What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Grant

The Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts (RIACD) has been awarded $148,853 in grant money by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The grant is called a Beginning Farmer Rancher Development grant. This type of grant is used to help beginning farmers or ranchers in ways that makes it easier for them to get answers to their questions as well as help them learn about the business of farming in today’s ever changing world.

The RIACD will partner with URI, UCONN, and a number of private and public entities to help beginning farmers in three basic ways. There will be a feasibility study done to determine if an equipment bank would be financially viable in the State of Rhode Island as well as Eastern CT and Southeastern MA. There will also be a web tool created that will allow beginning farmers to ask questions and be directed to places where they can access answers to those questions. Lastly, there will be a series of modules that will teach the beginning farmer about his or her business and how to create a financial plan.

For additional information, please contact:

Richard Went, RIACD President
2283 Hartford Avenue
Johnston, RI 02919
401- 934-0840 or 401-345-3974
[email protected]

Statewide Green Drinks ~ August 24, 2011

Today! 5pm to 8pm

Statewide Green Drinks at Narragansett Beach! It's a beautiful day to be by the Sea!

Two RI Green Drinks Meetups ~ June 16, 2011

Tonight! Two "Green Drinks" Meetups:

Providence Green Drinks is being hosted this Thursday by JTJ Investments and Aten Energy Conservation at 219 West Park St, Providence, RI (in back of Coca Cola bottling off Pleasant Valley Parkway).
 
JTJ Investments specializes in adaptive reuse of properties in the West Side Arts District of Providence. The focus is on affordable sustainable buildings for small businesses, non-profits and the arts community.
 
Aten Energy Conservation is a Providence-based and BPI-certified provider of residential weatherization and insulation services. They help their clients simultaneously save money and the environment by reducing their energy usage through efficiency.
 
The Providence Juice Company will be at the event with their mobile juice truck and will have free samples of a special green drink they make. The Fertile Underground will be providing veggies and salad and information about the business they are starting. There will also be beer and wine for other thirsty types.
 
Come by "thirsty third Thursday" evening and meet people with a wide variety of green interests!

Visit the "HoneyBeast" Food Truck for salad greens from Red Planet, Front Step Farm, and McCormick & Wojnar Farm.  You will not be disappointed- try my own Matlashewski family Ceaser's dressing, made with enough garlic to disturb vampire bats all the way to Olneyville.  Drinks, keg beer, "Green People" of this world & the next.

South County Green Drinks:

Our June South County Green Drinks happens Thursday, June 16, beginning at 6:30pm at 19 Cleveland St. in Wakefield. Cleveland is right off Main St., going towards SK High School. Look for the peace sign hanging on the front of the house. Thanks to Natalie for hosting again! Park in the hospice parking lot if you need to. Please bring a dish or beverage to share, and bring your own plate, cup, flatware, napkin, hopes, dreams, extra tomato plants, flea beetle eradication tips, etc.

Nicholas Oliver from Sierra Club RI is joining us to talk about the Go 60 MPG campaign.

Go 60 MPG is a national regulatory campaign led locally by the Sierra Club. This campaign is focused on encouraging the Obama Administration to strengthen fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles to at least 60 miles per gallon and emit no more than 143 grams of carbon pollution per mile by 2025. The goal for this effort is to create more fuel efficient cars using current technology, create new jobs here in the U.S., reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help save Rhode Islanders money every time we head to the gas pump. If these standards were already instituted, Rhode Islanders would each save $474 during the summer. More information can be found at our website.

Special 'Bonus' RI-wide Green Drinks ~ April 29, 2011

The Newport Storm Brewery welcomes 'green-minded' individuals for an evening of beer and sustainability at their new, energy efficient home in the North End of Newport!  
 
On Friday, April 29th, from 5:30 -7:30, $10 will include beer/s, a souvenir pint glass, and a tour by brew-master and chief sustainability officer Derek Luke.  Come by Rhode Island's Microbrewery for this 'happy two-hours' to learn how beer can be green...without being green.
 
Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the Newport Storm Brewery at 401-849-5232 or stopping by their Visitors Center between 12-5 any day but Tuesday, or at the door.  Space is limited.  Doors open at 5:30.  Please carpool!
 
