Here are the Ann Arbor area farms offering subscriptions at upcoming virtual CSA fair
ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Statewide CSA Network will be hosting an upcoming virtual CSA fair featuring Michigan farms on Feb. 26. A Community Supported Agriculture share is a subscription program to a local farm in which you pay a farmer upfront for a regular delivery or pickup of their harvest. The CSA fair will consist of two drop-in Zoom sessions: one at “lunch hour” from noon to 1 p.m. and a “happy hour” session from 5-6 p.m. Regional breakout rooms will be available so you can learn more about which farms offer shares in your area. Here are the Ann Arbor area farms offering CSAs this year:Interested in participating in the fair?
Annual Sustainability Forums series returns to Ann Arbor Thursday
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The City of Ann Arbor’s annual Sustainability Forums returns on Thursday with the first of five community discussions on sustainability-related topics. Organized by the Office of Sustainability and Innovations, the monthly forums will be open to the public and held virtually through Zoom. The five discussions will focus on food, green infrastructure, circular economy, waste reduction, energy production and a special topic that has yet to be announced. Each forum directly relates to the city’s A2ZERO sustainability framework to get to carbon neutrality by 2030. Here is the Sustainability Forums schedule and topics:Jan. 25: food and food accessFeb. 24: forestry and green InfrastructureMarch 24: waste reduction and circular economy (tentative)TBD: energy production and useThe last topic and date have not yet been announced.
U-M Campus Farm hiring for two positions in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR – Are you a University of Michigan student and passionate about farming? The University of Michigan Campus Farm is currently hiring two part time student manager positions to start in January 2021. The Campus Farm was founded in 2013 as a spinoff of a a sustainable food student group at U-M. The Campus Farm is at 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. To learn more about the Campus Farm, visit its website.
Ann Arbor business owner named 2020 Energy Waste Reduction Champion
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) has named Ann Arbor small business owner Breanne Stuart as an 2020 Energy Waste Reduction Champion. She was honored with the award at SBAM’s recent Leadership Council event after demonstrating a commitment to reducing energy waste. Stuart, who opened her business in 2008, worked with SBAM’s Energy Solutions program to have an energy assessment completed on her business. Given her swift action and clear commitment to reducing energy waste, Breanne is an exemplary recipient for our 2020 Energy Waste Reduction Champion award.”The Small Business Association of Michigan is an organization with over 28,000 small business owner members. The SBAM Energy Solutions program is offered in partnership with DTE Energy to help Michigan’s small businesses with enhanced energy management services.
City of Ann Arbor awards sustainability grants to 11 community organizations
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The City of Ann Arbor has announced that Sustaining Ann Arbor Together (SA2T) grants have been awarded to 11 community-based organizations over the course of the past summer and fall. The organizations have been given grants based on their efforts to advance community sustainability, including food distribution and community lunch programs, sheltering services, literacy programs, therapeutic art programs, community play spaces and the creation of community gardens. Organizations awarded the SA2T grants are:Shelter Association of Washtenaw CountyPeace Neighborhood CenterChildren’s Literacy NetworkMichigan Ability PartnersNorthside Community CenterArrowwood Hills Community CenterBryant Community CenterCreekside Court Community CenterMiller ManorBaker CommonsAvalon Housing✉ Like what you’re reading? “The Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant program is an important vehicle for supporting our community’s innovation and creativity as it relates to advancing local sustainability and climate action,” said City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations manager Missy Stults in a release. The grant program has $100,000 that is divided into grants of $10,000 or less and awarded to local projects.
City of Ann Arbor expands e-bike discounts with local shops
ANN ARBOR – The City of Ann Arbor is expanding its electric bike discount program, which it originally launched in July. Part of the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, the partnership program with Human Electric Hybrids in Kerrytown has expanded to include Arbor Vacuum. As part of the city’s sustainability goals, Arbor Vacuum is offering $100 off all e-bikes. Customers can also enjoy discounts on two e-bike models at Human Electric Hybrids. To secure the discount, customers only need to mention the discount program at check out.
SCRAP Creative Reuse hopes to keep doors open with Save Our SCRAP project
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – One Ann Arbor nonprofit is reaching out to the community to help to keep it afloat during the global health crisis. SCRAP Creative Reuse is a nonprofit organization located in Ann Arbor dedicated to education on sustainability and recycling used materials. The drop in business inspired SCRAP Creative Reuse to open up the Save our SCRAP project, a Gofundme with a goal of $20,000. Saturday Aug. 29, SCRAP Creative Reuse will also be having a back-to-school sale with buy one get one free fill-a-bags, special deals for teachers, and discounts on school and office supplies. To donate visit the Save our SCRAP Gofundme, or visit the SCRAP Creative Reuse website for more information.