Food

GreenTowns: a Social Network of 15,000 Communities

by Daphne Dixon on January 14, 2013

in Advisors, Building, Connections, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

estyGreenTowns is a social network that supports sustainability, locally and nationally. We believe that most people, want to live in greener, healthier and more resilient communities.

With your help, GreenTowns is sharing impactful, green initiatives throughout the country in 15,000 local, community networks. This allows everyone to share the building blocks that create sustainable communities. And by being connected nationally, and having so many initiatives in one place, we will be better informed, can help each other, and will magnify the impact of what we each do.

So please join me, along with others in your community, and people throughout America. Join your community network and post your profile. Let others know what you are doing and how they can connect with you. We will make a difference by building sustainable communities together. It’s easy to become a part of positive change.  And I am here to help. To get started, click here.

How Green is YOUR Town? Find out at GreenTowns.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne

Director, GreenTowns

(Pictured above is Dan Delventhal, MowGreen.US; Daphne Dixon, GreenTowns; CT DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty and Robert Araujo, Sikorsky Aircraft, celebrating local sustainability efforts at Fairfield Green Drinks.)

You Say ‘Tomato’, I Say ‘Tomato’

by Daphne Dixon on November 23, 2012

in Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, News

What does sustainability mean to you? How do you define that word in relationship to your life, to your community and to the country? Is it a priority? Or something that is better left for when the economy is stronger?

One of the problems with the word  sustainability is that people have a hard time explaining it, defining it and understanding practical aspects of what it means to be sustainable. The word, in some ways, has been rendered useless.

A challenge with creating what some call sustainable communities, is understanding the goals. When most people are asked if sustainability should be a priority of government, the majority of people will say no. But, when people are asked if they want clean water, healthy food, transportation options, long-term prosperity and walkable communities, people say yes.

Somewhere along the way, the word sustainability stopped working. That doesn’t mean that we don’t want it, it just means we need a new word.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Supporting Local Food May Be Easier Than You Think!

by Daphne Dixon on August 27, 2012

in Advisors, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News

A local food movement is sweeping across the country. It is easier than ever to learn about and support local food in your community. Check out the great organizations, projects and initiatives below. There is something for everyone and green initiatives in every town. Please contact our GreenTowns Food Advisors for your immediate questions about local food.

Farmers’ Markets

Meatless Mondays

National Organic Program

Urban Farms

School Gardens

Right to Know

Community Supported Agriculture

National Farm to School Network 

Locavores

Slow Food USA

Fast Food Ratings – GreenTowns Guides

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Easy Steps to Creating a Local, Green Initiative in Your Community

by Daphne Dixon on August 7, 2012

in Building, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Initiative of the Week, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

Would you like to help your community become more sustainable?

There is no shortage of local, sustainability issues. And, there are many easy and smart approaches to address challenges. It’s easier than you think to make a difference. Just follow the steps below and watch positive change happen in your community.

1) Know Your Passion: What sustainability issue resonates with you? It is different for everyone. What matters most to you?  Identifying what moves you, will drive you forward and make your initiative successful.

2) Good Work in the Making: Is there a local group or leader that has the same interest as you? Great! Make a point to introduce yourself to them and share your vision. Work together, learn from each other and together, you will accomplish more and build a stronger community network.

3) Find Out What Is Working in Other Communities: Connect with people who have tackled a similar need in other towns, and learn from their experience. (These people will also be a great sounding board for you as you grow your initiative in your town.)

4) Reach Out to Other Local Green Leaders: People who care about one sustainability issue are supportive of sustainability in other areas as well. They may be busy, but they are usually happy to support your efforts and to connect you with other potential supporters. Also, many towns have green task force committees or groups and are a great source of information.

5) Welcome Other Community Leaders: Everyone is interested in sustainability at some level. Share your green initiative with community leaders at the school, government, and with other organizations. Once they understand your goals, they will be able to  connect you with others who might have similar interests. And they are important members  of the growing sustainable community.

6) Invite the Whole Community to Participate: Sustainability initiatives are most effective when they are shared. Positive efforts bring people together and create momentum. Invite people to help, in small or large ways, and watch your initiative grow!

7) Share Accomplishments with Others: Keep people in your community apprised of the good work you are doing and the positive effect your initiative has on the community. Share your progress with friends in other communities and encourage them to take action too!

Are you ready to start? Share your initiative now and support sustainability in your community.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

National Network of 15,000 Sustainable Communities & Green Initiatives

by Daphne Dixon on July 28, 2012

in Building, Connections, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Initiative of the Week, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

 

Daphne Dixon, Director, GreenTowns

GreenTowns national network connects, shares and celebrates local green initiatives, local leaders and sustainable communities. It brings together successful sustainability efforts at the local level, presents initiatives by town and by category. GreenTowns invites everyone to share their green expertise and experience.

GreenTowns provides a space where communities can galvanize around local green efforts:

  • Discover inspiring green initiatives – Find (and share) successful approaches to sustainability in your backyard, across the state or across the country. Connect with the people leading the way.
  • Share your questions, expertise & support – Use GreenTowns to share your knowledge on a local green initiative, help others replicate a successful initiative or learn from each other. Be a voice for sustainability in your community. Offer an encouraging word to others.
  • Help grow sustainable communities – If we share information locally on GreenTowns, we will hasten sustainability efforts nationally, by connecting with each other. Each one of us can make a difference by supporting green infrastructure efforts and  local initiatives.

