We are a collective of bicycling enthusiasts from the Farmington, Maine area looking to create critical mass, small town style..  Anyone may join!

“Pedal Powered Tuesdays” will occur every Tuesday night during the months of June, July & August. Its usually weather-permitting, so keep that in mind and we will try to plan weekly destinations that either tie participants in with natural areas located close to town or introduce people to local businesses in support of a healthy cause. We think its fun to share the knowledge of these areas and businesses with others in addition to simply getting more people to be active outdoors.

For our “Pedal-Powered Tuesdays Preview” on March 30, weather-permitting we’re going to bike to the West Farmington Grange to view the space currently used by the Farmington Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.  The ride will last for about an hour and will celebrate the recent move by the Farmington Food Co-op to the grange for Saturday operations, Tuesday meetings and Thursday food pickups.  Please join us for a healthy ride across town, weather-permitting!

You may visit our homepage for up to the minute information related to this and other events, here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pedal-Powered-Tuesdays/112403538570#

If you’re interested in joining the Farmington Food Co-op and would like more information, request to join by visiting here: http://groups.google.com/group/farmington-food-co-op?hl=en

The Farmington Food Co-op helps members to buy food in bulk from organic Maine food producers and growers, with little to no mark-up.  Why make a trip to Whole Foods Market or pay an additonal mark-up for hard-to-get items when The Crown of Maine delivers locally-produced items here every two weeks?

thanks for visiting our site.  A new season has arrived, spring has sprung!  This year, we plan to bring to the Greater Franklin County area, enhanced efforts to spread the word about consuming less energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, while at the same time eating and buying locally.  At the current time, promoting non-motorized, local traffic and connecting visitors to the agricultural treasures of this area seems to be where we are heading.  That said, Pedal-Powered Tuesdays will be starting back up on Tuesday, June 1.

We are a collective of bicycling enthusiasts from the Farmington, Maine area looking to create critical mass, small town style..  Anyone may join!

“Pedal Powered Tuesdays” will occur every Tuesday night during the months of June, July & August. Its usually weather-permitting, so keep that in mind and we will try to plan weekly destinations that either tie participants in with natural areas located close to town or introduce people to local businesses in support of a healthy cause. We think its fun to share the knowledge of these areas and businesses with others in addition to simply getting more people to be active outdoors.

Local residents of Farmington and surrounding areas within biking distance are invited to hop on their bicycles and meet at the Meetinghouse Park Gazebo, Tuesdays between 5 and 5:15 PM. The ride will usually last around 30 minutes.

The event is being organized by local community member Jeremy Smith and others.  Feel free to contact Jeremy if you have any questions at 350conservationfair@gmail.com

Also, there will be more information available about the efforts to connect individuals with the agricultural treasures in this area.  We are hoping to have several strands of bike tours (car traffic will also be fine) later in the summer to connect farms with visitors and locals.  More on that this summer!

Just wanted to send a thank you to everyone from the community that came out to our event yesterday at the Community Center.  It turned out to be fun and worthwhile, a success, in my opinion.  I couldn’t have done it without all of you and your hard work prepping for the event – so thanks for your emails, phone calls and contacts.

For all the details and logistics, we did our best to support you.  If you see Jean Luc Theriault and Dennis Haszko, please extend a warm thank you. Both were extremely valuable in keeping things running smoothly.

Thanks for the efforts of Two Oaks to Go for providing us the coffee makers, to Sarah Winslow, Andy Marble, and Mariah Carriero for providing wonderful food, and another special thank you to Nina of Upfront and Pleasant for our organic French and Sumatran roasted coffees.

Thanks for the efforts of  fair attendees, fair exhibitors, the Sustainable Campus Coalition’s student members, as well as the co-coordinators, Drew Barton and Valerie Huebner.  Everything was polished and well-received.  Thanks to Ben Hanstein and folks at the Daily Bulldog for covering our event.  Read the story here.  Valerie Tucker wrote a great story as well for the Morning Sentinel, thanks Valerie! The story is here.

