Ok, so I was on Facebook perusing the status updates and a friend shared a link to The Urban Farming Guys website. I loved everything about The Urban Farming Guys purpose and passion for what they are doing. They seem like a great group of families trying to get back to where their food comes from, and turn around a struggling inner city neighborhood at the same time. I watched their video on how to make homemade laundry detergent and I was hooked. We are a family of 5 now so our laundry workload has increased and I thought I’d try it out. I decided when I was done with my $12 a bottle eco-friendly laundry soap I would make up a batch of detergent. It really was easy to make. Since we have an HE washer I cut the recipe in half and made a little less than 5 gallons. I used the Dr. Bronners Castile soap instead of Fells Naptha, but everything else was the same. We’ve got some sensitive skin issues in our house so I was a little afraid of the lye soap. So far we’ve been using it for over a month and it works great! I might make it a little more concentrated next time, but I love it.
The Urban Farming Guys: Laundry Detergent for 20 Cents a Gallon
Georgia Organics: Connecting Local, Sustainably Grown Food
Georgia Organics is a non-profit organization that connects Georgians with local, sustainably grown food. The organization is supported by members and publishes a monthly newsletter (e-dirt), quarterly newsletter (dirt), and the Local Food Guide. In addition, Georgia Organics hosts an annual conference and conducts workshops and field days to educate farmers on sustainable farming practices. They also provide a forum for discussion and educational articles for organic farming and gardening.
Visit the Georgia Organics website for a search-friendly directory of sustainable farms, gardens, co-ops, markets, etc. You can also search for local farms and gardens using their Google Maps search feature.
Green Tip: Sealing Air Leaks Can Save 5-30%
Air leaks in your home are identified through a professional home energy audit or by a do-it-yourself home energy audit. The diy approach can be performed using a variety of tools including a candle, thermal leak detector, or powder to locate the main sources of air leaks. The Department of Energy’s site, Energy Savers, reports that potential energy savings from reducing drafts in homes can range from 5 to 30%. Seal those leaks to increase your home’s energy efficiency. [via energy savers]
The Sunshine and Shores Foundation
By now you’ve probably heard about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. You may have seen pictures of the oil sheens and the oil plume spreading across the gulf waters. If you’re like us, you may also be thinking of ways that you can help in the clean-up activities. The Sunshine and Shores Foundation was created in 2010 to collect human and pet hair for use in oil absorbing booms. The booms will be made out of panty hose stuffed with the hair and used to protect the Gulf Coast. The Sunshine and Shores Foundation facebook page and website provide information on how you can help by hair and panty hose donations, monetary donations, and voluntary support. Check out The Sunshine and Shores Foundation for more information and help protect the Gulf Coast.
Structural Insulated Panels by FischerSIPS
FischerSIPS is a manufacturer and distributor of Structural Insulated Panels or SIPS Panels. These panels are manufactured from a combination of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Fabrication of the SIPS Panels reduces the number of studs in the wall cavity, creating more space for insulation. This produces a wall structure that out-performs a 2x6”studded wall with fiberglass batt insulation. Benefits of the SIPS Panels include; energy savings, reduced construction waste, fewer construction hours for framing, and improved indoor air quality. If you are designing a new construction or expansion project, consider using SIPS Panels to create a more air tight, energy efficient structure. SIPS Panels can also factor into LEED Points in both Energy and Atmosphere (EA) and Materials and Resources (MR). The company currently has dealers in 11 states and is ready to help you with your next green home project.
Search and Connect with Local Farms using LocalDirt.com
Here’s the scoop (sorry we had to). You’ve probably heard all of the “buy local” messages out there, and we believe that buying local is both green and good for our economy. Our favorite benefits to buying local include; supporting the local economy, fresh products, and less shipping distances (equals a smaller carbon footprint). While it may also sound like a social network for neighborhood gossip, Local Dirt.com is a new website created to help you find local produce beyond what’s available at your local grocery store. The site features a search utility to identify local farms, farmers markets, and other venues in your area. Local Dirt provides a way to connect with your local farm on a personal level, featuring profiles and information about the specific operations that occur in your area. They are quickly adding new farms and venues to the list, so check back frequently to find new opportunities in your local area. Businesses and restaurants can also benefit from using the site, a new “buyers” page connects restaurants and boutique stores with the farms. If you are looking for the opportunity to buy fresh local produce, check out Local Dirt for more information.
Celebrating 40: Earth Day 2010
Earth Day 2010 has arrived, are you feeling a little greener or want to take part in the big day? There are several resources out there to help you get involved. Earth Day.org, features interactive ways to get involved this Earth Day. Join a campaign or step-up and take action by creating your own campaign. A location based search feature will help in identifying the latest and greatest events in your area. Over 280 campaigns have been created and the site features 700,000 plus members. Are you one of them? Head on over to find your next Earth Day 2010 event. Take action and “Experience your Inner Eco” this Earth Day!
Nature’s Garden Delivered
Business Description
Nature’s Garden Delivered offers home delivery of local natural and organic fruits and vegetables. The company currently offers delivery services in Arizona, Georgia, and the Ohio River Valley areas. You can choose from a variety of different size box orders, each containing a selection of transitional, natural, and/or organic produce. The company offers free delivery and has a website which is easy to navigate and provides an e-commerce store for setting up a subscription to the service. The website allows the user to review the current seasonal produce offerings that will be delivered and gives the you the ability to substitute produce and select which items should be delivered. They also feature a wide range of local products available based on your location. If you live in Arizona, Georgia or the Ohio River Valley and are interested in having fresh produce delivered to your home, then give Nature’s Garden Delivered a try.
Business Features
- Produce (Local, Organic, Transitional, Natural)
- Additional grocery items
- Online Store
- Local delivery
- Co-op program
Source: www.naturesgardendelivered.com
Contact Information
Arizona
2637 N 70th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
P: (480) 659-4290
Georgia
749 Langford Drive, Suite B
Norcross, GA 30071
P: (770) 441-9976
Ohio River Valley
1-800-939-8591 Toll Free
513-232-FOOD Local
Website: www.naturesgardendelivered.com
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Website: EcoMowers.com
Business Description
EcoMowers.com is an online retailer featuring eco-friendly human and electric powered reel mowers for your green home. The website provides information for the first-time green gardener as well as additional information about gasoline powered lawnmower pollution, the benefits of reel mowers, and more. Check them out on the web at EcoMowers.com
Website Features
- Information on lawn mower recycling, pollution, and more
- Selection of reel and electric mowers
- Electric trimmers and reel mower accessories
Source: www.ecomowers.com
Contact Information
Environmental Elements, LLC
807 Airport Access Road, Suite 204
Traverse City, MI 49686
Website: www.ecomowers.com
Phone: 1-888-ECO-MOWERS (326-6693)
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Website: OurHomeSpaces.com
Business Description
OurHomeSpaces.com develops applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. The company created an application that links household products to your iPhone, giving you the ability to control certain features of your smart home while away. Such as, changing your thermostat settings, monitoring security cameras and viewing the status of other smart devices in your home. Their products are available for download via the Apple App Store. For more information and details on downloading the app, check them out on the web at OurHomeSpaces.com
Website Features
- Link to the Apple App Store to download products
- Product description and services offered
Source: www.ourhomespaces.com
Contact Information
Website: www.ourhomespaces.com
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