RI Green Drinks at Newport Storm
TIME: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
COORDINATES: 293 JT Connell Rd  Newport, RI  02840

GETTING THERE: Please try to use Earth-friendly transportation: Walk, bike, or car(bon)-pool with other PGDers. Bike there (with a light!) using Google Maps! Or take the bus and use RIPTA's trip planner.

********************

Save the dates for upcoming Providence Green Drinkss 
 
  May 19 - hosted by the Box Office at 460 Harris Avenue

June 16 - hosted by JTJ Investments, Aten Energy Conservation, and Providence Juice Company at 219 West Park Street

July 21 - hosted by Green & Cleaner at 147 Elmgrove Ave.

August 18 - TBD

September 15 - hosted by  RI Foundation's Nonprofit Emerging Leaders program

October 20 - hosted by AIAri  at 158 Washington St.

Clean Water Action & Earth Day

Here at Clean Water Action, we're eagerly preparing for many environment- and action-focused events. Below is a list of our April and May offerings (followed by details)... if you have questions about any of these events, please feel free to contact us at the office!

April 22: Earth in Jeo-Party 6-9pm @ Local 121, 121 Washington St., Providence
April 23: Peace on Earth Day 10-1pm @ 37 Portland St., Providence
April 27: Students in Action 10-2:30pm @ the RI Foundation, One Union Station in Providence
April 27: Earth Day at the State House 2:00-4:30pm State House, Smith St. Providence
April 29: Breakfast of Champions 9-11am @ the Aspray Boathouse at 1 East View Street, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick
May 11: Draw it Out 4-7pm @ RiverzEdge in 68 South Main St., Woonsocket

Earth in Jeo-Party
Our 4th Annual Earth in Jeo-Party event will be better than ever! We'll be celebrating the good work of environmental and social justice organizations in RI, complete with a visit from the Mayor, an earth-centered Jeopardy game, free pizza and desserts, and a killer raffle.Tickets are $10, and can be purchased at the door.
Friday, April 22, 6-9pm @ Local 121, 121 Washington St., Providence

Peace on Earth Day
Join us as we unite with community members, non-profits, and earth-lovers to clean an abandoned lot in Providence! We'll also have some community art stations, education stations, and free t-shirts for volunteers (printed by RiverzEdge Arts Project). Come at 10am if you'd like to be picking up trash alongside Providence's Mayor, Angel Tavares!
Saturday, April 23, 10-1pm @ 37 Portland St., Providence

Students in Action
Join students and youth from around the State of Rhode Island for the 2nd Annual Students in Action Summit at the Rhode Island Foundation. The conference will provide a roundtable for all to connect about environmental happenings, as well as a crash course on lobbying and the environmental issues that currently have emphasis in Rhode Island. After the conference, head to the State House to join the Environment Council of RI's Earth Day at the State House to talk to policymakers about the issues you just discussed.
Tuesday, April 27, 10am-2:30pm @ the RI Foundation, One Union Station in Providence

Earth Day at the State House
Featuring Watershed Counts – A Report on the Narragansett Bay Watershed followed by the Presentation of ECRI’s Legislative Agenda with Governor Chafee, Senator Sue Sosnowski, and Representative Art Handy. Tell your Legislator that you care about our state's environment, that you are paying attention, and that you vote! Environmentally conscious citizens from across the state will be converging at the State House to speak out in support of the environment. Organizers will be on hand to support you and help you find your State Senator and Representative. All Rhode Island individuals and groups are invited to attend.
Wednesday, April 27th 2:00-4:30pm State House, Smith St. Providence

Earth Day Breakfast of Champions
At the ninth annual Earth Day Breakfast of Champions, Clean Water Action and Ocean State Action will honor four of Rhode Island’s environmental leaders for their work on initiatives such as mercury pollution reduction, working with community groups and decision-makers to clean up toxic dump sites and former manufacturing sites, and establishing a non-toxic personal care product line.  Breakfast will be provided by The Dinner Dame. Suggested donation of $40 dollars per person and $15 for students/low income supports the work of Ocean State Action and Clean Water Action. Call (401) 331-6972 to RSVP or for more information.
Friday, April 29 9-11am @ the Aspray Boathouse at 1 East View Street, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick

Draw it Out
Recent legislation introduced at the statehouse would overturn RI's ban on incinerators. What would that mean for our wallets, lungs, and communities? Come to RiverzEdge Arts Project for a community discussion, some political activism opportunities, and a charcoal drawing lesson by one of the RiverzEdge youth! Drop in hours between 4 and 7pm.
Wednesday, May 11, 4-7pm @ RiverzEdge in 68 South Main St., Woonsocket

Hope to see you at one (or more!) events, and please recruit your friends!

Sheila Dormody, New England co-director
Clean Water Action
[email protected]
 
741 Westminster St.
Providence RI 02903
(401) 331-6972 

 
Clean Water Action is a national citizens' organization working for clean, safe and affordable water, prevention of health-threatening pollution, creation of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses, and empowerment of people to make democracy work.

Ed note: All these events are in What Grows On in RI

Green Drinks Newport ~ Networking in RI ~ March 3, 2011

This month, Green Drinks Newport is at Active Sole, 16 Bowen's Wharf Newport, RI.

Stephen Coyne will be hosting the March gathering of Green Drinks at his store from 5:00pm-7:30pm. Food and beverages will be provided by Diego's.

Special guest: Captain Joseph Voboril, Commanding Officer, Naval Station, who will speak about the Environmental Assessment for the development of wind energy facilities at Naval Station Newport.

Green Drinks ~ Networking in RI ~ February 2011

See What Grows on in Rhode Island Networking, Leadership Development & Planning SubCalendar for upcoming "green" networking opportunities.

• February 3, Newport Green Drinks
• February 10, South County Green Drinks
• February 17, Providence Green Drinks

Newport Green Drinks ~ February 3, 2011

Join us at Style Newport, 302 Thames Street, this upcoming Thursday, February 3rd  at 5pm for Green Drinks. Mayor Stephen Waluk will be speaking about upcoming sustainable initiatives for the City of Newport. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Style Newport owner Karen King, and a cash bar will be provided by Pour People.

Providence & South County Green Drinks ~ January 20, 2011

PROVIDENCE

New Year's resolution to make more Providence Green Drinks events? Wait no longer! The Capital Good Fund is hosting Providence Green Drinks on January 20th!

If you've not yet heard of The Capital Good Fund, it is a non-profit microfinance organization that takes a holistic approach to fighting poverty. They provide small loans, one-on-one financial coaching and educational workshops to low-income Rhode Islanders in order to fulfill their mission of creating a poverty-free, inclusive green economy.

Founded in 2009, Capital Good Fund offers a variety of loan products to low and moderate income clients.  For example, their innovative DoubleGreen loan helps people save money (green) and the environment (double green).  The loan offers an opportunity for borrowers to build credit with a $200 loan while in return having a programable thermostat installed in their home, saving the borrower hundreds in heating bills annually.  In addition, they offer loans that enable clients to start or expand small businesses, purchase a computer and apply for U.S. citizenship.  Since its inception they have made 74 loans totaling $106,000 with only 1 default, and graduated 76 people through business workshops.

The Capital Good Fund is located at 127 Dorrance St. Suite 513, Providence.  See you there!

From Bill Mott, convener of Providence Green Drinks

SOUTH COUNTY

South County Green Drinks meets Wed, Jan. 20 in Wakefield at 6:30pm. As always, this is a potluck, so bring a dish or beverage to share.

Please contact David Floyd for location details at [email protected].

Newport Green Drinks ~ January 6, 2011

Newport Green Drinks is kicking off 2011 at Forty 1 [degrees] North this upcoming Thursday, January 6th. You are invited to join us at 5:30pm for complimentary appetizers, and a cash bar. We’ll also be getting an overview of Forty 1 North’s green initiatives, including information about their LEED certification and how it was obtained, from one of the hotel’s green experts.

For more on Green Drinks in Rhode Island, see the December 16 Weekly Update from Providential Gardener.