GreenTowns connects green efforts locally and across the country, and supports the growth of sustainable communities. GreenTowns is a place we can join together and show the country how sustainability efforts are growing and making a difference.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

  • Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
  • Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
  • How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States
Featured Initiative:

Sustainability Plans for Towns and Cities

Towns and cities across the country are developing and implementing sustainability plans. These plans are the work of local leaders and concerned citizens who want to make a difference and build sustainability into everyday life. Implementation involves the work and cooperation of many people who are interested in creating a more sustainable community. Major areas of concentration are air quality, water quality, hazardous materials, green building standards, economic development, solid waste, transportation, recycling, open space and food. To create a workable plan, all aspects of a community must be addressed. Share your community’s plan.

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Featured Initiative: Farm to School Network

by Daphne Dixon on July 16, 2012

in Food, GreenTowns Categories, Initiative of the Week

The National Farm to School Network envisions a nation in which Farm to School programs are an essential component of strong and just local and regional food systems, ensuring the health of all school children, farms, the environment, economy and communities.

Farm to School is broadly defined as a program that connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local and regional farmers. Farm to School programs exist in all 50 states, but since Farm to School is a grassroots movement, programs are as diverse as the communities that build them. The National Farm to School Network does not prescribe or impose a list of practices or products for the Farm to School approach.
At its core, Farm to School is about establishing relationships between local foods and school children. Farm to School programs include (but are not limited to):

  • Including local products in school meals-breakfast, lunch, afterschool snacks-and in taste tests, educational tools and classrooms snacks.
  • Introducing food-related curriculum development and experiential learning opportunities through school gardens, farm tours, farmer in the classroom sessions, chefs in the classroom, culinary education, educational sessions for parents and community members and visits to farmers’ markets.

The National Farm to School Network aims to enable every child to have access to nutritious food while simultaneously benefiting communities and local farmers.

Questions? Want to get involved in your community? Please contact me!

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

 

Join the Local, Green Conversation: GreenTowns Connect

by Daphne Dixon on July 9, 2012

in Building, Connections, Energy, Food, GreenTowns Categories, GreenTowns News, Land & Conservation, Lifestyle, Recycling, Transportation, Water

GreenTowns Connect: GreenTowns Connect, a monthly resource that connects you to people in your county, to sustainability advisors from around the country, as well as to key, green building blocks going on in 15,000 communities around the nation. Join the GreenTowns community today and receive the August edition of GreenTowns Connect!

Join the conversation in your county! GreenTowns Connect offers a cool, new way to engage with others in your area that are involved with local sustainability efforts! Have a question, information, or would you like to start a conversation about local green issues? We invite you to start a discussion and share your questions or comments about local green projects or initiatives. Just join the GreenTowns community to receive the next GreenTowns Connect. Then you can start a conversation and connect with others in your county who support and care about local sustainability efforts. (View discussion guidelines.)

Promote your event! Share your event with people throughout your county!  E-mail us at pr@greentowns.com and we’ll share your event in the August GreenTowns Connect and on AmericanTowns.com, with combined visitors of over two million a month. Please include event name, date, time, location, organization, and website. Deadline for August edition of GreenTowns Connect is July 27th.

Questions? Want to get involved in your community? Please contact me!

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

 

Sustainability Integrated into City Planning Produces More Vibrant Communities and Economic Payback

by Daphne Dixon on May 18, 2012

in Advisors, Building, Energy, Food, GreenTowns News, Recycling

A paradigm shift is quietly rippling across the country and our communities are becoming cleaner and healthier. Check out sustainability efforts going on in Houston, Texas.

Throughout the country, towns and cities are developing and implementing integrated sustainability plans. So instead of sustainability be treated as something additional or separate, “green” practices are becoming more of the norm. Benefits of integrating eco-friendly practices within a community have a positive impact on air quality, water quality, buildings, economic development, transportation, recycling, open space and food. And, over time, eco-practices not only create more vibrant communities, they also result in an economic pay back.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

Share the link for your community’s sustainability plan on GreenTowns.

Check out Sustainability Plans going on across the country.

How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Learn about LEED Buildings.

Ask a GreenTowns Advisor about single-stream recycling.

Check out Fairfield, Connecticut’s GreenTowns Network

Would you like to become a GreenTowns Sustainability Plan Advisor? Learn more…

Together, we will make a difference.
Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Global Food Production-How Do We Feed the World and Save the Planet?

May 4, 2012 Advisors

We need real solutions for global food production. How do we balance feeding the world and caring for the planet? The University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment is looking for answers. Check out their video, Big Question: Feast or Famine. Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW! Learn about Right to Know Learn about Urban [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

GMO Labeling-CT Takes the Lead!

April 9, 2012 Advisors

All eyes are on Connecticut as the fight for GMO labeling gains strength. Analiese Paik, founder of Fairfield Green Food Guide, GreenTowns advisor, and a founder and leader of Right to Know CT provided the following information: On March 12, in a historic bipartisan vote of 23-6, HB 5117 was voted out of the CT General Assembly’s [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

← Previous Entries