast How to Save a Planet Ologies In Defense of Plants TED Climate A Sustainable Mind Books: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Animal Kind by Ingrid Newkirk and Gene Stone Tom Browns guide to healing the Earth Are We Smart Enough to Know how Smart Animals Are? By Frans de Waal Ways to get involved, no degree required: Citizen science with https://www.inaturalist.org https://www.wlrv.org Volunteer with local wildlife agencies Volunteer at animal rescues and sanctuaries Apply for my Conservation Career Scholarship! https://www.theunderstorystudio.com/scholarship

In this episode we have the honor of meeting two young women that are holding a unique local South Dakota event. “Threads of Green” is a thrifted fashion show being held in a unique venue, to raise money for good causes and roll out a new thrifted clothing sustainable fashion website and app that simplifies thrifting for clothes. Annie Lien is the lead fashion icon and style curator with FOMENO and Wynter Childers is a Wedding and Event Planner with her business, Created by Wyn (CBWYN). Together Annie and Wynter are working on raising money and supporting the development of FOMENO - an app and website that offers the simplest thrifting experience, striving to solve the problem of consumption and waste from the fashion industry. Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/threads-of-green-thrifted-fashion-show-tickets-169199286621 FOMENO website: https://thriftfomeno.com FOMENO instagram: @thriftfomeno Created by Wyn website: https://createdbywyn.com Created by Wyn instagram: @_cbwyn_

Casey Shiver has been a member of the Buy Nothing Project’s Central Reno group for a couple of years now and started volunteering as an admin in February of 2021. She works full time for UNR, is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Higher Education Administration and spends much of her free time volunteering with local area nonprofits. Her favorite parts of the Buy Nothing Project are getting to know her neighbors and seeing the large number of items being reused rather than entering the landfills. Liz McFarland has been a member of the Buy Nothing Project’s Central group for a few years. She spent most of her time for the past 8 years as the Lead Volunteer for Project 150 Reno and helping 3,500 homeless, disadvantaged and displaced high school students with basic needs. She is also on the board for the giving group “Thank You Ma’am”, on the board for Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra and for Altrusa of Reno/Sparks. Her favorite part of the project is being able to gift items that others will love, consuming less new products, and keeping items out of the landfill. The easiest way to join is to go onto the Buy Nothing projects website at: https://buynothingproject.org/ or if you’re in the Reno/Sparks/Carson/ Tahoe area, you can find a link to the group for your area at https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?fbclid=IwAR1j7xrdHAFzrliiP3UqgqjyiaZOc0l4eBUhbq-mc_FEQc_cUV_PwSsBI4Y&mid=1P-wF7OPrJh2GLgiy-pXnmBKTsjs&ll=39.62177576560294%2C-119.58638278378768&z=10

Ragan Sutterfield is a priest and associate at Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. His writings have appeared in a variety of places including The Christian Century, Sojourners, The Oxford American, Plough Online, and The Englewood Review of Books. Ragan's writing and interests are focused at the intersection of faith and ecology where he brings his background in birding, permaculture, and soil ecology into conversation with philosophy, theology, and the Christian spiritual tradition. Ragan is the author of Wendell Berry and the Given Life (Franciscan Media), This is My Body (Convergent/Random House), Cultivating Reality (Cascade), and the small collection of essays Farming as a Spiritual Discipline. Ragan is now at work on a book exploring humus and humility, soil science and Christian spirituality. The upcoming community class they are hosting is called “Compost and Creatureliness: The Science and Soul of Soil being held at Dunbar Garden in Little Rock, Arkansas. Upcoming Class: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/compost-and-creatureliness-the-science-and-soul-of-soil-tickets-163113168879 Christ Episcopal Church https://christchurchlr.org/ Dunbar Garden http://dunbargarden.org/

Zack McCannon is the Urban Farm Project Garden Programmer for the Faulkner County Library, Conway, Arkansas. The Urban Farm Project began in the spring of 2010 as a gardening competition between three local colleges. As students and professors turned lawns into thriving gardens it transformed into a collaborative effort that has encouraged sustainability and a greater sense of community with shared local food production. https://fcl.org/departments/garden/ https://www.facebook.com/fcurbanfarmproject/