Also, a thank you goes to Chris Knapp, Iver Lofving, Drew Barton, and Dion Olmstead for speaking during yesterday’s Keynote Address.

& to Joanna Wilbur, Joe Stoltz, Jean Luc, Wil Davis and Dion Olmstead: thanks very much for sticking around to help close things down.  And of course a big thank you goes to Steve Shible and Joe Nelson of the Farmington Rec Dept for providing us the space!

I will be sending out hard copies of our thanks in a few days, to vendors and others ..  If you don’t receive one, its because I don’t have your address!  Also, there are two students from UMF who are in the process of working on a documentary video that might be available for public viewing around January.  I’ll try to get word out to people when I hear more.

What did people think of last night’s performance?  I thought it was very memorable.. Thanks to the performers, to Dale Hill and to Jane Parker and Sarah Sloane for putting this wonderful, whimsical, and touching event together.  Anybody else already looking forward to next year?

Please send me any comments or feedback related to the scheduling of events or organization for this year’s 350 day.  I will compile this and look it over with the organizational committee as we discuss the format for next year.

Community-minded individuals can have a huge impact on the greater good, we will be publishing photos at the flickr page for the Conservation Fair very soon, so stay tuned.

thanks,

Jeremy

Glad that we are looking good! Signs, banners, posters, are made. Exhibitors and volunteers have been contacted and here is a complete list of exhibitors: (29 total!)

• Mallett Elementary School Composting Program
• Katahdin Energy Works
• Koviashuvik Local Living School
• MEPIRG
• “Thinking Green,” Professor Legler’s 1st year composition/seminar class
• Western Maine Audubon
• Unbaiting the Hook- Sculpture Installation by Jeremy Smith
• Marble Family Farms
• Sandy River Farms
• Iver Lofving
• Farmington Food Co-op
• The Center for Community GIS
• Sustainable Structures
• Whitehill Farm
• MOFGA
• Scatterseed Project
• UMF SEA-Change
• UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition
• The Energy Challenge
• Western Mountains Alliance
• Maine Energy Savers
• Maine Homeowners Solutions
• Maine Forest Products Council
• Repower Maine
• Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust
• Sandy River Land Trust
• High Peaks Alliance
• Northern Lights Hearth & Sports
• UMaine Cooperative Extension

Please email any photos that you would like to have on the blog/flickr account here: except31local@photos.flickr.com (flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/conservationfair)

You may also send your photo as an attachment to an e-mail to photos@350.org — in the subject line, please include the action location (city and country) and in the body please include a description of the photo(s).

Map of 350 Day Events in Farmington

Here is a copy of the map for the events in Farmington:ConsFairFront2009

Here’s a great article on the 350 Day Events by my friend, Valerie Tucker, special correspondent for the Morning Sentinel:

Green day events planned for Sat.

BY VALERIE TUCKER
Correspondent

FARMINGTON — On Saturday, the town of Farmington will join the world in an international day of environmental awareness with a target number: 350.

In the mid-1980s, a NASA scientist named James Hansen offered a simple goal to sustain the planet: 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the most we can emit without destroying the earth.

Local resident Jeremy Smith decided to do something by participating in an international day of awareness.

“Towns, cities, schools, places of worship, and other institutions around the world are sponsoring events to raise awareness about energy issues and climate change,” Smith said.

In Farmington, a full day is planned to focus attention on combating climate change, reducing energy use, saving money and celebrating the natural riches of Maine.

On Friday and Saturday, volunteer artists at the UMF Student Center will create 350 T-shirts for visitors who bring a new or clean used shirt. Saturday will include a free morning Community Energy Challenge Workshop.

The workshop’s leader will be Dr. Charles Wing, formerly a NASA engineer and a physics professor.

Aubuchon Hardware will offer free electronics recycling at their store on Route 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including televisions, computers, monitors and other electronic devices.

