[EVENT] 2012 Small Farm Summit, April 14th at Hofstra University

Today is the last day to register online for the Long Island Small Farm Summit!

"Last year, more than 600 interested and committed people attended the 2011 Small Farm Summit on Friday, April 15, 2011 at SUNY College in Old Westbury to promote locally sustainable agriculture.

The original [sic] six breakout sessions grew into 20 with the help of the Long Island Chapter of NOFA. Interactive workshops covered a wide range of topics from food equity to organic gardening 101. Panels of experts, organizers, and practitioners offered their knowledge and help to stimulate a free flow of ideas between group leaders and participants. The conference also include a networking lunch, a series of exhibits, and a closing session to aid in turning the ideas of the day into next steps toward supporting an active and sustainable local farming community." [text & photos from SmallFarmSummit.com ]
           

This year, the 2012 Small Farm Summit features keynote speakers Will Allen of Growing Power and Chef Ann Cooper, the Renegade Lunch Lady. There will be a concert by Tom Chapin to close the evening, as well as a movie screening, cooking demonstration, and build-your-own hydroponic planter workshop. The agenda includes 19 panel discussions, 18 interactive workshops, and a closing wine & cheese celebration, as well as 50 Long Island exhibitors (including yours truly, Locally Long Island!). 

You can register online today or at the door. There are also still plenty of volunteer opportunities for the day of the event. 

This will be a networking event you don't want to miss to get your finger on the pulse of Long Island's sustainable food scene. (And, the food at food conferences isn't bad, either!)

[EVENT] "One Water" Screening at Adelphi University

On April 18th, Adelphi University's Environmental Studies Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Communications, and the Environmental Action Coalition will host a screening of One Water.

One Water is a documentary, narrated by Martin Sheen, that was filmed around the world and examines water issues in the 21st Century. The evening's special guests are the film's Director Sanjeev Chatterjee and Executive Producer Sam Grogg.

To view a preview, click here.

Wednesday, April 18th

Adelphi University

1 South Ave

Garden City, NY 11530

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Panel discussion about water issues globally & locally (Black Box Theater)
Sanjeev Chatterjee, Director
Sam Grog, Executive Producer
K.C. Rondello, Chair, Department of Allied Health, School of Nursing
Frank Castellano, PW Grosser Consulting, Inc.

5:00pm - 6:00pm
Reception with Director, panelists and local environmental groups (Lobby)

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Screening of One Water followed by a discussion with the filmmakers (Concert Hall)

[EVENT] Alula Birding & Natural History Tours, April 5th

Ever wanted a guide for Long Island birds? Alula Birding & Natural History Tours offer birding hikes and trips around Long Island. Their mission is "to inspire people to deepen their appreciation of, connection with, and commitment toward, the natural world by sharing its many wonders, and by financially supporting organizations working to safeguard these aspects of nature in the places we visit.” 

Image from www.alulatrips.com

The next tour is Thursday, April 5th at the Pine Barrens Trail in Manorville to witness the Woodcock, also known as the American Timberdoodle. 

In Nassau County, you can visit the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center 10 months a year in Oyster Bay (closed November & December). The center offers programs for school groups, pre-school groups, and weekend groups, including live animals and tours. 

[EVENT:] Benefits of Juicing at Yoga & Tea, March 24th

Have you seen Dr. Terry Wahl's TEDx talk about "minding your mitochondria"? She was able to reverse her multiple sclerosis just by changing her diet & juicing fresh fruits and vegetables:

Yoga & Tea in Lynbrook will be hosting a juicing workshop this Saturday, March 24th in their studio. You can find more details here, and if you can't make it to the workshop, be sure to visit their new juice bar! The cafe also has smoothies, hot & iced tea, and a variety of healthy muffins, cookies, and granolas. You can check out their yoga schedule to stop in for a class, too. 

Facebook & Twitter for Locally LI

Have you "Liked" and "Followed" Locally Long Island?