Nina Littrell is a graduate of Kansas City Art Institute where she studied textiles and garment construction. She is a Kansas City based fashion designer that, among other classes, is teaching “Deconstruction/Reconstruction” an upcycling garments class offered at Rightfully sewn where students are training for professional jobs in the garment industry. https://rightfullysewn.org/classes - list of public classes (Deconstruction/ Reconstruction ticket information is here ) https://rightfullysewn.org/seamstresses - Seamstress Training Program information https://rightfullysewn.org/designers- classes for fashion designers https://www.instagram.com/rightfullysewn/ - Our instagram https://www.instagram.com/softstreet_sustainablefashion/ - Soft Street Sustainable Fashion Instagram (My sustainable brand) https://ninalittrell.com - Soft Street Sustainable Fashion

Under Casey’s leadership, Galveston’s Own Farmers Market has increased food-access among high-risk populations on Galveston Island through implementation of SNAP, specialty WIC programming, free cooking classes and a rapidly-growing school gardens program. Since 2017, Casey has also served as a City Councilwoman in the City of La Marque. Her life’s work revolves around the value of the natural environment on community well-being and empowering citizens to take control of their own health and claim their role within their own community.

Kim Konte is the founding member of Nontoxic Neighborhoods, an organization that helps neighborhoods transition to organic and regenerative methods of care in public and private areas of the city. They do this in a hands-on and collaborative way by supporting city staff, landscape contractors, and school administrators with solution-based tools and training to support the end of using synthetic pesticides. https://nontoxicneighborhoods.org/ https://www.facebook.com/nontoxicneighborhoods/ https://www.instagram.com/nontoxicneighborhoods/?hl=en Non-Toxic Neighborhoods YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDiYhkonixbXwCPajRDozsg

Lauren Winters West is the Founder and Chief Expert Organizer at Next Highest Good. As far back as she can remember, Lauren has enjoyed decluttering and organizing spaces for friends and family. She began organizing professionally after more than 20 years in a wide breadth of job capacities including: being a music video producer, a marketing executive at a Fortune 500 company and a nonprofit executive director. Since 2016, Lauren is proud to focus full time on organizing and offering her services to help people create spaces that maximize healthy, sustainable living and productivity. Lauren is passionate about zero waste and merging her commitment for keeping items out of the landfills with her love for organizing to ensure every item goes to its next highest good. From blankets and paint to prescription medications and eyeglasses, she has a wealth of knowledge for the sustainable disposal of a huge range of unwanted items. She is also a member of the Good Future Design Alliance and lives in San Francisco with her husband and son. Lauren Winters West Professional Organizer & Zero Waste Expert NextHighestGood.com 917•822•3003 https://nexthighestgood.com/ https://www.facebook.com/zerowasteorganizer https://www.instagram.com/zerowasteorganizer/

Shane Davis the founder of Plantr in Eugene, Oregon. While in the Marine Corp, Shane traveled the world as part of the President lift squadron which provided global special mission airlift, logistics, and communications for two presidents through 5 countries and over 20 states. After his time in the Marine Corp he founded Plantr where he has been working with his team of developers on an app that helps match ecological garden designers with local community yards in urban and suburban settings on a wide scale. Plantr came to Shane as a way to help spread Permaculture across the nation. His experience and skills as part of a squadron managing important US security missions are now being used for one of the most important missions of all, to design and plant ecological gardens in Eugene, Oregon. As use of the app expands, they would like to see this spread across the US. Website/App: https://www.plantrapp.com/

Austin Arrington is a software developer, scientist, and entrepreneur working on systems to help humans and nature connect and thrive. Austin brings sustainable technologies and systems to market, from green roofs and urban farms, to soil sensors, automation, and machine learning. He is a published researcher and holds an MS in Environmental Science from the state university of New York and College of Environmental Science & Forestry, an MA in Bioethics from NYU, and a B.A. in English from Penn State University. His research explores the intersection of ecology, technology, and ethics. One of the exciting projects he has been developing, coordinating, and launching is a cell phone application that monitors humus/organic matter/carbon in the soil. This device will help to facilitate farmers and ranchers being compensated for improving the environment through their agriculture practices. Planter Group brings the best in technology to garden/farming systems, technology, and green buildings to design and enhance successful systems that support people and the planet. Plant Group https://www.plantgroupnyc.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/plant_group/?hl=en Shugah Baybee Summer Events Summer - Fall https://www.plantgroupnyc.com/shugah-baybees

