Sustainable Agriculture

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A vegan refers to someone who doesn't use or eat animal products. Unlike vegetarians, who don't eat meat, vegans:

don't eat any animal products: meat, dairy, and eggs
avoid cosmetics and products that test on animals
don't wear fur, leather, or wool

The Benefits

People follow the vegan diet for three main reasons:

Submitted by augerkay on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 08:46

the problem:

The goal of Book Barn is to teach kids about agriculture and how important it is. It's a sad fact that kids today have no idea what agriculture is and the fact that it is essential to our lives. I just couldn't believe when I asked kids where apples came from and they said the store, or I asked them where their burger came from and they had no idea it came from a cow. Granted, my community is a rural community so most kids have some knowledge, but I still want to teach these kids just how important it is to understand and know agriculture.

vital stats:

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people involved:

why it's important:

This is important to me because children today have no idea how important agriculture is. In my eyes, it's disheartening to know that some kids cannot identify a tomato or a potato. Thinking ahead, towards the future, the kids of today are going to have to make some big decisions in their lifetimes. Book Barn is a program that teaches these children about the basics of agriculture and just how essential it is in a fun manner. We do activities and grow a garden with these kids to really give the kids the hands-on experience. It's not just that we're reading a book to them. We're reading a book, asking questions and getting them to put some thought into this.

the plan of action:

First, we begin by planning, with the librarian, how many children are going to be coming and for how many weeks we'll do it. We plan a book per week ahead of time and get all of the materials we need for each week. When it comes time to begin Book Barn for the summer we bring a book and some activities and our plants for the garden. We read an agricultural book to them and then do an activity based on that book, for instance, when we read a book about birds we will have the kids help make hummingbird food and then put them in hummingbird feeders outside. We also have a small garden with the children that they help plant, water, weed and fertilize. They watch their vegetables grow and in the last session we pick all of our vegetables and make a mixed salad for the kids to enjoy. The impact made on these kids is impressive. The kids enjoy it and it's clear that by the end of the session they really have learned to enjoy agriculture and appreciate it. The most meaningful thing I've seen is the kids telling me how much better their salad tasted because they grew it themselves. I was nearly in tears to know that these kids really understood what we were doing with them and that the program I put all of my effort into worked so well.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by implementing similar programs in their communities. Local libraries are more than willing to cooperate and most of the activities can be done with minimal costs. Being a member of my FFA chapter and enrolled in the Agricultural Education classes, I am able to get plants for the garden for free from the Plant Science teacher. This is extremely beneficial to me and I would suggest that anybody wanting to do something like this, contact your local FFA or Ag Ed center and get them involved. This is a small program in my town and others can really help by starting similar programs.

project updates:

Submitted by acstelling on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 04:04

the problem:

Food Forward attacks issues of joblessness and nutrition-related health problems. Knowing how to cook directly affects long-term eating habits. 28% of adults do not know how to cook (Huffington Post), while US obesity will increase to 50%, 7,800,000 more people will have diabetes, and 6,800,000 more will have heart disease by 2030 (Columbia University). Additionally, USA has 8.5% unemployment, but a booming food and service industry:~8,000,000 jobs with projected increase through 2018 (USBL).

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why it's important:

Vocational. Personal. Communal. Food Forward will partner with non-profits which work with specific populations (i.e. homeless, disadvantaged youth, young adults) to develop courses which cater to needs identified by the organizations. Students will gain skills to pursue personal and professional goals both in and outside of the kitchen. The programs also include a “Pay it Forward” initiative to empower participants to positively affect the local food system and teach others how to cook.

the plan of action:

Food Forward’s courses equip students with practical cooking and food business skills as well as a working knowledge of current food system issues pertaining to justice, the local economy, health, and the environment. I myself boast no expertise in working with specific populations, but I have proven myself as an organizer and advocate. I am confident in my ability to forge partnerships with existing non-profits in order to develop programs that effectively address the specific needs and desires of each student population. Food Forward also includes an apprenticeship program, whereby local chefs and producers give students hands-on opportunities equipping them for work in restaurants and artisanal production. This collaboration also provides students a “foot in the door” of the local food industry. The “Pay it Forward” initiative will train students to start their own community cooking groups to teach others basic cooking skills and garner awareness about food system issues.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by MyPetWormyWorm.info on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 00:14

the problem:

We are on A MISSION to save the Earth!