The UMF Conservation Day Fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will include exhibits and demonstrations on weatherization and sustainable home design, affordable renewable-energy sources for the home, and low-impact living. At 1 p.m., William Bonsall will speak at UMF’s North Dining Hall.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the campus efforts to recycle, reduce and reuse all types of materials. Starting at 1 p.m., children 4 to 12 can make Halloween masks from recycled materials in the lobby of the Education Center. At 4 p.m., visitors can be part of an outdoor video shoot in the High Street commuter parking lot.

“Wear a green shirt or jacket,” Smith said.

From 5 to 7 p.m., the Congregational Church will host a community potluck supper, with drop-off for dishes starting at 2 p.m. A free concert, starting at 7:30 p.m. in Nordica Auditorium, will end the day.

For more information, e-mail nteel@localnet.com or intern@ uwtva.org.

The E3 Network’s website contains a lot of great information that helps organize and offer public access to open source materials, dissertations, and educational resources.   In addition to the news and information on the environment, the E3 Network also hosts trainings and summer internships related to green economic sectors and works within a Climate Economics Taskforce.

Here are the goals of the taskforce:

“The goal of the climate taskforce is to establish an integrated response to climate change that is firmly rooted in science and in E3’s commitment to social justice. The research of the climate taskforce is guided by the following principles:

• Risk and uncertainty are fundamental to the climate problem; the magnitude and the irreversibility of uncertain, but possible, worst-case climate impacts dominate the analysis of policy options.

• Ethics and equity are inseparable from economic analysis; there are deep questions of fairness between rich and poor today, and between present and future generations, at stake in the debate.

• The severity of the problem and the scope of the required response are so great that marginal analysis of small changes and modest adjustments of market-based instruments are inadequate to the task of understanding and protecting the earth’s climate.”  ~ From E3 Network Website

Here’s a link to their manifesto: Real People, Real Environments, and Realistic Economics

Check it out!  Here’s a link to their paper on the Economics of 350.

Now’s the time for us to lead:

Maurer Meals –

Raising money for the Justin A. Maurer Memorial Scholarship

whilst raising awareness to improve local community health

nutritionally, economically, environmentally and spiritually.

Date: October 24th

The Idea:

Towns, cities, schools, places of worship, and other institutions around the world are sponsoring events to raise awareness about energy issues and climate change.

Our Town:

A full day of events that focus attention on combating climate change, reducing energy use (and saving money!), and celebrating the natural riches of Maine.

Events

8 am:

350 Bell Ringing

The Old South Congregational Church will ring its bells 350 times to usher in the International Day of Climate Awareness

8:30 am-12:30 pm:

The Community Energy Challenge Workshop

Old South Congregational Church, Maine Street, Farmington


Well-known energy guru Dr. Charlie Wing will lead a free workshop on key concepts of the Energy Challenge, a program using simple home energy assessments and weatherization to improve people’s homes.
Free but space is limited, please reserve your place by email. Training workshops will be held at later dates for volunteers.


Sponsors: Franklin County Energy Resource Team & United Way of the Tri-Valley Area (via a grant from the Maine Commission for Community Service)


For more info: conservationfair.wordpress.com/join-the-community-energy-challenge/ and Nancy Teel (nteel@localnet.com) or Isaac Frith (intern@uwtva.org)

9 am–3 pm:

Free Electronics Recycling

Aubuchon Hardware Parking Lot, Rt 2 & 4, Farmington


Free recycling of TVs. Computers, monitors, and other electronic devices


Sponsor: Old South Congregational Church, Farmington; co-sponsored by UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition
For more info: www.ewastemaine.com or contact Magri@maine.edu

10 am-4 pm:

The Farmington Conservation Fair

Community Center, Middle Street, Farmington


A full day of energy exhibitors, workshops, speakers, local foods, and more – free!


We’re asking for a donation towards to reimburse the work of area businesses that donated light breakfast refreshments. Thanks for the support of Upfront & Pleasant, Marble Family Farms, The Chocolate Shoppe, The Lost Bikini Cafe and Two Oaks for go for helping to provide food and drink.