Cuauhtemoc Landeros has worked and lived in multiple area of California and Mexico. He is academically and physically engaged in the fields of sustainable landscaping, organic farming, permaculture, agro-ecology, soil food web biology, Korean natural farming, and Permaculture. He was part of a small group that started SymSoil which has developed products that increase the diversity and abundance of beneficial soil micro-organisms for healthy soil. He has studied regenerative methods directly with well-known experts in their field such as: Agroecology with Sepp Holzer, Soil biology with Dr. Elaine Ingham Mycology research with Paul Stamets at his facility in Washington Permaculture with Geoff Lawton He has worked with farms, compost facilities, and in production and product development with SymSoil. With SymSoil he has been involved in producing and applying teas/extracts, top dressings, soil mixes, and mother cultures. He has also managed tilth with cover crops/sheet mulching and boosting fertility with these multiple methods He has found it truly inspiring how healthy soil is a momentous pulse that builds upon itself and in short it gets better and better as you nurture and care for it. organicxxmatters@gmail.com linkedin.com/in/cuauhtemoc-landeros-4a8411108 https://symsoil.com/

Walker Sauls, in Reno, NV, is the founder of the nonprofit GreenVibe World and the urban mushroom farm called Biggest Little Mushrooms. After Walker Sauls completed his Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Science he founded the nonprofit while living in Oregon. Later when he moved to Reno, NV he co-founded Biggest Little Mushrooms with his brother and now works as the Head Cultivator. At Biggest Little Mushrooms they pride themselves in growing high-quality mushrooms with as little impact to the environment as possible. Their small farm contributes healthy and delicious mushrooms to their local community through a co-op, a CSA, and soon at a stand at the local farmer’s market. Walker now sits on the board of the nonprofit, Greenvibe World which provides an online environmental education platform as well as organizing local environmental activism events in his area. Walker has always had a passion for the outdoors and nature, and is on a mission to be part of the multi-faceted solution that will enable humans to live in symbiosis with our beautiful Planet Earth. When he is not growing mushrooms or working for Greenvibe, you can find him on the side of a mountain, with skis on his feet, or a foraging bag on his shoulder! Green Vibe World Nonprofit https://www.greenvibe.world/ Green Vibe World Blog https://www.greenvibe.world/new-blog Instagram https://www.instagram.com/biggestlittlemushrooms/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/walker-sauls-973a69142/

Karaline is a marketing professional turned food advocate. With over 12 years of experience in digital marketing and advertising, Karaline has let her passion lead her to what matters most: food, and supporting a local food system! Originally from the Midwest, Karaline is a huge proponent of small organic local farms. After volunteering for a few non-profits over the years, Karaline worked as a summer farm hand this past summer at Prema Farms and got her feet wet selling organic veggies at the busy Saturday summer market in Reno. Shortly after this she was invited to take on the role as Director of the new Reno Mobile Market program Reno Mobile Market Brief From the Director: Reno Mobile Market (renomobilemarket.com) is a NEW local food distribution program in Reno! We function as an extension of the farmers market to connect the community to local and regional organic products and goods. We are called the Reno "Mobile" Market because of our 3 satellite market stands that function for 2 hours during the same time as the main farmers market (www.renofarmersmarket.com), giving people in other parts of town (NW, Central, and SW Reno) access to the same goods sold at the market. We essentially function like a mini market with multiple items, farmer goods, including non-food items like candles, lotions, hemp products and more (items all sold at main market). The goal: to support the local farmers, makers, and bakers in town! In addition, our secondary goal is to help get healthy organic goods to people during COVID so we are selling premade MarketBoxes which is a mix of 8 local and regionally sourced organic fruits and veggies. The box is available for weekly purchase or through a subscription and can be bought online then picked up at one of our four locations. The program was started through a grant provided by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, and has been built to include a free produce box program for those in need. GiftBoxes are provided to members of the community who might be low income or unemployed and in need of a nutrient dense box of organic fruits and veggies. While we will be pursuing future grants to support this program and our general operations, we are asking community members now for direct donations to help keep our GiftBox program running. We plan to run the operation as a self-sustaining program and will include additional services soon such as MarketBox "Plus" which is a way to order add-ons to your MarketBox such as honey, bread, spices, or sweets (all locally made) and packaged with your name on it for the ease of pick up. We accept volunteers, and donations, or anyone that wants to lend a hand or collaborate in any way! https://www.renomobilemarket.com/ RIVERSIDE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays 9am-12pm McKinley Arts & Culture Center 925 Riverside Dr, Reno, NV 89503 MIGUEL RIBERA PARK Saturdays 9:30 - 11:30am 3925 Neil Rd Reno, NV 89502 CANYON CREEK PARK Saturdays 9:30 - 11:30am 1485 Robb Dr Reno, NV 89523 DAMONTE RANCH PARK Saturdays 9:30 - 11:30am 1950 Steamboat Pkwy Reno, NV 89521