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

We want to create a ZERO waste community and world.

the plan of action:

We are educating communities, business' and schools on how to recycle, repurpose, reduce and reuse items that would otherwise go into landfill, by using our vermicomposting bins and educational products.

how you can get involved:

Through our educational products and hands on learning children have been learning math, science, art, language, sustainability and social responsibility.

project updates:

Submitted by MyPetWormyWorm.info on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 00:14

the problem:

We are on A MISSION to save the Earth!

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

We want to create a ZERO waste community and world.

the plan of action:

how you can get involved:

Through our educational products and hands on learning children have been learning math, science, art, language, sustainability and social responsibility.

project updates:

Submitted by MyPetWormyWorm.info on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 00:13

the problem:

We are on A MISSION to save the Earth!

vital stats:

people impacted:

150

people involved:

why it's important:

We want to create a ZERO wast community and world.

the plan of action:

how you can get involved:

Through our educational products and hands on learning children have been learning math, science, art, language, sustainability and social responsibility.

project updates:

Submitted by eerohr on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 11:52

the problem:

We are educating the youth in our community about the benefits of urban farming. This includes preparation and planning, nutrition information, work ethic and neighborhood beautification. Our children do not have opportunities to participate in summer programs and spend a lot of time unsupervised during summer vacation. Our urban farming program will teach them valuable skills as well as give them a safe place spent with positive role models off the streets.

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why it's important:

Detroit is known as a food desert, with no major grocery store within city limits. Many children in our community do not get the necessary fruits and vegetables in their daily diets. By teaching them that they can grow food in their own backyard, we are giving them the power to make healthy choices and create a more sustainable living environment.

the plan of action:

We plan to host a summer camp for 15 children for 10 weeks. Children will attend two full days per week. We will spend time educating the children on urban farming and teach them how to care for their own plants.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by PDXorganicpro on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 00:06

the problem:

Portland Organic Productions is working hard to solve problems facing community livability and sustainability. Portland Organic Productions is striving to maintain and promote a statewide sustainable communities growth through revitalization and preservation of our natural and rural areas. In keeping within the mission of the organization to promote healthy business communities, create a vibrant and diverse business districts, create sustainable and livable communities, increase social awareness of the environment and livability, encourage residents to shop local, and increase the spirit of community. Promoting economic and social common good in Portland, to create a once monthly revitalization and beautification event though out the Portland business districts, river fronts and neglected properties to cleanup litter, graffiti, and invasive plants, to install murals, to install rainwater gardens in public spaces, and water ways. This project is designed to make a direct impact on all Portland communities by helping to maintain a clean and safe space for commerce and community life.

vital stats:

people impacted:

34,198

people involved:

600

why it's important:

"I used to spend hours walking along the river bank in Cathedral Park picking up trash with a baby (Thor Foss). As a nanny and a mother I found it very rewarding, however, daunting. I had been longing to make this World a better place and create a positive global shift. My hope is that my son, whom I gave up adoption because of my young age, would be impacted by all my love and dedication to the good of humanity. I knew I could not do this alone...."

the plan of action:

The first step of action I took was going to a community meeting and complaining about the issue. I went to a Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association meeting and voiced my opinion. I was very passionate and disturbed by the abundance of litter along the river bank. when I asked the group who was in charge of the litter removal along the Willamette River the group responded in unison "You are." After just a moment of thinking about it I responded "Yes I am!"

The second step I took was working with local neighborhood activist seeking advice for sponsorship, policies and regulations (for Parks & Recreation and Sound permitting)to get this work done. I gained sponsorship though SOLVE and Metro during this first clean up. It took two months for me to plan the first clean up.

For the first year I spend around 1,000 of my own money to get things like: dumpster retails, permitting, electricity use and food and water bottles.

During the 2nd year I have spend only a few 100 dollars thanks to a sponsorship though Gunderson (a local industrial Superfund site contributor) and they started paying for the dumpster rental and food on occasion. Some local vendors started donating food upon my request.

PDXOP went about this mission by creating the Cathedral Park Clean UP (CPCU) events. These events have occurred consecutively every other month since inception. In the last two years PDXOP's events have removed over ten thousand pounds of trash, including tires, syringes, and glass off theriverside park. PDXOP has made a direct impact upon the beauty, health, safety, vitality,and preservation of St. Johns.

Now in the third year we are looking to expand the efforts of PDXOP outside of Cathedral Park and into the St. Johns business and residential district.

