What’s Growing?
The Sustainable Solano Blog is the hub for all the latest information about our many projects and programs, as well as a snapshot of grassroots community transformation in action. If you would like to comment or get in touch with local sustainability and resilience makers and shakers profiled in our blogs, please email us at info@sustainablesolano.org
Planting an Urban Forest: Harvesting The Power of Community
“Planting trees can be very rewarding,” Dr. Muick of Solano Community College told her class.
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New “Resilient Neighborhoods” Program Launches in 2019!
We can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate our 20th anniversary than with the announcement of a new program
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Starting your Backyard Orchard Culture
Tips and resources for planting, pruning, and maintaining your own fruit trees.
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Biodynamic Agriculture Symposium Reflection
With the Conference title of “Rediscovering the Heart in Agriculture” it was exciting and reassuring to see attendees from many different parts of the United States and even from other countries.
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Monthly Permaculture Talks and Tour in Fairfield
By: Susan Hiland (Daily Republic) [Daily Republic Full Article] Larry Lamoreux came out Saturday to see the sustainable garden at the former Mission Solano shelter. He is a member of the Sustainable Solano board and practices those principles at home in his backyard....
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Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
The Shalom demonstration food forest installation wrapped up Saturday. This was phase one of a larger goal to create a community garden in Vacaville. The past few weeks have been incredible community events, but the devastation of the fires and shootings weigh heavy...
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SPICE UP YOUR LIFE AND STAY WELL THIS WINTER!
By Lyta Hamm, Solano County Herbalist and Wellness Educator With the days growing colder; the winter and cold and flu season is upon us. Practicing good self-care and incorporating herbs and spices in our diet can help keep our health and immunity strong; increasing...
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Cultivate Community Food Co-op’s Farm to Table Food Pilot
Between August 13th and September 18th, Cultivate Community Food Coop (CCFC) ran a Farm to Table food pilot to deliver locally grown produce and locally prepared cooked meals to our CCFC owners’ homes in the Benicia/Vallejo area. The effort was a partnership between...
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China’s New Recycling Policy Impacts Waste Management Systems Across U.S.
Last year, the Chinese government tightened its restrictions on recyclable trash exported by the U.S. China has historically imported 45% of the world's plastic and paper waste since 1992 with contamination rates as high as 5% per bale. Now, China only accepts bales...
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Permaculture Convergence 2018
By: Nicole Newell, Sustainable Landscaping Program Manager Permaculture enthusiasts from all over the country and beyond gathered at the Solar Living Institute to attend three days of workshops, keynote speakers, panels, skill shares, ceremonies and so much more. ...
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The Narratives of Permaculture
By: Gabriela Estrada, Project Coordinator for Sustainable Solano As a new member of Sustainable Solano, I have had the pleasure of interacting with different members that play key roles in advancing a message of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. While the...
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Solano Local Food System Update: Advisory Board Meeting 3
By Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan, Local Food Program Manager Sustainable Solano’s Local Food Advisory Board had their third meeting on September 18, 2018. This group was formed to support Sustainable Solano’s Local Food initiative, launched in October 2017, with the...
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Creating Community Through Edible Landscapes in Vacaville
Since the launch of its Sustainable Backyard program in 2014, Sustainable Solano has created 15 food-producing, self-sustaining demonstration “food forest” gardens across Solano County on both public and private land. These gardens are primarily irrigated by secondary...
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Regenerate Culture: from the Women of Abundance Gathering
By Marlen Otten, Board Secretary, Sustainable Solano A new movement is emerging throughout the Bay Area where women are connecting to collaborate and embrace their visions for a sustainable and regenerative future for all. Conversations arise about the concepts of...
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Resilient Neighborhoods. Stronger Communities: A Vision For the Future
Richard Fisher, of the Vallejo for the Future Commission, reflects on the state of the world and talks about our shared vision for our Resilient Neighborhoods project we plan to pilot in Vallejo next year. Understanding Biomimicry Biomimicry, as Richard describes it,...
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Solano Land Trust is Interested in What You Think About the Lands of Solano County!
