The first annual Growing Power Regional Training Weekend will be held at the Amador Hill farm campus of the Women's Environmental Institute on October 23-24. Registration is available on line, click here. 

With Will Allen as keynote speaker, a fundraising dinner for WEI (a new Growing Power Regional Outreach Training Center) will also be held at Macalester College on Friday, October 22, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Kagin Commons Ballroom. Tickets for the October 22 Lecture/Dinner are on sale on-line or by mail. We will keep you posted as the details for these events are developing.

The October 23-24 Saturday-Sunday Growing Power Weekend training is scheduled to include two days of workshops and lecturettes, tentatively including composting and vermiculture, hoophouse building and growing season extension, aquaponics building and fish husbandry, root cellar building and food storage, microgreen production, beekeeping and honeymaking, solar energy applications to the farm, organic berry growing, organic orcharding, garlic farming, and assorted lectures including: What is Organic and Why Do It?, Outside the Box: Creating Organic Food Farming Networks, Digester Construction and Dynamics, Biointensive Gardening, Soil Remediation Strategies, How and Why to Do Organic Certification.  This list is tentative but mostly reliable. Final confirmation on the workshop schedule will be posted by September 15, 2010.  All workshops and classes are in compliance with WEI farm campus standards including organic certification, WEI's mission, and campus regulations, such as no smoking, no pets, and children welcome with caring and supervising adults. Photo of Will Allen at Growing Power, Milwaukee. 

The cost of the weekend training is $250 per person, and includes food, workshops, and Saturday evening dance at the Amador Township Hall.  The opportunity to work with Will Allen and the Growing Power and WEI teaching staff is an opportunity worth the investment in this weekend as we join this great effort to build the organic food revolution:  urban and rural together!

Interested co-sponsors should contact WEI at 651-583-0705 for ways to contribute.

On-Line Registration for Growing Power Weekend October 23-24.    

Scholarship opportunities.     Volunteer opportunities. 

Hotel and other Accommodations near WEI  

Who is Will Allen? MacArthur Fellow and former basketball pro Will Allen is challenging the way we think about farming and food delivery systems. Committed to the vision of full access to fresh, healthy, local, affordable food in underserved, urban communities, Allen founded Growing Power in Milwaukee in 1995. Allen's thoughtfully integrated urban farming model provides a platform to address not only sustainable cultivation, production and food-networking practice, but also environmental and social justice issues and farming operations that combine large urban organic farming projects and small rural organic farm production to promote and implement food accesss and food justice for all communities, especially those existing in inner city food deserts*.

* A food desert is a district with little or no access to foods needed to maintain a healthy diet but often served by fast food restaurants or corner stores that carry mostly processed and high fructose corn syrup foodstuffs.This can also be true of rural areas that grow industrial farm crops but cannot feed the local community with an abundant access to fresh, local and organic produce.

You can also register by mail by downloading forms and sending a check:
Lecture/Dinner October 22 (mail registration)    
Growing Power Training Weekend October 23-24. (mail registration)
We are not able to offer one-day registration for the weekend training. 

The Women’s Environmental Institute is proud to be selected as one of the organizational beneficiaries of the new ReGo Conversion Company. What that means is that for every conversion of a hybrid vehicle to plug-in hybrid installed by ReGo from August 18 to August 31, if you mention that WEI referred you, WEI will receive $200! Go ReGo!

ReGo (http://regoelectric.com/) has made  an important innovation in automotive technology that will revolutionize energy usage and significantly reduce automotive carbon emissions and pollution. ReGo is a brainchild shared by two WEI members and long-time supporters, who helped develop the ReGo conversion -- converting existing hybrid vehicles to full plug in conversions.  A plug-in conversion vehicle will typically get 60-85 miles per gallon and save an additional 2000 pounds of CO2/year over a regular hybrid.  Rego has also been working to help customers find affordable hybrid vehicles so you can apply for the conversion ReGo offers.  The cost of conversion is $4995 plus tax and is eligible for a 10 % federal tax credit. The conversion takes about two days, doesn’t use up any cargo space and comes with a two year warranty.