Anja Lyngbaek, is the Associate Programs Director with Local Futures an international nonprofit dedicated to renewing ecological, social, and spiritual well-being by shifting away from dependence on global monopolies, and towards decentralized local and regional economies. Anja holds a bachelors of science in Rural Resource Management and a Masters degree in Agroforestry. She has worked with Local Futures on a number of projects since 1986, among others as coordinator of the UK Local Food Programme, the International Alliance for Localization and the International Economics of Happiness Conference Series. She is currently coordinating World Localization Day 2021. Fluent in Spanish, English and Danish, she has been an articulate spokesperson for localization on several continents. Local Futures Nonprofit: https://www.localfutures.org/ International Alliance for Localization IAL https://www.localfutures.org/programs/global-to-local/international-alliance-localization/ World Localization Day 2021 https://worldlocalizationday.org/ Local Futures https://www.facebook.com/TheEconomicsofhappiness https://twitter.com/EconofHappiness

Kara and her family started Stony Rose Homestead as a conscious effort to ensure their family was enjoying the healthiest food possible. From a few bee hives and chickens, they added no-till farming and all with the goal of providing delicious food for both family and community using sustainable and earth-friendly methods. From their hives they harvest raw honey and create naturally healing beeswax-based skin care products. From their chicken coops they gather free-range eggs and from their fields & forest they harvest pastured chickens, mushrooms, fruits and vegetables. Find them on FB and Instagram @StonyRoseHomestead Our skincare is listed on Etsy Stonyrosehomestead.etsy.com Our campsites can be booked through HipCamp https://www.hipcamp.com/dashboard/land/41211/listings

Rachelle LeRude spent two years traveling to various farms capturing beautiful images of organic and sustainable young farms & farmers in Northern California. She wanted to personally meet the individuals of “her own generation who are choosing to be stewards of the land.” In that process she learned about: “soil health, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, food sovereignty and eating locally sourced nutrient dense food.” “This exploration has led me to meet some of the most soulful people and has been a deep lesson in the benefits of community. It has been an inspiration that will fuel many projects to come. I wanted to see who was picking up this role, I wanted to hear their “why” and “how.“ This is a story I am just beginning to put words to.” More recently she has partnered with local nonprofits in Reno, NV to support and advocate for several local organic food promotions. Her skills in marketing, and photography have allowed her to bring out the beauty, fun, and celebration in supporting local growers and community.

Upcycle It Now, was born out of a shared entrepreneurial spirit to become sustainability change agents by partnering with textile companies to upcycle their textile waste into beautiful, high quality, and functional products. Christina obtained her degree at UC Davis and headed to India for an internship with a sustainable design company. There she saw the urgent need for sustainable textile manufacturing and knew that was going to be her mission. Christina and her mother are the founders of Upcycle It Now in Long Beach, CA. Liz Bordessa, aka mom, a successful businesswoman who possesses an innate passion for business development and for years owned a tailoring and alterations business. During Liz and Christina’s visit to India, they saw the alignment between their collective experiences, passion for social and environmental sustainability, and the growing need to address the textile waste issue. Together they created Upcycle it Now a very open and approachable company that is willing to educate and share knowledge with others for the greater sustainability cause.

Upcycle It Now, was born out of a shared entrepreneurial spirit to become sustainability change agents by partnering with textile companies to upcycle their textile waste into beautiful, high quality, and functional products. Christina obtained her degree at UC Davis and headed to India for an internship with a sustainable design company. There she saw the urgent need for sustainable textile manufacturing and knew that was going to be her mission. Christina and her mother are the founders of Upcycle It Now in Long Beach, CA. Liz Bordessa, aka mom, a successful businesswoman who possesses an innate passion for business development and for years owned a tailoring and alterations business. During Liz and Christina’s visit to India, they saw the alignment between their collective experiences, passion for social and environmental sustainability, and the growing need to address the textile waste issue. Together they created Upcycle it Now a very open and approachable company that is willing to educate and share knowledge with others for the greater sustainability cause.