PDXOP has current plans to do a monthly revitalization and beautification event in the St. John's business district to cleanup litter, graffiti, and invasive plants, to install murals, to install rainwater gardensin public spaces, as well as Cathedral Park Clean Up events along the Willamette River.

how you can get involved:

We need help covering cost of supplies like: shovels, reusable waterproof gardening gloves, wheel barrels, web design and maintenance, exterior paints, paint brushes, artists time for painting murals, office space, native non-invasive rain water plants, and promotional materials.

project updates:

Submitted by smithp16 on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 10:52

the problem:

My community is suffering from an economic recession. Almost 10% of the population in Cass County is unemployed, a high that hasn’t been reached since 1990. Locally, the village of Ashland consists of 1,317 people, which is a decrease of 3% since 2000. The median household income is nearly $10,000 less than the state average. At our school, 30% of the students are from low-income households. There are over 300 families in the county that are served by the food pantry that we would be supporting and our community garden would allow us to work with organizations in our local community to provide fresh produce to our residents. Fresh produce is not often donated to the food pantry and many people only receive canned goods through the program. Our plan would allow for a new food product to be provided and enrich the lives of the recipients of the bounty of our school gardening program.

vital stats:

people impacted:

340

people involved:

why it's important:

I grew up poor. Well, not really poor, but underprivledged. I come from a family of ten. My father has lost his job three times in the last three years. I know what it feels like to wonder. Wonder if I'll have enough food for the weekend, if I'll have fresh food for my little sisters and brothers. That's why I started this garden. It helps me feel like I am doing something to help others fight against those worrying nightmares. With the help of my FFA chapter I've been able to create a small, but sustainable source for fresh produce. I donated hundreds of pounds of produce to the local food pantry, and I hope I can continue that.

the plan of action:

The A-C Central FFA Chapter plans to fight hunger in our community by planning, implementing and raising a garden of fruits and vegetables on the school grounds at A-C Central High School. The students will plan the garden, work with the school administration and the local food bank to determine local needs to determine garden size and produce to be raised. We will raise the seeds in the greenhouse in the early spring of 2012 and then plant the vegetables/fruits in the garden in the spring of 2012. Students will care for the garden throughout the summer months. The produce will be distributed locally to people who wish to can the produce as well as donated to families in the local community and to the Cass County Food Pantry. The food pantry distributes food to 340+ families every month. We began this garden in 2011 and wish to continue this project at a larger scale in the 2012 year. We have already been able to donate produce to help the needy families in our community without burdening them financially. Our chapter wants to further this project to serve our county at a greater level and help more families fight starvation.

how you can get involved:

This garden engages the entire community, including the youth. Not only does the youth receive food, but they actually get to participate in growing it. We start out by having community youth plant their own seed in our greenhouse. They get to choose the type of plant they want and they get to take care of it. When it’s time to transplant the seedlings into the garden space the children grab hand shovels and get to it, making sure each plant is space appropriately and buried deep enough. As the months go by the adolescents weed around their plant, water it when it gets to hot, and harvest its fruits. They get to bring their produce home and tell their families where it came from and how it grew. We bring most of the excess food to the food pantry, and with the remaining amount we teach our community youth how to can and preserve food that they can grow at there own home! And you can get involved to! Talk to a parent or teacher and ask if you can start a garden! Get your community involved, donate produce, and get the word out. Gardening is cool and fun for the whole community!

project updates:

Submitted by aanastasia2 on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 15:59

the problem:

We are trying to bring local foods to our college and to provide an opportunity to educate our peers about the benefits of healthy, home-grown foods. In addition, this garden allows us to raise awareness of sustainable lifestyles and of the option of eating local foods over relying on major corporations.

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why it's important:

So many people are disconnected from the processes that allow food to travel from where it is cultivated to the shelves that they find them on. Through our garden and the educational opportunities it will provide, we hope to spread awareness of this process, as well as some of the risks and benefits both of utilizing this process and of growing local foods.

In addition, this project will hopefully be able to expand in the near future to allow members of the surrounding community to participate by growing their own food. Once this becomes possible, community members will have the opportunity to be in more control of what they are eating and where it is coming from.

the plan of action:

We will be starting our community garden this spring, and will be increasing the size and complexity of the garden and the land available for cultivation over the course of the next several semesters as we are able to acquire additional funding and support.

how you can get involved:

Donate tools, seeds, soil, etc. Or, look for our listing soon in the Volunteer Postings to find out about coming down to our garden to help tend to the crops!