(Please fill out a little feedback survey I put together by following this link. Don't forget to check out our informational video playlist of the month - Building A Local Food Economy.)
Local Aquaculturist Earl Ward has been embarking on some great adventures this month. Earl Ward has recently been asked to Co-Chair the regional chapter of the National Aquaponics Association, so it will be nice to have a Northwest Indiana presence in an organization that is the fast becoming one of the best opportunities for creating jobs. Also, Earl's business sense has realized an opportunity this season. His venture in Chenoa, Illinois, which will put up one of the largest aquaponic farms in the nation (if not the planet), is developing as this is being written. He is now part owner in Fresh Start Aquaponics, and his Aquaponic Farm in Gary, Indiana will soon be known as the Gary division of Fresh Start Aquaponics (although still locally owned and operated!). Seems that all of his tinkering and engineering passions are finally turning from hobby to job creation.
According to Sandra Rodriguez of the Stewart House Urban Farm Project, things are moving along quite well. They had a "Black Earth Friday" event (click to see the article from the Post-tribune) and had an "uplifting, invigorating, productive, happy work day!" on their community farm and gardens. They really laid down their vision to community members and began work on a trail around the Stewart House site. She also had a great turnout at her aquaponics workshop fundraiser with guest speaker Earl Ward. He broke down the mechanics of aquaponics and really spoke to the heart of the matter of how aquaponics can provide food security for local communities by growing safe food that creates jobs and supports the local economy.
Need a local Christmas tree? Dennis is another great gentleman that I met this month; he lives on a nice 10 acre property just south of Valparaiso. Dennis is another aquaponics master, but he specializes in pond plants, koi fish, and tropical plants. He also has standing Christmas trees on his property and grows pumpkins in the fall, nursery plants in the spring and has a few very unique craft projects on the side. You will have to go to his business to find out for yourself what they are! If you wish to get a hold of Dennis his phone number is 219-477-6704 and he is located 216 W. 100 S. Valparaiso, IN 46385.
Butler Winery is another addition to my growing list of Localvore contacts. You just have to love a hobby that takes you to a winery. Their staff is not only very knowledgeable about their wines, but also knowledgeable about herb gardening and bees. They also attended Chesterton's Winter Market day at Westchester Intermediate School. I guess I will have to go back to the Winery and ask them how things went. :P
Next on my list is NIPSCO. Now what could NIPSCO have to do with local food? Local food starts with local power, and if you're able, you can sell your power back to NIPSCO and slowly help the region move off coal power. NIPSCO has been working with the Michigan City Beyond Coal Group and now offers two renewable energy options to its customers for solar, wind, and biomass. They offer a net metering program and a pilot feed-in tariff program. This program started in the beginning of the year and only recently have they been working hard to work out some of the technological kinks. Valparaiso University has also been working with NIPSCO to make this possible. It's another uplifting example of community in action, and a great Christmas gift from NIPSCO.
As always, if you would like to tell the Local Food Guild about others in your community who are involved with local food, please let us know by going to the How Do I get Involved page of the Northwest Indiana Local Food Guild site. We're always looking for contributions and always wanting to meet others in the community. In the beginning of the year 2012 we will be looking for artists who are looking for paid work. The Northwest Indiana Local food Guild is looking for new designs for its brochures and the upcoming Northwest Indiana Local Food Guide. We are also looking for information on any other community garden projects to add to the upcoming Local Food Guide. We are also always looking for local writers that wish to help share their communities' news on the Guild website.
If you're looking for a local holiday gift, check out Maple City Roasters, who roast coffee beans in La Porte; it's as local as a tropically-grown plant can get! Happy holidays, and we'll see you in the New Year!
I almost forgot, if you need to remember our website address, just remember ... www.tinyurl.com/nwilfg Thanks for your time and have a splendid Winter Solstice !!!
No comments:
Post a Comment