Hux Family Farm is a small 4-acre sustainable homestead that has grown into a local space for healing with animals. They offer everything from goat yoga to kid’s programs. With a mission of bringing smiles and healing souls, they want to bring joy and peace to as many lives as possible while taking good care of their goats. Among the many activities on their farm: day camps for kids, private birthday parties, farm tours & private events. Among the many activities they sponsor on their farm, they also provide products such as raw goats milk, goat’s milk soap and pastured duck eggs.

Kim Rios has a strong passion for environmental activism and education. She obtained her degree in environmental policy at the University of Nevada, Reno, but discovered a predilection for education after spending four years teaching overseas. Kim came to Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) as an AmeriCorps VISTA participant working to build capacity for the Warriors Youth Education program. Upon completion of her term, she was hired on as the Community Education Coordinator to expand KTMB's education program through its Recycling Guide, the Nevada Green Business Program, and sustainability talks to businesses, organizations, clubs, and more. https://www.ktmb.org/ https://www.ktmb.org/recycle https://www.ktmb.org/warriors-youth-education

Lorrie and Jeffrey Scott are brother and sister and co-founders of a small company, Green Village Biofertilizers in Denver, Colorado. Their company produces a natural fertilizer made from fresh-water algae, selected fungi, soil bacteria, and humates. They released their first fertilizer product early in 2020 and are working on many more to follow. Learn about their path of green action as they have used their skills, research, and past experiences to craft a new green enterprise to be a part of the regenerative earth movement. http://www.greenvillagebiofertilizers.com/ https://www.algaegrow.com/

Lorrie and Jeffrey Scott are brother and sister and co-founders of a small company, Green Village Biofertilizers in Denver, Colorado. Their company produces a natural fertilizer made from fresh-water algae, selected fungi, soil bacteria, and humates. They released their first fertilizer product early in 2020 and are working on many more to follow. Learn about their path of green action as they have used their skills, research, and past experiences to craft a new green enterprise to be a part of the regenerative earth movement. http://www.greenvillagebiofertilizers.com/ https://www.algaegrow.com/

Andrew Frank is the the founder of the nonprofit, Space Cadet, in Reno, NV. Every yea Andrew Frank is the the founder of the nonprofit, Space Cadet, in Reno, NV. Every year large amounts of retail displays/fixtures are being sent to landfills. Andrew has made it his mission to prevent this from happening. His Nevada nonprofit, Space Cadet, helps companies repurpose their components responsibly and he is encouraging and offering to help others to do this as well all across the country. This is critically important as many large retail companies are going out of business and these items could be utilized by local businesses that are in need. r large amounts of retail displays/fixtures are being sent to landfills. Andrew has made it his mission to prevent this from happening. His Nevada nonprofit, Space Cadet, helps companies repurpose their components responsibly and he is encouraging and offering to help others to do this as well all across the country. This is critically important as many large retail companies are going out of business and these items could be utilized by local businesses that are in need. Space Cadet Nonprofit Space Cadet Shop: "We opened our store to support local artists, entrepreneurs, and certified B-Corporations. We're a place to shop sustainably and nurture your creative side, all while generating zero trash." https://www.cadetspace.org/

Andrew Frank is the the founder of the nonprofit, Space Cadet, in Reno, NV. Every yea Andrew Frank is the the founder of the nonprofit, Space Cadet, in Reno, NV. Every year large amounts of retail displays/fixtures are being sent to landfills. Andrew has made it his mission to prevent this from happening. His Nevada nonprofit, Space Cadet, helps companies repurpose their components responsibly and he is encouraging and offering to help others to do this as well all across the country. This is critically important as many large retail companies are going out of business and these items could be utilized by local businesses that are in need. r large amounts of retail displays/fixtures are being sent to landfills. Andrew has made it his mission to prevent this from happening. His Nevada nonprofit, Space Cadet, helps companies repurpose their components responsibly and he is encouraging and offering to help others to do this as well all across the country. This is critically important as many large retail companies are going out of business and these items could be utilized by local businesses that are in need. Space Cadet Nonprofit Space Cadet Shop: "We opened our store to support local artists, entrepreneurs, and certified B-Corporations. We're a place to shop sustainably and nurture your creative side, all while generating zero trash." https://www.cadetspace.org/

