Sustainability Tips

Did you know that no-till farming and regenerative agriculture practice not only help the environment but can save your farm money as well? Come to the North Stonington Agricultural Fair on Thursday, July 13^th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm for a presentation and Q&A: “No-Till, No Bull: Regenerative Farming for Livestock Feed Crops. Hear About Financial Benefits Straight From Local Farmers.”

Here are a few articles that have piqued our interest recently that we’d like to share:

• Help us celebrate Earth Day this year on Friday, April 22^nd by joining a trash cleanup in our town! The Sustainability Committee has designated two locations: one at Hewitt Farm (family friendly) and one along Wintechog Hill Rd. Come anytime during the day, and we will provide recycled trash bags free of charge! Find out more here: https://www.earthday.org/campaign/cleanup/#map
• Our wildlife needs your help! Call or email your CT state senator and state assemblyman/woman and ask them to support SB 120. This bill would ban the most harmful neonicotinoid pesticides from use on commercial and residential landscapes. These pesticides are known to harm pollinators, birds, fish, pets and people. Let’s get them off of lawns and golf courses where they are used for cosmetic purposes only.  Help spread the word to support this important bill. Our pollinators will thank you! For more info, visit: https://a405abfc-cc29-4d83-80dc-8317bff89633.filesusr.com/ugd/507894_dc415665a9284ce881fdfad3d0e0f842.pdf You can find your elected officials’ contact info here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp
• Would you like to have trees planted while you sit on the couch? Check out Ecosia, a search engine that gives back by planting trees! Ecosia, a non-profit, uses the ad revenue from searches to plant trees where they are needed most. To-date, Ecosia has planted over 143 million around the world, helping to reduce carbon in the atmosphere: https://www.ecosia.org
• Interested in learning about how we can tackle climate change in big ways and small, but don’t have time to research and read volumes? Check out the podcast “How to Save a Planet.” This engaging and fascinating podcast covers topics as diverse as Recycling, Regenerative Farming, Green Investing and Kelp Farming: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet/episodes#show-tab-picker
  • Notes for each episode of “How to Save a Planet” include Calls to Action that provide tangible ways to get involved and make a difference. Here’s a list of all the actions that have been recommended on the show: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS30vR8zChP03PfKowbeIKgikTtrNn0Wefs7sIjy-sVUAroXizvZ4nFdPS27FvNqGpr396YcYRrdr3J/pub
• If you’re more interested in a good book, check out “Eat Like a Fish” by CT’s very own Bren Smith about his journey to regenerative ocean farming – kelp!: https://penguinrandomhousehighereducation.com/2019/07/15/eat-like-a-fish-excerpt/. Bren also runs a non-profit called GreenWave which seeks to spur collaboration and innovation in this field: https://www.greenwave.org/story
• The Nasty Logistics of Returning Your Too-Small Pants. The Atlantic: What happens to the stuff you order online after you send it back? https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/free-returns-online-shopping/620169/?utm_source=pocket-newtab
• How Stupid is Our Obsession with Lawns?  Freakonomics:  Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are the costs — financial, environmental and otherwise — worth the benefits? https://freakonomics.com/podcast/how-stupid-obsession-lawns/
• Potty Trained Cattle Could Reduce Pollution: Science News: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cow-cattle-pee-potty-training-bathroom-pollution-ammonia
• Maine Becomes First State To Make Businesses Pay For Packaging Waste: https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/07/16/maine-first-state-businesses-pay-for-packaging-waste-recycling