11-12:15 PM

Farmington Conservation Fair Keynote Address

Local Living: Having Fun Playing the Sustainability Game

Dion Olmstead: weatherization & sustainable home design
Iver Lofving: affordable renewable energy for the home
Chris Knapp: local, sustainable living


Organizer: Jeremy Smith; co-sponsored by the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition, Koviashuvik Local Living School.


For more info or for exhibitor sign up: Jeremy Smith (350conservationfair@gmail.com) & conservationfair.wordpress.com/tag/350-org/

1-2:30 pm:

Talk on Bioefficiency by Will Bonsall

North Dining Hall, UMF


Will is a leader in the conservation of crop genetic resources, Director of Scatterseed in Industry, a director of Seed Savers national organization, and author of Yaro Tales.


Plenty of time for Question & Answer and Discussion


Organizer: Jeremy Smith
For more info: 350conservationfair@gmail.com & conservationfair.wordpress.com/tag/350-org/

1-3 pm:

Tours of Sustainability & Nature at UMF

Sign up in the foyer of the Education Center, UMF


Four free tours: Education Center, Aramark Food Services, Arboretum, Local Geology


While on a tour, drop off your kids for mask making (see below)


Sponsor: UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition
For more info: Valerie Huebner (huebner@maine.edu) or Drew Barton (Barton@maine.edu)

1-3 pm:

Children! Make Halloween Masks from Recycled Materials

Lobby, Education Center, UMF


Free for children 4-12 years of age


Sponsors: Alpha Phi Omega (UMF Service Club), UMF’s Everyone’s Resource Depot, UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition.


For more info: Ruby Bond (ruby.l.bond@maine.edu), Valerie Huebner (huebner@maine.edu), or Drew Barton (Barton@maine.edu)

4 pm (sharp):

350 Day Outdoor Video Shoot

High Street Commuter Lot, UMF


Want to be on YouTube? Here’s your chance!
Join us wearing a green shirt or jacket, and bring a bike if you can


Sponsors: UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition and UMF SEA-Change
For more info: Valerie Huebner (huebner@maine.edu) or Drew Barton (Barton@maine.edu)

5-7 pm:

Community Potluck Supper

Old South Congregational Church, Main Street, Farmington


Dishes accepted at the church starting at 2 pm


Local foods encouraged but not required.


Sponsor: Old South Congregational Church
For more info: Eileen Liddy (epliddy@yahoo.com)

7:30 pm:

350 Day Concert – “The Power of Music”

Nordica Auditorium, UMF


Great variety of local talent performing songs and readings that inform, inspire and entertain, including Ruth Hill, Bill Berlinghoff, Jane Parker, Seth Fogg, members of Northfield, a children’s chorus, UMF student members of Cleffnotes, and many others.


Song Contest, the winner performed at the concert!


Sponsor: WordPlay Theater; co-sponsored by the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition


For more info: Sarah Sloane (Sloane@maine.edu or 778-4770) and https://conservationfair.wordpress.com/
Free! (Donations accepted to cover costs.)

WordPlay Theater

Announces:

A Song-writing Contest

For the 350 Day Celebration on October 24th!

Do you have a song you’ve written about the current global climate crisis? Have you always wanted to write one? Now is your chance! Write and submit a song to our contest and win the opportunity to perform or have it performed on the evening of October 24th in Nordica Auditorium during the 350 Day Concert.

For those of you who don’t yet know, 350 Day is an international day of global climate awareness. The number “350” refersto the highest amount of carbon dioxide (in parts per million) in the atmosphere that can be sustained without global climate change occurring. We are well above that number now and climbing. Communities throughout the world are planning many activities to raise the awareness of this crisis on Oct 24th; Farmington along with UMF has a full day of activities planned.

WordPlay Theater is putting together an entertaining and informative evening concert featuring such local performers as Bill Berlinghoff, Ruth Hill, and many others. The theme of the concert is “what can musicians do?” and will capstone the day’s activities in Farmington. Musicians historically have had great impact on people in many ways: increasing awareness, stimulating change, amusing, and distracting, for example. The 350 concert will do all those and more, using music and song both from today and from the past.