This project is important not only to hybrid car owners but for all of us. As you know, WEI’s work on the impacts of global climate change, especially on our low-income, inner city communities of color is one of our primary environmental justice concerns.  As we have looked at health disparities related to toxic exposure, air pollution in these inner city neighborhoods rises to the top—especially related to serious asthma  (which is endemic  for our children and is the number one reason they miss school.) To reduce air toxics, WEI has asked the Metropolitan Council to prioritize hybrid buses on inner city streets.  And we have been waiting a long time for plug-in hybrid autos in Minnesota.  Did you also know that 17% of all carbon emission in the US is from light passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs and pickups)?

An Exploration of Organic Farming and the Foods Revolution          Register On-Line

Time: Monday evenings (unless otherwise posted) 6:00-8:00
Where: Midtown Global Market (920 East Lake Street)

Featured Speaker on August 16: The Future of Alternative Farming and Food Justice in Minnesota --Mark Ritchie (Minnesota Secretary of State and founder IATP)

Organic Farm School is a ten-week lecture, discussion, and field course on organic food production and agriculture from environmental, social, and historical perspectives, connecting environmental justice with agriculture and food justice. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop practical skills in organic horticulture through hands-on workshops at the WEI alternative farm campus and farm field trips

June 7:   “Hmong Family Farming and Sustainable Agriculture in Minnesota”  Mhonpaj Lee– (Mhonpaj’s Garden— Organic Hmong-owned CSA)  
June 14: “Effects of Common Pesticides at Environmental Concentrations” Warren Porter— (Zoology Professor)- University of Wisconsin-Madison
June 21:  "Biodiversity in Organic Farming” Atina Diffley- (Farmer and Educator)- Organic Farming Works 
June 28:  “Can Organic Food Feed the World? Bud Markhart —   (Organic Horticulture Professor and Researcher) - University of MN-Twin Cities
July 12:   "It All Comes Down to Humus” Pat Farrell  (Geography Professor)- University of MN Duluth  
July 19:   “Urban Farming Basics” Courtney Tschida (Student Program Coordinator) Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
July 23:    Due to an unavoidable surgery for Will Allen early in July, this weekend of events has been postponed to October 22-24.
July 26:   TBD
Aug 2:     “What IS Organic?” Meg Moynihan -  (Organic & Diversification Specialist) - MN Department of Agriculture 
Aug 9:      "The Fight Against Transgenic Corn in Rural Mexico" -- Maria Regan-Gonzalez
Aug 16:   "The Future of Alternative Farming and Food Justice in Minnesota --Mark Ritchie (Minnesota Secretary of State)

Registration includes three Saturday Field Days-Hands-On Workshops and Tours! Classes start Monday, June 7th at 6pm at the Midtown Global Market located at 920 E Lake St ,Minneapolis Full class registration is $120, drop-in class- $20, drop-in field day- $10. 
Parking Validation for students enrolled in 10 week session. For more info or to register, call WEI at 651.583.0705 or visit www.w-e-i.org/ organic-farm-school

WELCOME  to The Mother Brick Project

A celebration of the nurturing spirit, fostering aculture of caring for each other and the earth 

VIEW TRIBUTES

WHAT IS THE MOTHER BRICK PROJECT: For a new and meaningful twist on gift giving, check out our new MOTHER BRICK PROJECT. If you join in this large collective effort, you can honor a mother, grandmother or other nurturing individual by dedicating a virtual brick in their name and submitting a written tribute and/or photgraph that will be permanently posted to the WEI Mother Brick Website.  Mother Bricks may be dedication as a gift or memorial, and particpants so honored will receive a Certificate of Dedication as a keepsake or gift enclosure.  The posting of these tributes recognizes your tax deductable contribution to help build and strenghen the place of WEI on the planet and your support of our environmenal and agricultural justice work.  We honor the mothers all as we honor the Mother Earth and build our strength together.     
DEDICATE A BRICK       POSTING GUIDELINES       FAQ        Questions:  call 651-583-0705

HOW TO:  
1) Dedicate a virtual Mother Brick in honor of your mother, grandmother, or other caring person who has played an important nurturing role in your life. Select Dedicate a Brick.

