From Passion to Profit

      Is agriculture your passion? Do you relish in sunny satisfaction as you reap the fruits of your labor from your backyard garden? Do you enjoy that brisk feel of morning air on your face when you gather fresh eggs from your own coop? If so, you could be a farmer.

     Many people these days enjoy the comfort of growing or raising some, if not all, of their own food. Incidentally, many more people these days enjoy the consumption of such home-grown food. It is no secret that the local food movement is on the rise, as more and more restaurants boast “local” menu items and farmers’ markets are frequented by a growing and diversified clientele. So, if you are someone with a passion for agriculture and you've considered sharing your hobby, or your way of life, then Sarah Aubrey’s Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business is the perfect tool to help you launch a successful business!  

      Throughout May, Storey Publishing is offering Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business in e-book for only $2.99, exclusively on their website. Click here to buy and download it now: www.storey.com/freshpicks! Whether your dream is to start a CSA, a farmette, or a small family-run farm, this book provides you with all the information and guidance needed to make it a reality. Order it today and learn how to turn your passion into profit!

Mid-Week Motivation From Sarah Aubrey!

Spring is the season of change and renewal. Read more on the change our office is experiencing is this weeks Mid-Week Motivation by Sarah Aubrey.

Brief History of Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

           

In agriculture, we often consider ourselves to be the original environmentalists. We are a people who love the land and all she gives us. Many farmers I know support Earth Day, though there are certainly differing view points regarding what being an ‘environmentalist’ really means. Regardless of your approach to sustainability, have you ever wondered where the concept of Earth Day originated? Today, I asked our new Research Assistant, Indiana University graduate and Washington, Indiana resident, Meredith Deem, to check it out. She also provided a little commentary of her own below.

-Sarah

Earth Day, Taking a Moment to Appreciate the Natural World Since1970

            From rallies to drum circles to mass tree-plantings, we see people across the globe raising awareness for a cause that has the unique characteristic of transcending all human divides-Earth Day. No matter one’s age, race, class, gender, orientation, or religion, environmental concerns affect us all. But what you may not know, or have not realized, is how this special day came to be, the changes it has inspired, and why we continue to honor it 43 years later.

Before Republican Congressman Gaylord Nelson launched the first Earth Day in 1970, there was no Environmental Protection Agency and no organized environmental conscience movement. His efforts buoyed environmental concerns into a national political agenda, ultimately leading in part to significant legislation including the passage of clean air, clean water, and endangered species acts, as well the skyrocketing worldwide recycling and clean energy efforts and even the shift in attitudes we see today toward global climate change. We may not know what environmental concerns we will come to face, but thanks to people like Congressman Nelson and those who continue to celebrate the global tradition of Earth Day, we can hope for a bright and sustainable future for our environment!

If you would like to learn more about the history of Earth Day, check out these links below. Happy Earth Day, everyone! Remember to smell those roses =).

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement

http://www.nelsonearthday.net/earth-day/index.htm

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/

                      

  -Meredith Deem

The Indiana Business Journal (IBJ) re-ran Sarah Aubrey's feature for her IBJ 40 Under 40 Award this past weekend. Take the time to watch Sarah's interview if you haven't already!

Click here to view Sarah's feature in IBJ