We would love to include a local song written just for this occasion. So we are sponsoring a contest. All types of original songs will be considered.  They can be funny, serious, informative, folksy, modern, classical-sounding, solo, ensemble, etc.  The only criteria are that the song deals with the issue at hand specifically (global climate change) and that it can be performed with minimal staging.

The winning song will be performed in the evening during the 350 Day Concert in Nordica Auditorium on Oct 24th at 7:30 PM.   For those of you who write songs but would rather not get up and perform, we have willing singers available to do that for you.  For those of you who like to perform, we would love to have you sing your song yourself!

The judges (not involved themselves in the show at all) will be making their decision based on originality, appropriateness of the theme, musicality, and performability.   Judging will be blind (no names given to judges).

Deadline for submissions is October 12th.  The winner will be announced the following week.  Simply send a recording of the song (rough is ok!) or a link on the web and a print-out of the lyrics to Sarah Sloane via email (Sloane@maine.edu) or snailmail (Division of Natural Sciences, UMF, Farmington, ME 04938).

Please call (778-4770) or email me with questions.

Forum on Climate

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

October 15 Thursday 12 PM

Thomas Auditorium (Preble 117)
Speaker:Dr. Drew Barton

ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE:

PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE

How did changing climate affect life in the past?

Is there already a detectable fingerprint of climate change on living systems today?

What might we expect in the future?

The last part of the talk will focus on Maine and New England.

October 24 Saturday – All Day

Farmington Community Center

& UMF Education Building

350.org and local community affiliates

& UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION

Farmington Conservation Fair 2009:

Sustainable Practices for Farms, Businesses, & Community

http://www.350.org/o24/action/5301

http://www.350.org/o24/action/4874

October 29 Thursday 12 PM

Lincoln Auditorium (Roberts C131)

Speakers: Drs. Linda Beck, Scott Erb,

and James Melcher & Nancy Varin

CLIMATE, PEOPLE, AND POLITICS

How can political systems, at the international, national, and local levels, realistically contribute to solving the problem?

November 5 Thursday

All events in Lincoln Auditorium (Roberts C131)

12PM: Dr. Paul Mayewski

CLIMATE CHANGE: PERSPECTIVE,

SURPRISES, OPPORTUNITIES

• What is climate?
• Why does climate change?
• How fast does climate change?
• Have humans impacted climate?
• How small a change in climate is
important?
• Is recent climate change part of a
natural process or in a “new
state”?
• Where do we go next?
• What do we do next?

4pm: Dr. William Ruddiman

DID EARLY FARMING PREVENT

A NEW ICE AGE? THE ANSWER: YES!

• Greenhouse-gas trends in recent millennia differed
from those of previous interglaciations.
• Previously, they had always gone down; this time they
went up.
• These unexpected reversals in gas trends coincide
with the spread of agriculture.
• Conclusion: humans started interfering with (and
warming) climate thousands of years ago.
• Modeling experiments suggest these gas emissions
stopped the onset of a new ice age.
• CO2 levels then dropped significantly during the
cooling into the Little Ice Age (1200-1800 A.D.).
• Pandemics that killed tens of millions of people were
a major cause of these drops.
• As farmers died, forests reclaimed the land and took
up large amounts of CO2.
• So: pandemics were a significant factor in causing the
Little Ice Age.

7pm: Panel discussion with Drs.

Ruddimanand Mayewski moderated

by UMF Provost Allen Berger

November 19 Thursday,

Lincoln Auditorium (Roberts C131)

Speaker: Dr. Thomas Eastler

THE TIGHTLY INTERLINKED

PROBLEM OF ENERGY

Energy is the fundamental limiting factor. Solutions to the energy-climate problem include: using less, greater efficiency, non-fossil sources, and (if carbon is sequestered) carbon-based
sources.