There's new Locally LI Facebook & Twitter accounts!

You'll get more frequent updates for Nassau green living, connect with other Nassau residents & share your favorite green resources. Hope to see you there!

Rockville Centre Winter Farmers Market

Happy to report that G&G Farmers Market will be providing Nassau County with New York grown produce this March! You'll also find locally-made breads, pasta, cheeses, baked goods, eggs, pickles, meat, wine, and cookies (for you and your dog!).

Rockville Centre Farmers Market

Central Synagogue of Nassau County

430 DeMott Avenue

Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Sundays from 12pm - 4pm

Green Resolutions

We've all set resolutions to go on a diet, join a gym, sleep more, drink less coffee, etc., and even "green" resolutions can get a little tired (shorter showers, recycle more, drive less).  Here's some unique and possibly more concrete resolutions you can try to incorporate into your life in 2012. Please comment & share what you'll be doing this year to go "greener," too!

• RESOLUTION #1: Use the bulk section at grocery stores

  By buying food in bulk, you can purchase exactly how much you want & avoid excess packaging. Dinner foods in bulk sections include rices, quinoa, dried beans, lentils, and seasonings. You can also find coffee beans, oats, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and chocolate & yogurt-covered fruits for breakfast & snacks. Jandi's & Wild By Nature in Oceanside have great bulk sections -- please comment if you've seen them elsewhere in Nassau County!

  
  

  Jandi's bulk section
  [ image from: http://www.jandis.com/retailer/store_templates/ret_about_us.asp?storeID=7D612D95A81E4D1AB01BA80578A7D64D ]
  
  
  

• RESOLUTION #2: BYO- Bags, Cups & Containers
  Finding a water bottle, coffee mug, and reusable utensil set you love make it easy to remember them on your way out the door. It can also be helpful to carry wet naps & sanitzer with you in a pencil case to clean your hands beforehand & wipe down containers when you're done. You can also rinse these out in a bathroom sink or water fountain until you get home to thoroughly wash them.



Bento Boxes make carrying lunch & to-go containers convenient & discrete.
[ image from: http://secure.laptoplunches.com/AMAZING/ ]



To-Go Ware's Bamboo Utensil Set uses renewable, non-toxic materials
[image from: http://worldofgood.ebay.com/To-Go-Ware-RePEaT-Utensil-Set---Agave/260817215374/item  ]




 Rubbermaid's Filter Fresh water bottles contain no BPA's and have a
filter in the bottle for clean water on the go.
[image from: http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091951 ]

• RESOLUTION #3: Try to eat one vegan or vegetarian meal a day
  It can definitely be hard to change eating habits, whether it's eating less of something not-so-good or eating more of something good-for-you. You can try to make a more gradual resolution to ease into better eating habits, so you can slowly get used to a new routine throughout 2012. Eating less meat & animal products is good for your body & the planet - maybe you can try eating an apple & peanut butter instead of apple & cheese for a snack this year?

Vegan Outreach has vegetarian recipes and resources on its site, like the
"Best & Fastest Chili" recipe pictured above.
[ image from: http://www.veganoutreach.org/guide/ ]

• RESOLUTION #4: Buy less
  In our consumer society & disposable-goods culture, it's hard to cancel out all the messages that "more" and "new" is better (remember the "thneeds" in The Lorax?). This year, for the sake of your wallet, the clutter of your home, and the good of our overflowing landfills, try to really consider the necessity of each purchase. Do you already have something similar at home? Can you put this purchase off until you really need it? Might you be able to do what you need to without it? 

Do you really need that "thneed"?
[ image from: http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~cjermain/thneed.htm ]

Good luck with all of your New Year's resolutions!

Wishing you Peace & Love in 2012

Christmas Tree Recycling

It's never easy to say "goodbye" to a Christmas tree, but when its time has come, you can make sure it goes back to the earth in a sustainable way.