Among other numerous community service roles, Earstin Whitten is the co-founder and president of Soulful Seeds, a non-profit whose mission is to provide greater food security through community gardens and gardening education. He is also affectionately known as the local “Guru of Garlic” as he teaches community members how to grow garlic successfully. Soulful Seeds, Reno, NV https://www.soulful-seeds.com/ Soulful Seeds Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/soulfulseedsnnv/

Among other numerous community service roles, Earstin Whitten is the co-founder and president of Soulful Seeds, a non-profit whose mission is to provide greater food security through community gardens and gardening education. He is also affectionately known as the local “Guru of Garlic” as he teaches community members how to grow garlic successfully. Soulful Seeds, Reno, NV https://www.soulful-seeds.com/ Soulful Seeds Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/soulfulseedsnnv/

Charles grew up in California, enjoying the outdoors, surfing, and working in restaurants as he attended school. He ended up in Reno, Nevada and is now the program director of University of Nevada Reno’s Desert Farming Initiative. He is an agricultural specialist for sustainable and organic farming practices. His previous experience includes multiple diversified row crop farms, small-scale orchards, CSAs, farmer’s markets and restaurants. He was a part of the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Project where he put into practice the belief that farms can contribute to maintaining and protecting the health of watersheds through sustainable soil management and enhancing farm biodiversity. In addition, Charles is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control and registered Soil Health Champion with the National Association of Conservation Districts. University of Nevada – Reno Faculty: http://naes.unr.edu/directory_details.aspx?hIj7_GDp0x45=1455 Desert Farming Initiative https://naes.unr.edu/dfi/default.aspx

Charles grew up in California, enjoying the outdoors, surfing, and working in restaurants as he attended school. He ended up in Reno, Nevada and is now the program director of University of Nevada Reno’s Desert Farming Initiative. He is an agricultural specialist for sustainable and organic farming practices. His previous experience includes multiple diversified row crop farms, small-scale orchards, CSAs, farmer’s markets and restaurants. He was a part of the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Project where he put into practice the belief that farms can contribute to maintaining and protecting the health of watersheds through sustainable soil management and enhancing farm biodiversity. In addition, Charles is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control and registered Soil Health Champion with the National Association of Conservation Districts. University of Nevada – Reno Faculty: http://naes.unr.edu/directory_details.aspx?hIj7_GDp0x45=1455 Desert Farming Initiative https://naes.unr.edu/dfi/default.aspx

Emy Damian with a medical background found herself searching for safer cosmetics for her daughter. Becoming informed opened her eyes to the hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals in over-the-counter beauty products. Beautycounter provided her a unique opportunity to start her own micro business that provides safer cosmetic products. For Emy this is not just a business, but a mission. Facebook page: Emy's Beautycounter: https://www.facebook.com/EmyBeautycounter/ Facebook group (where I share more personal clean beauty info and giveaways): Emy's Clean Quest: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268025237981638/ Instagram: _untaintedbeauty (underscore then "untaintedbeauty") Website / online store: http://www.beautycounter.com/emydamian (My New clients get 10% off with code CHANGEBEAUTY10) Contact Emy or subscribe to her monthly newsletter: emy.damian@yahoo.com

Emy Damian with a medical background found herself searching for safer cosmetics for her daughter. Becoming informed opened her eyes to the hundreds of potentially toxic chemicals in over-the-counter beauty products. Beautycounter provided her a unique opportunity to start her own micro business that provides safer cosmetic products. For Emy this is not just a business, but a mission. Facebook page: Emy's Beautycounter: https://www.facebook.com/EmyBeautycounter/ Facebook group (where I share more personal clean beauty info and giveaways): Emy's Clean Quest: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268025237981638/ Instagram: _untaintedbeauty (underscore then "untaintedbeauty") Website / online store: http://www.beautycounter.com/emydamian (My New clients get 10% off with code CHANGEBEAUTY10) Contact Emy or subscribe to her monthly newsletter: emy.damian@yahoo.com