2) Dedicate a virtual Mother Brick as a personal expression of your support for the ideals of a more just society based on nurturing, nourishing, sustaining and caring for each other and the earth. Select Dedicate a Brick. 

3) View tributes, stories, poems and photographs posted by those who have dedicated a Mother Brick. Select
VIEW TRIBUTES.

4) Learn more about The Mother Brick Project. Select FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) or POSTING  GUIDELINES.

PRINT OUT BROCHURE FOR THE MOTHER BRICK PROJECT.  Share with a friend. 

MOTHER BRICK POSTING GUIDELINES

1. Suggested maximum of 500 words.
2. In preparing content, please keep in mind the theme of the Mother Brick Project and the mission of the Women’s Environmental Institute. Submitted stories, anecdotes, tributes, and/or poetry should be consistent with the aim of honoring the nurturing spirit and compassion for others, fostering a culture of caring for each other and the earth.
3. If submitting poetry, indicate line breaks with a forward slash (/), and note the name of the poet.  Original poetry is encouraged. If poetry is not original, please provide proof of permission for use. 
4. Keep in mind that postings will be viewed by others. Content should not reveal any personal information that you or your honoree would consider private.
5. Content will be reviewed by WEI staff prior to posting. WEI will not edit content, but reserves the right to request changes.
6. You are welcome (and encouraged!) to submit a photograph or artwork to accompany your written submission. Photographs or artwork may be submitted as a digital file, and must be emailed separately to: wei@w-e-i.org. Please put MOTHER BRICK in the subject line, and be sure to include your full name, along with the date that you dedicated a Mother Brick using the on-line form.  WEI will not edit photos or artwork, but reserves the right to request alternate images.
7.  Mother Brick postings can be updated once a quarter during the last week in March, June, September or December.  Send new text and/or photos (jpeg only) along with your instructions  to www@w-e-i.org with subject line: REVISED MOTHER BRICK.  If there are minor edits in the text that you want to change, please make a copy of the entire text and send revised copy of the entire text in your e-mail.  It is best if you send the revisions as an attachment. We cannot go into your text to do micro editing and we cannot accept revisions at any other time  of the year because of considerations for our staff and for the consistency of the Web presentation.

Questions? Please call (651) 583-0705.

CURRENT 2009 NEWSLETTER

BECOME A WEI (NEW or RENEWED) MEMBER  
SNEAK PREVIEW FOR NEW WEI MEMBERS                           

WEI is a  membership-driven organization. We are opening 2010 with a renewed membership drive to help bring in more supporting  members and offer you as members more opportunities to participate in WEI events, planning meetings and happenings.  In addition, WEI offers many optional benefits to members as well as the knowledge that your membership keeps us connected and keeps WEI going.  Check out our membership page for more information.  Encourage yourself and your friends to find a place with WEI. If you are a current member, consider an early renewal in 2010.

Individual memberships @ $48/year and double memberships for you and a friend @ $58/year. Memberships are available
on-line or by mail (send check and your e-mail address(s) to WEI, P.O. Box 128, North Branch, MN 55056). PHOTO: WILL ALLEN WITH WEI/LITTLE EARTH URBAN FARMING PROJECT

We welcome you to a new or renewed 2010 WEI membership. Check out below WEI's programs and projects.  Contact us if you are interested in getting involved in any of these projects or the new ROTC project. We would love to hear from you. 

For more information and updates on WEI's projects and programs:  Farm Program,  EJEAC Research/Community Advocacy, Earth Justice and Sustainability Studies, Eco-Aware Project and Healthy Legacy Coalition, Land Registry Project,  Eco-Retreat Center, Internhship and Fellowship Support, WEI's Wish List. 