Each village in Nassau County has its own yard waste & sanitation pick-up procedures, and many have special days for Christmas tree pick up & drop offs. These trees are used as mulch in landscaping. Some villages even offer this mulch for free for residents.

To find out how to recycle your tree, check your town's sanitation department website.

You can also put your tree to use as a birdfeeder in your backyard, or as a soil erosion barrier on a hill. You may also want to consider a rooted or potted tree for next year that can be planted at the end of the season. For more ideas, you can visit this site.

Recycled Shoes & Fashions

With Simple Shoes taking a creative break, the search recycled materials shoes had to get a bit more creative! Although many companies offer a style or two of shoes with recycled materials, it can make a much bigger statement (as a fashionista & a consumer) to buy from brands that consistently stick with the values you believe in.

soleRebels tooTOOS  [top]
& Okabashi Classic Flip-Flops [bottom]

The best-known online brands for recycled materials are soleRebels, for all types of shoes, and Okabashi, for recycled rubber sandals. soleRebels was founded in 2004 by Bethlehem Alemu to create jobs in her community in Ethiopia. They now carry WFTO/IFAT Fair Trade Certification & make literally hundreds of styles of shoes, from flip flops to sneakers to ballet flats & slip-ons, all with options to customize colors. Okabashi shoes are made in the USA from recycled materials, creating jobs & vegan styles since 1984. They also have a recycling program, where you can send in your worn out shoes to be recycled at their factory.
       

On Long Island, you can find new & lightly used shoes at many resale & thrift shops, to reduce and reuse footwear. Homegrown Boutique, a new store based in Babylon Village, creates handmade garments, bags & accessories from repurposed materials; they're made in the USA by Long Island artisans.


New York City is the home of Moo Shoes, a vegan accessory store that sells cruelty-free shoes, bags, belts & accessories. They also have an online store if you'd rather not make the trip to the Lower East Side. Moo Shoes isn't its own brand, but offers the vegan selections from other well-known brands (like Big Buddha & Madden Girl).

Luckily, many of today's brands offer vegan, fair trade & recycled options that don't look much different than mainstream shoes, so you can chose to stand out, speak up, or blend in as much as you'd like while still putting your dollars toward sound choices.

Long Beach Farmers Market Winter Hours

Great news! Friends & Farmers just announced that Kennedy Plaza Farmers Market in Long Beach will have extended winter hours this year!

Kennedy Plaza Farmers Market
Long Beach City Hall Lobby
1 W. Chester Street, Long Beach, NY
Open: Wednesdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
December 14, 2011 - February 29, 2012

http://www.kennedyplazafarmersmarket.com

The Kennedy Plaza Farmers Market always has a great selection of food & plenty of vendors available so you can find everything on your grocery list at one stop. And, if somehow something's still missing, there's always Bob's Natural Foods across the street. Another reason to love this farmers market is the accessibility through the LIRR -- the Long Beach station is directly across from Kennedy Plaza.

This Wednesday, you'll find:

• Apples (Red Jacket Orchards)
• Root veggies (Madura Farms)
• Mushrooms (Madura Farms)
• Salad mix (Madura Farms)
• Pickes (Horman's Best Pickles) 
• Eggs (Millport Dairy)
• Bacon (Millport Dairy)
• Breakfast Sausage (Ronnybrook Farm Dairy)

• Eggnog (Ronnybrook Farm Dairy)
• Ice Cream (Ronnybrook Farm Dairy)
• Yogurt (Ronnybrook Farm Dairy)
• Pies & baked goods (Bread Alone)
• Wine - $2 off every bottle (Ronnybrook Farm Dairy)
• Coffee (Bread Alone, Gentle Brew)

• Ravioli (Papa Pasquales's)
• Pasta (Papa Pasquales's)
• Cheese (Papa Pasquales's)
• Breads  (Papa Pasquales's, Bread Alone)

• Soaps & lotions (Clean Essence)