Lorie English loves upcycling taking vintage feed sacks, and clothing and transforming them into great handbags, wallets, and pouches. It is a unique creative design challenge to work with these fabrics to produce unique bags in many popular styles. All of the fabric, including the linings are made from other items. ReCreated Website: https://www.recreatednow.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recreated_now/ Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LoriesBags?social_invites=1&si_uuid=e510f50f-7d23-402f-abb5-7092d9baeaa1&user_id=18795170&si_time=1573996202&si_page=shop_home&si_trigger=ss&si_object_id=ui.core.CoreActivity&platform=android

Lorie English loves upcycling taking vintage feed sacks, and clothing and transforming them into great handbags, wallets, and pouches. It is a unique creative design challenge to work with these fabrics to produce unique bags in many popular styles. All of the fabric, including the linings are made from other items. ReCreated Website: https://www.recreatednow.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recreated_now/ Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LoriesBags?social_invites=1&si_uuid=e510f50f-7d23-402f-abb5-7092d9baeaa1&user_id=18795170&si_time=1573996202&si_page=shop_home&si_trigger=ss&si_object_id=ui.core.CoreActivity&platform=android

Interview with David English, the founder of Black Owl Guitars in New Bern, N. Carolina, and wiring technician, Mark Schomaker. Black Owl Guitars make full functioning strings instruments, amplifiers, and electric kazoos. Both of these musicians are talented creators that solve creative challenges to make instruments with great sound from what would have been waste. http://blackowlguitars.com/index.html https://www.etsy.com/market/black_owl_guitars https://www.facebook.com/Black-Owl-Guitars-239474402756778/

Interview with David English, the founder of Black Owl Guitars in New Bern, N. Carolina, and wiring technician, Mark Schomaker. Black Owl Guitars make full functioning strings instruments, amplifiers, and electric kazoos. Both of these musicians are talented creators that solve creative challenges to make instruments with great sound from what would have been waste. http://blackowlguitars.com/index.html https://www.etsy.com/market/black_owl_guitars https://www.facebook.com/Black-Owl-Guitars-239474402756778/

Katherine Prior is a full-time university student, at The University of Western Ontario and an eco-blogger and social media influencer with “SweetSustainability.ca”. She grew up caring and being inspired by nature but began to notice the unsustainable aspects of her life. She has since grown passionate about saving the planet, imperfect low-waste living, ethical fashion, flexitarianism, conscious consumerism, mindfulness, and intersectional environmentalism. With her blog and social media, Katherine tries to find creative solutions for making low impact living more inclusive, as well as increase accessibility in the awareness of climate justice issues. Katherine aims to use her blog as a space to share her honest experience, research, and tips she has learned along her journey to a more intentional and sustainable life, with the goal of creating more climate advocates and activists. Katherine firmly believes every small step towards positive change counts, and that we all have a role to play in creating systemic and lasting change. Kat | The Sweet Sustainability Blog Website: https://sweetsustainability.ca Email: thesweetsustainability@gmail.com Instagram:@sweet.sustainability

Katherine Prior is a full-time university student, at The University of Western Ontario and an eco-blogger and social media influencer with “SweetSustainability.ca”. She grew up caring and being inspired by nature but began to notice the unsustainable aspects of her life. She has since grown passionate about saving the planet, imperfect low-waste living, ethical fashion, flexitarianism, conscious consumerism, mindfulness, and intersectional environmentalism. With her blog and social media, Katherine tries to find creative solutions for making low impact living more inclusive, as well as increase accessibility in the awareness of climate justice issues. Katherine aims to use her blog as a space to share her honest experience, research, and tips she has learned along her journey to a more intentional and sustainable life, with the goal of creating more climate advocates and activists. Katherine firmly believes every small step towards positive change counts, and that we all have a role to play in creating systemic and lasting change. Kat | The Sweet Sustainability Blog Website: https://sweetsustainability.ca Email: thesweetsustainability@gmail.com Instagram:@sweet.sustainability

Lynn Mehl as an environmentalist has taken her passion to save the planet and has used it to take over and convert a conventional florist business into one of the first full-service eco-florist models of sustainability in the country. Lynn while running her business also promotes, writes, and educates that this CAN be done and profitably. Her goal now is to influence and promote green planet-friendly thinking to both consumers and the industry.