WEI welcomes the following interns to the WEI Farm Internship Program: Hans Lindvall, Alicia Murphy, Sara Sanders, Megan McCrumb, Tara McCoy, and Jen Wendland.  We are also welcome Events Coordinator Intern Amelia Rudberg, Girl Farm Project Interns Emma Paskewitz, Molly Gaeckle, and Moriah Peterson, and Organic Farm School intern Hanna Moska, Research Assistant intern Nico Prinzing, and Girl Farm Volunteer Coordinator Randee Emdmundson.

WEI is still looking for other interns to help with various projects and programs.  We would prefer to work with students doing an internship for academic credit at an educational institution but we are also willing to establish an internship opportunity under WEI’s Earth Justice and Sustainability Education Program and Regional Outreach Training Center Project.   

 
(1) Social Network and Webwork Intern.  (unpaid) This internship is to develop WEI’s capacity to operate better electronic communication systems for the organization; includes developing WEI’s website capacities (using Drupal) and may include facebook, wiki, moodle development and other electronic media utilities.  The student applying for this internship should have the requisite skills and be able to train staff to maintain these systems. Available Spring Semester, 2010. Review of applications begins January 15, 2010 and remains open until the position is filled. Intern application.

(2) Nonprofit Administrative Intern. (includes $500 stipend)  This internship is especially designed for a graduate student interested in learning how to manage a small non-profit towards a viable growth curve. You will be included in the hub of high level decision-making and will take on significant responsibilities for fundraising, grant writing, financial management, office infrastructure development, and experience in day-to-day management. Available on flexible terms for a minimum of 4-6 months. Academic credit internships in collaboration with site supervisors on the WEI staff are the best arrangement for this internship, although we are open to other arrangements. Final Project is an evaluation of the organizational development strategies and goals as designed at the beginning of the project.  Review of applications begins January 15, 2010 and remains open until the position is filled. Intern application.

If you have other internship ideas that might be useful to WEI, please contact us at the website or call 651-583-0705.

“Dedicated to the ideals of good water quality in the Sunrise and St. Croix Rivers, the preservation of habitat for native plants and wildlife, and a vibrant rural/farm economy that embraces sustainable agricultural practices.”

The Amador-Sunrise Registry was launched in 2008 to support the conservation efforts of private landowners with property in Amador and Sunrise Townships of Chisago County. An informal membership-based program, the Registry brings together people who share an appreciation for the rural and natural heritage of the area, and are interested in caring for their land in ways that project these values.

Anchored by WEI’s own Amador Hill Retreat Center, the program has grown to include a total of nine properties and over 228 acres. Our 2009 member gatherings were held in community settings: in February at Wild River State Park, and in September at Landscape Alternatives. Participants enjoyed presentations on local ecology and landscaping with native plants (as well as coffee and blueberry pie!). This year, two members enjoyed free “Ecologist Walk-abouts” of their land with program ecologist Tara Kelly— a great chance to find out about their properties’ unique natural features, ask questions, and get ideas for how to achieve their goals. Also this year, buckthorn wrestlers were happy to learn that the Registry has now acquired a “weed wrench” for loan to members. (Go get ‘em).


Heartfelt thanks to those who participated 2009 Registry events, in particular guest speakers Dave Crawford and Roy Robison. We look forward to the Registry year ahead; a chance to learn, to meet more conservation-minded friends and neighbors, a chance to work together to protect the beautiful landscapes of this region.

Landowners in Amador and Sunrise Townships are welcome join this effort.  For more information, contact program coordinator Laurie Allmann at laurie@w-e-i.org. This program operates with funding assistance from Embrace Open Space, which is supported by the McKnight Foundation.

For more information, click here.

GIRL FARM is a new farmer training and entrepreneuership for girls age 10 to grade 10.  We are doing a pilot program this summer and hope to have full funding for a more substantial GIRL FARM program next summer.  Currently WEI is running focus groups at selected schools and organizations serving inner-city youth and will host a Girl Farm Day at WEI on Saturday, April 24.  If you have a school or organization interested in joining the focus group phase of this project, please contact Beth at 651-588-0705. 

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