Solano Land Trust (SLT) is interested in your thoughts about the landscape that comprises the county. SLT is just over 30 years old and wants to hear from you to inform their work going forward to meet your needs and desires for Solano County’s future. This short,...
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The Seasonal Food Guide: Your Farmers’ Market Cheat Sheet
We’ve all heard at least some of the benefits of eating local: fresher produce, better for the environment, contributes to a stronger local economy. Shopping your local farmers' market is a great way to support your local farmers and eat seasonally. But before you...
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Urgent message from the leaders of 11 indigenous nations in Ecuador
[Read SF Chronicle full article here] "The accelerated destruction of the sacred headwaters of the Amazon in Ecuador and Peru alone will disrupt the entire Earth’s distribution of rain." As leaders of the Sapara people, part of the confederation of 11 indigenous...
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Got Dinner?
By Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan, Local Food Project Manager I once came across a birthday or anniversary card that said something like this: “I love it when you whisper those 3 little words in my ear…..Let’s Eat Out!” It’s true. Making dinner has become something we...
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Solano Spotlight: Soul Food Farm
By: Marcella Licea In the late 1990s, owners Alexis and Eric Koefoed bought 55 acres of prime pasture and farmland off Pleasants Valley Road in Vacaville, a historically agricultural area. The land had been untended for 30 years. Their vision at the beginning was...
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Meeting Solano Farmers
By Elena Karoulina, Executive Director We continue working on our big vision for the environmentally and economically sustainable and socially just local food system in our county. As a part of our Community Food Center project, funded by USDA, we are finalizing the...
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The Food is Coming: Cultivate Community Food Co-op Launches New Farm-to-Table Delivery Pilot
As part of a large, multi-stake Solano Local Food system project, Cultivate Community Food Co-op, in cooperation with other county organizations, will be working on a pilot project through September 21st with local farmers and chefs to offer participating co-op owners...
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Restoring Our Local Water Cycle Using Permaculture: Lydia Neilsen Launches Vacaville Expansion with Inspiring Talk
When it comes to the changing the environment and global climate change, the cause of the problem — humans — can also be the key to the solution. That was the hopeful message permaculture expert Lydia Neilsen brought to a crowd of listeners on a warm August Saturday...
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New Restoration Project in Vallejo!
The Vallejo Watershed Alliance welcomes Chris Rose from the Solano Resource Conservation District (RCD) to help lead its next restoration project in Vallejo. Since their last successful partnership to restore habitat in the Blue Rock Springs Creek Corridor, the RCD...
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The Buzz on Clay’s Bees
By Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan Over the past month, I (and others on the Local Food team) have been visiting farmers, ranchers and food producers in Solano County to get a more concrete picture of the current local food supply. Clay Ford of Pleasants Valley Honey...
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Sustainable Solano in Vacaville!
[Click here for full Daily Republic article] Sustainable Solano is a grassroots, county-wide movement uniting people and their initiatives aiming to serve the future of Solano County, to promote ecologically sustainable, economically and socially just communities. The...
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Fun Facts About Soil For Children and Adults!
It's no secret that kids and soil go hand in hand. Kids definitely know where to find it and love to dig in it. While they might find playing in it fun, they may be surprised to learn that soil is the basis for all growing things including the food they...
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Solano Local Food Spotlight: The Cloverleaf Farm
The Cloverleaf Farm is a 10-acre, certified organic orchard and farm in Dixon bursting with juicy peaches, nectarines, apricots and figs. Emma Torbert and Katie Fyhrie lease the orchard from The Collins Farm and co-manage the Collins Community Farmstand. For the 2018...
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Remaking and Repairing CA Food Systems
The Berkeley Food Institute launches its newest project, 'Hungry for Change,' a collection of compelling profiles showcasing the work of 20 emerging food system leaders across California who are advancing equity, health, and sustainability in food systems. These 20...
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Solano County Farm-to-Table Spotlight: BackDoor Bistro and Wine Bar
Sustainable Solano envisions an environmentally, economically sustainable and equitable local food system for residents across Solano County. In addition to stronger relationships with our farmers through Community Supported Agriculture, supporting local sustainable...
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